Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Big Black Tie Ball breaks Fundraising Record

Nov. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- Big Brothers Big Sisters is pleased to announce that this year’s Big Black Tie Ball raised more than  a half a million dollars for mentoring initiatives in North Texas. This year’s event broke attendance records with over 650 guests, as well as fundraising dollars ($550,000 this year compared to $500,000 in 2011). The event was held on Saturday, November 10 at the Omni Dallas and featured an intimate acoustic performance by singer-songwriter Jewel.

“There are no words to adequately convey our thanks to everyone that attended and contributed to this year’s event,” says Brian Walker, 2012 Chair of the Big Black Tie Ball. “People came together from all over the area to make a tremendous difference in the lives of North Texas children.”

For every $500 raised at the Gala, Big Brothers Big Sisters will be able to remove one child from its waiting list and match them to a mentor who will provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

The event’s silent and live auctions help raise $200,000. The highlight of the auction was a metal sculpture made by several children that participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. The masterpiece was created under the supervision of this year’s Featured Artist Lezlee Liljenberg and was sold for an impressive $8,000.

The Gala’s title sponsor was the ORIX Foundation, contributing $50,000 to the organization. The entertainment sponsor was UPS ($25,000); the reception sponsor was Frito Lay ($10,000); guest gift sponsor was Rent-A-Center ($15,000); and signage sponsor was FASTSIGNS ($10,000). The event’s media partner was CBS 11/TXA 21. Additional top sponsors included the T. Boone Pickens Foundation ($25,000), Stephanie and Hunter Hunt ($10,000), Stacey and Billy Quinn ($10,000) and Anne and Rob Raymond ($10,000).

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring organization, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success; avoidance of risky behaviors; and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships.  Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course.  

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.  This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 85-year history. In North Texas, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves over 30,000 children volunteers and families through 20 offices and over 100 counties in Texas. To learn more or donate, call 888.887.BIGS or visit www.bbbstx.org.