Irving Healthcare Foundation’s TexasFest Gala

On Saturday May 1st, after 2 days of non-stop studying for my final exams, I took a break for the evening to attend Irving Healthcare Foundation’s TexasFest Gala. It was held at Eddie Dean’s Ranch in Dallas.

When Alex and I arrived we were greeted by a lady who had actually lived in Irving her whole life and competed for the title of Miss Irving many year ago! She was very excited to meet me and tell me about her experiences with pageants. We then proceeded to the silent auction where I was giving a computer that looked more like a small flat screen television. Someone briefed me about the machine and sent me on my way. The computer was pretty neat in that it kept track of all of the live auction bids and you could actually bid from the computer. There were pictures and descriptions of each item as well. Each attendee was given a “bidding card” and they could scan the card to check the status of their current bids. The only downside to this machine was that it was rather fickle and also that my arm got quiet a workout after carrying it around all night.

I think I played more with the computer trying to make it work than I actually got people to bid but I did get to talk to a great deal of people who were actually from Irving which was neat for me. They enjoyed hearing about my year as Miss Irving and about my upcoming competition in July. They all wished me luck and it felt good to know that the city of Irving supports me as I vie for the title of Miss Texas this summer! Diamond Rio also played a concert later in the evening, however, Alex and I left when the auction closed and made the long trek back down I-30 towards Fort Worth.

Toast To Life Gala

The Toast To Life Gala, held at Fashion Industry Gallery in Downtown Dallas was an event attended by over 800 people. Since it began in 1999, this event has raised over $2,100,000. Many of Dallas’ most prominent chefs showed up to cook up their “latest culinary creations” .

Additionally there was a huge silent auction as well as a live auction at the end of the evening. All of the proceeds went to benefit the Resource Center Dallas. RCD provides critical assistance to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. They serve 12 counties across North Texas and provide services. They also offer many community programs including:

Health Insurance Premium and Co-Pay Assistance, Oral Health Care, Nutrition Programs, an HIV/AIDS Helpline, treatment education, and other services designed to empower and support community members living with HIV/AIDS. I sold raffle tickets for a trip for two to New York City and I had a great time talking to the attendees about my platform as well as the Miss Texas Pageant this July and all that I will have to do to prepare.