The warm December weather couldn’t stop 300 plus guests at the SPCA of Texas’ Jingle and Mingle Housewarming Party from donning their tackiest holiday sweaters, jackets and suits and getting into the spirit of the season on Sunday, December 8, 2018 at NorthPark Center. SPCA of Texas supporters enjoyed a lighthearted evening while celebrating the 29th annual Home for the Holidays event.
The joyful bunch chatted and enjoyed the laidback ambiance, examining 24 custom-made luxury dog houses and cat condos that were up for silent auction. All while enjoying delightful nibbles, including fresh veggie baguettes, tomato basil and fresh mozzarella skewers and petit focaccia bites with shaved honey ham, to name a few, and sipping on the signature drink of the evening, Merry Berry Pooch Punch, which featured Jameson Whiskey, cranberry juice, ginger beer, cranberries and fresh rosemary, all from Preston Hollow Catering. As guests nibbled and sipped, DJ Mark Cutz from Radiodjs.com played an awesome variety of party music, and even throw in some favorite holiday classics.
The architectural wonders were built by AIA Dallas and TEXO, The Construction Association members for the annual Bark + Build luxury Dog House/Design Competition. Competition Chair Jordan Ortiz and Chair Emeritus Mary Butler announced the winners, with the “Fetch House” taking home the Top Dog (People’s Choice) Award for receiving the most votes online. It was designed by CallisonRTKL and constructed by AECOM Hunt. Also, “TranquiliTea House,” designed by Leo Daly and constructed by Batson Cook, won the Best in Show Award.
Emcee Donovan Lewis from Sportsradio 1310 AM/96.7 FM The Ticket, kicked off the evening thanking everyone for their support of the annual event and informing the audience that since Home for the Holidays started 29 years ago, over 10,000 animals have found their forever homes. He called out another guest for having his personal favorite tackiest sweater of the evening, adding that he love it because it was the exact same one he had on…featuring a reindeer, sporting sunglasses, with lights on its antlers that said “Let it Glow!”
Lewis then introduced Debra Burns, SPCA of Texas’ Senior Vice President for Development, who thanked everyone for coming, inviting them to bid high on the pet houses and make a gift to help the SPCA of Texas care for North Texas’ neediest pets and introducing Mrs. Joan Rogers. Rogers said a few words of thanks, and, in a sweet moment of holiday merriment, Burns led an impromptu holiday sing along!
Sincere thanks to NorthPark Center for hosting the Home for the Holidays Bark + Build competition and Adoption Pavilion, and to AIA Dallas, and TEXO, The Construction Association for their generous support, creativity, and friendship in making Bark + Build possible. So far, the SPCA of Texas’ Home for the Holidays event has raised more than $87,000 to support the SPCA of Texas’ mission to provide every animal with exceptional care and a loving home. The event comes to a close on December 23rd, when the Adoption Pavilion run ends.
The SPCA of Texas sincerely thanks special donors, Bark + Build Lane Sponsor: Dr. Larry and Mrs. Joan Rogers; Companion Courtyard Sponsor: Hill's Pet Nutrition, as well as our Home for the Holidays Sponsors: Guaranty Bank and Trust, Jameson Black Barrel, North Texas Cheddarheads, Sewell Automotive Companies, VCA Animal Hospitals, Pet Supermarket, and Barefoot Wine.
Guests included: Russell E. Dealey, Mrs. Joan Rogers, Mary Spencer, Karen Urie, Marsha Pendleton-Gray and Dr. Richard Gray, Patricia Villareal and Tom Leatherbury, Mike and Catherine Merritt, Sandra and Colin Fite, Robert Dombrowski, Rick and Beverly Fetterman, Judge Clay Jenkins, Jody Jones, Denise Wallace, Bill Driscoll, Mary Butler, Jordan Ortiz and Cathy Boldt.