Miss A Columnist

Dena Miller is described by Style Network as a "Queen Bee". Formerly a glam rock scene Diva, Dena is now a Socialite on the Dallas philanthropy scene, specializing in Polo events that benefit women's and children's causes. .
While never forgetting her small town roots from a Midwestern farming community in rural Missouri, she’s fit right in the “Big D” since coming here in 1984. After 11 years of promoting the music scene, hobnobbing with the most popular bands from coast to coast, she switched gears after meeting her husband at the first Polo match she ever attended. Always one for excitement, Polo became her new rock n roll.
With her marriage and new found passion for polo, came Philanthropy. Miller founded the Ladies Polo Auxiliary of Texas in 2005 with the goal of promoting the Sport of Kings in north Texas via charity events for causes that are close to her heart. To date the LPA has raised over $500,000 for causes such as domestic violence, children with serious medical needs, therapeutic horsemanship, the Polo Training Foundation, children’s advocacy and food drives for north Texas food Bank. When not working on her own events she is attending Charity luncheons and balls as well as volunteering at golf tournaments and Special Olympics events. She is a member of the USPA Equine Welfare committee and on Board of Dress For Succes Dallas.

Writing has been a lifetime passion of Dena’s. Besides working on a book that proceeds will benefit domestic violence organizations, and writing for two national polo magazines, is a frequent contributor to Dallas area publications, winning Best Contributor Award from Dallas Morning News Neighborsgo, she is co-authoring a book on the phenomenon of cyber bullying by adult women, referred to as Cyber Harrassment. Please take the Anti Cyber bullying Pledge at www.causes.com/actions/1671776#
“If you have a Dallas charity or cultural event, restaurant, boutique, spa, or salon you would like covered on Miss A, please contact Dena at dena.miller@askmissa.com.

Recap: 4th Annual Gala Raises $240,000 For MakeAWay Charities In Dallas

Hard Days Night with Jill Wellwig and Jay Hellwig

Beatles tribute band Hard Day’s Night with MakeAWay Charities director of development Jill Hellwig and executive director Jay Hellwig (Photo Credit: Jason Janik)

On October 27, more than 400 people attended the Get Groovy with MakeAWay Charities‘ 4th annual gala at the Westin Galleria. With Pat and Emmitt Smith as honorary chairs, the 60s-themed event featured entertainment by internationally top-rated Beatles tribute band Hard Day’s Night and 60s-themed dancing by Arthur Murray Dance Studios. La Madeleine founder Patrick Esquerre temporarily took over as auctioneer, drumming up excitement for a fully customized dream trip to Paris with him as the guide, including a trip on his personal yacht. As the bidding on the trip appeared to be winding down at $15,000, Esquerre surprised the room when he offered the top two bidders both the chance to win a trip, doubling the donations to $30,000 for the charity.

Holly and Chris Lewis

Holly and Chris Lewis (Photo Credit: Jason Janik)

Before the band took the stage, founders Mike and Kathy Hayes and executive director Jay Hellwig hosted a speed-donating round of “Fund a Need” where they read excerpts from 20 financial assistance applications from struggling families. Individuals donated nearly $10,000 in 10 minutes to fully fund those 20 requests for energy, rent and medical bill assistance. The silent and live auction raised $90,000. Combining that with sponsorships and ticket sales, a total of $240,000 was donated to this amazing organization.

Hard Days Night

Hard Days Night takes the stage with ‘Help! I Need somebody” (Photo Credit: Jason Janik)

Donors and sponsors of this year’s Get Groovy Gala benefiting MakeAWay Charities include: Generational Equity (title), Metroplex Pain Management, la Madeleine and Covenant Church (presenting sponsors), P.M. Standley Motors, PhotoStat, Jason Montgomery DDS and Uptown Enterprises. Since the organization’s founding in 2008, MakeAWay Charities has assisted more than 1,000 families in North Texas, including helping more than 800 families avoid foreclosure and eviction. More than 95 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to families in need. The support allows families to stay in their homes, get vehicle repairs so they can transport children to school and commute to work, and not have to choose between keeping electricity or getting needed medical help.

Get Groovy with MakeAWay Charities

Get Groovy guests Twist and shout on the dance floor.(Photo Credit: Jason Junik)

Related Articles:

2 comments to Recap: 4th Annual Gala Raises $240,000 For MakeAWay Charities In Dallas

  • Dena Miller

    The event was spectacular but what Makeaway Charities does is even moreso!

  • Congratulations on such an accomplishment! This 'triple mentor bonus': helping sponsor the event, partnering with Make a Way Foundation, and the unmatched satisfaction of lives being touch with your help! Well done good and faithful servant!

Leave a Reply

  

  

  

You can use these HTML tags

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>