As 1996 Underwriting Chairman, Carolyn Bender’s greatest reward has been her achievement in raising the most dollars ever in the 23-year history of the Cattle Baron s Ball.
The Cattle Baron s charity operates in an increasingly competitive environment. “Many have worthy causes,” Carolyn stresses, “but there’s only so many dollars to go around.” This year, however, all the pieces fell into place. Bolstered by loyal supporters and a healthy influx of new support, the Cattle Baron’s Ball, with an estimated attendance of 2,000, has generated more underwriting dollars than ever toward finding a cure for cancer.
Carolyn attributes this year’s success to several drawing cards, including an unusual opportunity to see Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings perform together, along with the strong Texas connection to the classic movie Giant. The participation of another Texas institution, Neiman Marcus, also drew valuable support to the cause. “The Cattle Baron’s Ball is going to be a fun event for people of all ages,” Carolyn says, With the world premiere re-release of Giant, donors have the added opportunity to witness history in the making.
To ensure Cattle Baron’s enduring success, Carolyn plans to strengthen ties with national affiliations while intensifying the pursuit for corporate funding. “Raising money for cancer research,” Carolyn points out, “is something everyone can take a personal interest in.”