Uptown's Savor Gastropub’s outside patio was the perfect urban oasis for Mercury One’s American Cowboy M1Ball kick-off party with founders and hosts Tania and Glenn Beck and special surprise guests Kim and Aaron Watson, who jetted in from Abilene for the special event.
Executive Chef John Coleman and his team served sumptuous hors d’oeuvres from savory to sweet throughout the evening as guests were buzzing about the pending announcements by Park Cities resident Suzanne Bock Grishman, Mercury One’s executive director.
Spotted in the crowd were Brad Staggs, Beth Knott, D’Andra Simmons Lock and Jeremy Lock, Ashley Berges, and more.
Suzanne welcomed everyone saying, “Mercury One is a humanitarian aid and education organization focused on restoring the human spirit,” and explained the initiatives and programs the foundation supports, including most recently sponsoring the Dallas Film Society’s High School Roundtables in the 2016 through 2017 academic year, their High School Day and Stand to Honor in Dallas honoring veterans. Mercury One’s initiatives include providing programs to individuals to advance the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for communities to help themselves as well as assisting our nation’s veterans, providing aid to those in crisis, and rebuilding and restoring the lives of Christians and other persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East.
A rousing round of applause followed the mission statement as Suzanne announced the M1Ball American Cowboy happens on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Eddie Deen’s Ranch in Dallas. Guests are encouraged to dress in cowboy chic and join honorary chairs Gina and Ken Betts, hosts Tanya and Glenn Beck and enjoy dancing to one of today’s finest torch-bearers of real country music, singer and Texas native, Aaron Watson.
Sponsors and patrons at certain levels will be treated to a VIP reception and then join in the party as everyone enjoys delicious vittles as only Eddie Deen’s can do, live and silent auctions of priceless experiences and one-of-a-kind treats, and dance the night away. Gena and Chuck Norris are Honorary Chairs Emeritus, along with The Vinyard Family. Media partners are PaperCity and The Park Cities News.
Mercury One founder Glenn Beck was welcomed to the podium and as a hush fell over the crowd, he shared stories about rescuing Christian families in Iraq and Syria and as major partner with his Nazarene Fund, also taking care of their transition to safety. He said later this year there will be an announcement about a major education initiative, as the crowd stood and gave a resounding ovation.
Glenn thanked Aaron Watson who said he is excited about the November 18 event and honored to be involved with Mercury One, “As good Samaritans around the globe, their talk is backed up with actions that change the world.”
Individual Tickets are $200. VIP tickets are $500. Host Committee is $1,500 for two tickets. Sponsorship opportunities are $7,500-$100,000. Find out more at mercuryone.org/m1ball or contact Michael Powell, Director of Development at 972-499-4747 or mpowell@MercuryOne.org
Featured Performer: Aaron Watson is a country singer whose 17-year career spans a dozen albums and more than 2,500 shows in the U.S. and Europe. His new album, Vaquero, is a bold album that confidently draws from Texas’ storied musical melting pot: dancehall shuffles, dustbowl narratives, Tejano and more fill the record. In writing the new album, Watson felt especially drawn to the idea of the vaquero, the original Spanish horseman that set the foundation for the North American cowboy, a solitary figure with a legendary work ethic. Aaronwatson.com
North Texas and other beneficiaries of Mercury One include: Mercury One is a 501(c)(3) foundation based in Dallas, Texas. Mercury One is a Humanitarian Aid and Education organization focused on restoring the human spirit. Mercury One’s initiatives include providing programs to individuals to advance the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for communities to help themselves as well as assisting our nation’s veterans, providing aid to those in crisis, and rebuilding and restoring the lives of Christians and other persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East.
Mercury One’s The Nazarene Fund has directly assisted over 22,000 Christian and other persecuted religious minorities displaced by ISIS in the Middle East by evacuating them to safe havens and providing for their needs.
Other initiatives include supporting O.U.R. (Operation Underground Railroad) paving the way for permanent eradication of child sex trafficking; Folds of Honor/Stand To Honor in Dallas 2017; Dallas Film Society’s High School Roundtable events and High School Day 2016-2017; 22 Kill-veteran suicide prevention; Team Rubicon-disaster recovery in Rowlett, Garland, Baton Rouge, and Houston; S.E.E.D.-trauma support and counseling in Iraq; F.A.R.M.-agricultural therapy for veterans living with PTSD and depression; City of Glenn Heights-disaster relief; Recovery Resource Council; Irving Cares; La Buena Vida Youth Leadership Foundation; Boot Campaign; Operation BBQ; Sons of the Flag; Minnie’s Food Pantry; Soupmobile; Irving AMBUCS; Catholic Charities; Chris Kyle Foundation; and Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
Mercury One has expanded its partnership with veterans’ organizations to fund educational, psychological and employment training as well as hosted celebrations to honor them for their sacrifice and dedication. Mercury One has provided its partners in Israel with first responder rescue “ambucycles,” and increased its collection of historical and religious artifacts.
In 2016 over $200,000 was donated to the Assist the Officer Foundation benefiting the families of fallen officers in Dallas following the fatal shooting July 7, 2016.
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