Get to Know…Leslie Diers with The Crystal Charity Ball

Please explain The Crystal Charity Ball’s mission and how you got involved with the organization.

The Crystal Charity Ball is a fundraising organization whose sole purpose is to aid, support, and contribute to agencies in Dallas County that benefit children. Each year, through an extensive research process, we select non-profit agencies to partner with to help raise funds for new and expanding programs the agency is seeking funding for. I had known of Crystal Charity all of my life, and my mother was an active member for about twenty years. I always hoped I would have the opportunity to be a part of this amazing organization.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I was born and raised in Dallas and graduated from The Hockaday School and Trinity University. I worked in retail for 25 years in my family’s business. We had ladies’ clothing stores around the metroplex and actually had a location in Highland Park Village in the 1960s and 1970s. After “retiring,” I began spending my time volunteering and fundraising and became a member of Crystal Charity in 2010.

What makes The Crystal Charity Ball so special and impactful to the Dallas community?

Philanthropy is part of the culture of Dallas, and it has always been in the DNA of our great city. Crystal Charity tries to make it easy for our donors to support us. Our donors trust the Crystal Charity research process and know that we have thoroughly vetted each project we bring before them. We place a Crystal Charity member on the Board of every organization we fundraise for to follow the money and assure that it is being spent as it was intended.

What do you enjoy most about being a part of The Crystal Charity Ball organization?

Our Charity Selection process is the heart and soul of what we do. Being a part of that committee and learning of all the creative programming and services agencies in our city are providing is truly awe-inspiring. The people running and working in these agencies are the true heroes, spending every day trying to improve the lives of those in need. Each year as we listen to the stories and the impact our city’s non-profits are having on children’s lives makes us wish we could fundraise for every one of the programs that come before us.

How does support from community partners like Highland Park Village help The Crystal Charity Ball have a greater impact?

The Crystal Charity Ball and Highland Park Village have a very long and successful history of partnering together to raise awareness for our Beneficiaries each year. Endorsements from philanthropic community partners like Highland Park Village only strengthens and broadens our outreach and enable us to have a greater impact. We are very fortunate to be among the many non-profits that Highland Park Village supports each year. Because we have their support, many Village retailers donate to our silent auction, which is a huge bonus for us to receive such luxurious and special items to help with our fundraising.

What are some ways people in North Texas can get involved with The Crystal Charity Ball?

We are a fundraising organization, so there are many different ways people can give to Crystal Charity, depending on how and what works best for them. We raise money through our Silent Auction, our Children’s Book, Contribution Tickets (a key item for us this year is a $20,000 shopping spree at Highland Park Village. You could be the lucky winner!), and through Underwriting. All of this information can be found on our website: www.crystalcharityball.org. We welcome everyone to get involved and help us achieve our fundraising goals for our eight Beneficiaries this year.

Crystal Charity Ball 2021 Beneficiaries:

• Baylor Scott & White Foundation
• Café Momentum
• Dallas Casa
• Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
• Dallas Symphony Association, Inc.
• Network of Community Ministries
• Phoenix House Texas
• Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

Lastly, where would we most likely find you in Highland Park Village?

You would most likely find me at Café Pacific. It is truly a Dallas institution with an atmosphere that’s hard to beat, great food, and most importantly, welcoming and professional waiters, bartenders and staff. It’s hard to find a better place to spend the evening than at one of the bar tables or on the beautiful patio.

Highland Park Village is proud to spotlight our very own dynamic personalities and community partners in the Village Voices series. Get to know our past features.