United TRIBUTE emcees Marty Rivers and Jill Jester present Mirrorball Trophies to Jordan McDowell and Keith Pierce
DENTON, TX (Jan 22, 2018) – More than 620 people filled the ballroom at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center on Saturday night to celebrate United Way of Denton County and its 2017 successes. In addition to recognizing several organizations and individuals for their dedication to United Way’s mission to improve lives in Denton County, a $2.3 million campaign total was announced and two community dancers were crowned Champions of “Dancing with Our Stars.”
The festive evening’s agenda interspersed poignant award designations with energetic dancing by a troupe of community volunteer dancers. The highlight of the night brought owner and publisher of the Denton Record-Chronicle, Bill Patterson, to the stage to accept the 2018 Dr. Bettye Myers Humanitarian Award amidst a standing ovation from the crowd. During his acceptance speech, Bill quickly reflected the spotlight to his father, Fred, for instilling in Bill a philanthropic passion. Other awardees of the night included: Ready Rosie – Better Tomorrow Award; Peterbilt – Community Spirit Award, Denton Housing Authority – LIVE UNITED Award; Orison Holdings – Creating Lasting Change Award, City of Lewisville – Advancing the Common Good Award, and finally, the Chairman’s Choice Award which was given to three companies: Merki & Associates, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital and First State Bank.
United Way of Denton County also shined the light on their Alexis de Tocqueville Society, a prestigious group of individuals who improve the lives of thousands in Denton County by making a gift of $10,000 or more to United
United TRIBUTE Way. Seven new Tocqueville members were inducted: Fleur de Lis Members: Rob & Kathy Seay, Dr. Carine Feyten & Chad Wick, and Ellen & David Painter, Sapphire Members: Zach & Monica Glenn and Cheryl & Joe Hutchison, and Emerald Members : The Charldean Newell Estate and The Patterson Family. In addition, four inaugural Tocqueville members were recognized for stepping up to new giving levels: Ernie & Barbara McCraw to Sapphire Members ($25,000-$49,999), Dr. Bettye Myers to Emerald Member ($50,000-$99,999), and Mark Merki to Diamond Member ($100,000-$999,999).
Lyle Dresher, United Way of Denton County Board Chair, summed up the evening when he said, “Tonight is a celebration! The incredible support and involvement from everyone in this room, and many others, has translated into some exciting successes for the rapidly growing Denton County in 2017.”
A new element to the evening was “Live from the Blue Carpet” hosted by Dentonite Jake Laughlin of DentonRadio.com, a video segment giving viewers an inside look at the 6th Annual United TRIBUTE. Jake talked to several key players of the night including Jeff Pritts, General Manager of the Embassy Suites, Bill Patterson, Humanitarian awardee, Gary Henderson, United Way of Denton County President and CEO, dancers, and Tribute attendees. Sprinkled between interviews the audience got a glimpse of past event dancers cutting it up on the dance floor. View the “Live from the Blue Carpet” video.
The featured entertainment of the evening was the crowd-favorite “Dancing with Our Stars” showcasing nine couples from Denton County who volunteered countless hours to learn three dances under the direction of Gladys Keeton, Professor Emeritus of Dance at Texas Woman’s University. After the ballots from the crowd were tabulated, the winners of the coveted Mirrorball Trophies were Jordan McDowell and Keith Pierce, a Marketing Rep and Escrow Officer, respectively, with Title Resources.