Jan. 28, 2016

Drive the Dream’s ‘Night of Wonderment’

Top, left to right, décor by White House Design Studio; co-chairs Erika Williams, Char Hubble and Deborah Pshebniski; Cheryl Ladd and Arizona first lady Angela Ducey. Bottom, Bob and Pat Bondurant; Richard Stephenson, Dr. Stacie Stephenson and Michael Bolton; Yvonne Fedderson, John O'Hurley and Sara O'Meara

With silk butterflies in florals, lighted butterflies projected on walls throughout the Arizona Biltmore ballroom and rich jewel tones on tables and suspended over the dance floor, Drive the Dream organizers created a “Night of Wonderment” for the Jan.23 event to support Childhelp. The theme reflected the idea that butterflies, like children, transform before they take flight.

From the entrance through the collector cars of the Arizona Concours d’Elegance to the first strains of Michael Bolton singing “When a Man Loves a Woman,” guests were awed by the magical setting. Dennis Thompson, White House Design Studio, created low and high displays of brightly colored florals atop spring green tablecloths. Suspended over the dance floor a circular canopy of greens with jewel-tone balls dazzled with ever-changing lighting, from green to blue to fuchsia.

The evening honored Pat and Bob Bondurant with the Spirit of the Children Award, SEMA Cares with the Nellie Jackson Award and Reba McEntire with the Woman of the World Award. McEntire was unable to attend because of the snowstorm that gripped the eastern part of the country. In addition, 14 individuals and organizations were recognized with Hero Awards.

Erika Williams, Char Hubble and Deborah Pshebniski co-chaired the sold-out party, which netted $1.25 million for the programs and services of Childhelp, founded by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson in 1959. The total included $100,000 raised Jan. 27 at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction from the sale of a customized 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited presented by SEMA Cares. Carol and Jim Hebets were the event vice-chairs, and Dr. Stacie and Richard Stephenson were the honorary chairs.

Actress Melissa Peterman served as the evening’s emcee. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Foundation for Global Sports Development were the presenting sponsors.

HAUTE PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY