Margarita Ball

The Dallas Margarita Ball is a charity event hosted by The Dallas Margarita Society. The event, which is entering its 36th year, is the world's largest black tie invite only gala in the world. It occupies 3 floors of Sheraton Hotel (previously known as The Adam's Mark Hotel) in Downtown Dallas. The "Party With a Purpose" is held to benefit the Dallas Children's Charities. To date over $4,000,000 in toys and donations have been collected to help at-risk children that might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas. 11,000+ people were in attendance at the 35th ball held on November 19, 2011. Last years's event had 12,000 people in attendance, receiving 10,000 toys, was held on November 10th, 2012. This year's event will be held on November 23rd, 2013.

The Dallas Margarita Society, Inc., (d.b.a. Dallas Children's Charities) was formed in 1977 when a small group of business acquaintances decided to host a holiday party for associates and friends, and asked their guests to bring Christmas gifts for less fortunate children. DMS/DCC is a non-profit charitable organization whose goals are twofold. The first is to provide disadvantaged Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex children with gifts at Christmas time and the second is to help those community organizations that work directly with underprivileged children throughout the year. Its annual Dallas Margarita Ball has grown over the years and is now believed to be the largest annual invitation only charity black tie gala in the world, with over 11,000 guests, providing gifts for more than 7,000 disadvantaged children each year. Since 1977, DMS/DCC and its volunteers have contributed over one million hours of community service and more than 155,000 toys and gifts valued at m ore than $3,500,000. In 2008 alone, over $654,150 in toys and cash was donated to "at risk" youth in North Texas and the charities and organizations which work with them on a regular basis.

DMS/DCC is unique in that it has no paid staff and no fixed overhead – all officers, directors, members, and directors emeritus serve on a volunteer basis. DMS/DCC achieves its goals by hosting social fundraising networking events throughout the year, an annual golf tournament in early summer and the Dallas Margarita Ball early in the holiday season. Guests at the Dallas Margarita Ball are encouraged to bring toys or sponsor gifts with cash. Additionally, individual and corporate sponsorships are solicited, and through sponsors' generosity DMS/DCC provides operating support and scholarships to numerous community organizations. All DMS/DCC fund-raising activities and events, and all supported charitable organizations are located within the DFW Metroplex.

The Dallas Margarita Society /Dallas Children's Charities is not trying to be the biggest charity in North Texas, but a charity that does big things, in small ways, every day.

The Fort Worth Margarita Charity Ball is hosted by Children's Charities of Fort Worth. This black tie event is entering its 20th year anniversary. It occupies the GRAND Ballroom at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Thousands of toys are collected at each annual Ball to benefit the underprivileged children in this community. In addition to collected toys at the Ball, fundraisers are held all year long for back-to-school needs (backpacks, supplies and clothes), as well as medical equipment (wheelchairs), immunizations and so much more. The Fort Worth Margarita Charity Ball hosts approximately 2,500 guests, with dinner served and free margaritas. The 2008 event will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008. It's fun and it's necessary!!