Annual Top Hat & Tails Gala
Breaks Record Fundraising Goal!

Paws in the City broke fund-raising records at its third annual sold-out gala, Top Hats & Tails, held at the Frontiers of Flight Museum on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

This year’s theme was a dedication to the 1950’s, and many guests arrived wearing outfits from that era. In addition to a seated dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, the main event - the Top Hat & Tails’ dance competition - paired local celebrities with Arthur Murray dance instructors ala Dancing With The Stars. The female contestants wore dazzling costumes actually worn by Jenni Garth, Cheryl Burke, Kim Johnson and Mel B. on the ABC hit show.

The evening’s mission is to raise funds to rescue dogs and cats set to be euthanized at the city’s shelters as well as from Dallas streets. The funds will be used for medical, boarding, training and spay/neuter. And the $20,000 matching grant for the Medical Assistance Fund from Sam and Cheryl Wyly was matched at Top Hat & Tails!

Event Host Cowboys Great Preston Pearson announced the winner of the competition as last year's winner, Laurie Phillips, gave the the Lucy Award, to Michelle Witten, wife of Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Witten. Michelle said, “I cannot express what an amazing experience it was to be a part of Top Hat and Tails. Everyone at the event spoke about how much fun they had and couldn't wait to come again next year. To be able to learn to ballroom dance and perform on stage for a great cause was outstanding!”

Other celebrity dancers competing in the 2010 competition included:
* Carly Patterson, all-around Olympic gold medallist in gymnastics, 2004 Olympics
* Dee Lincoln, co-founder, The Dinghy, Del Frisco’s, Dee Lincoln’s Tasting Room & Bubble Bar
* Richard Chamberlain, chef and proprietor, Chamberlain’s Restaurants
* Garry Seith, CBS 11 meteorologist
* Jocelyn White, award-winning Texas TV and radio personality
* Brendan Higgins, television anchor and personality
* Kim Fischer, reporter for NBC 5

Dancer Carly Patterson had this to say, "I had a blast and that was one of the most unique and fun charity events I've ever been apart of!"

Just like Dancing With The Stars, the dancers were judged by a combination of gala guests’ votes and an esteemed panel of judges: radio personality Kellie Rasberry, former Dallas Cowboy and five-time Super Bowl winner Charles Haley, and Claudia Marshall, owner of Arthur Murray Dallas. The master of ceremonies and co-host for the evening was Scott Murray.

Holly Forsythe, co-owner of Sambuca and animal advocate, was presented the St. Francis of Assisi Award by Founders of Paws In The City, Becky Haisma and Tara Harper for “her dedication to helping the homeless animals of this community.”

Top Dog Sponsors of the evening were Nancy C. and Richard Rogers and American Dog Rescue. Esteemed guests of the evening included Wade Phillips, Diane and Daryl Johnston and Jason Witten. Last years contestants, Gina Miller, Angie Barrett, Jack Lindstrom, Dr. Erwin Cruz and Becky Nguyen also attended.

“ Top Hats & Tails is often called one of the most fun and entertaining events in Dallas. The reason is the synergy of the Paws In The City mission of ending neglect and abuse to animals combined with watching celebrities, who are not professional dancers, become so competitive and give it their all to win! And the personalities of the judges keep you laughing. Attending business leaders and celebrity guests in the crowd make it a great networking and people-watching evening,“ said Honorary Chairwoman Andrea Alcorn.

Honorees:
Barking Hound Village, Toothacres, Urban Paws, Tailwaggers, WUF, Kinder Kritter, Boarding Bungalow and Bikerdogz Dog Training were presented awards for their dedication to Paws In The City for boarding and training dogs.

Honorary Chairs: Samantha Reid, Andrea Alcorn and Nancy Latner
Event Chair: Becky Haisma
Vice Chair: Tina Fairbanks

Did you know??? Top Hat & Tails brings in the most revenue for Paws in the City each year! We'll see you next year on June 11, 2011! Come and join in on the all the fun!

If you are interested in sponsoring in 2011, please contact Becky at bhaisma@gmail.com

Click HERE to see more pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pawsinthecity/sets/72157624162074841/

I cannot tell you how much positive feedback I have gotten from the event. We had a photographer there and we have run the video over and over – it’s wildly popular. So many people told me this might have become the new “most fun” event in Dallas. It was SUCH a good time. I had the time of my life and then some. What an absolutely fabulous experience on every single level!
Gina Miller, CBS 11 Sportscaster and Celebrity Dancer

I wanted to let you know that the event was AWESOME! You did such a great job and we all had such a great time. I have heard numerous people say that it was the single most fun charity event they have ever been to!
Katy Messersmith of Katydid Collection, Top Sponsor

My experience with Top Hats and Tails was nothing short of fabulous. It was so much fun to learn the dance and then to perform it on stage was such a thrill! The audience was so warm and accepting. I would certainly recommend to anyone to say "yes" to dancing next year. All that and helping Paws in the City at the same time, you can’t go wrong.
Laurie Phillips, Wife of Head Coach Wade Phillips of the Dallas Cowboys & Dancer

Thank you for letting me participate. I had a blast. You sure know how to throw a party!
Jeremy Anderson, Contestant on The Bachelorette TV Show and Celebrity Dancer

Thank you for everything. It was an honor to be a small part of your event. Congratulations on pulling off an amazing evening.
Jack Lindstrom, Radio Sports Personality and Celebrity Dancer

Congratulations on a fabulous fundraiser. Our guests enjoyed themselves and wondered what you could do to top this next year! Another feather in your hat for a lovely evening!
Julie McKinney Bown, Annual Sponsor

I get asked to participate in many charity events, and Top Hats and Tails is one I truly look forward to every year. When you find a way to combine the love of animals with dancing, how can you go wrong? I love that the celebrity dancers take it so seriously and the audience shows them so much love and support. It's a fun event for a fabulous cause.
Kellie Rasberry, Radio personality and Annual Judge at Top Hat & Tails