Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!enterpoop.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.life From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Tex-Mex fiesta fills Red Cross coffers Date: Tue, 24 Nov 92 14:12:10 EST Message-ID: Lines: 75 \SE E;LIFE;ABOUT TOWN \HD Tex-Mex fiesta fills Red Cross coffers \BY Jeffrey Staggs \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES It's generally not a good sign when more than 600 Red Cross volunteers come together. But there was no disaster at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium Saturday night, just this year's annual fund-raising ball. The hall's neoclassical decor had to be camouflaged - ever so slightly - to accommodate this year's theme, "A Night in Old San Antonio." After entering the pristine lobby and donning a sombrero or cowboy hat to the accompaniment of a strolling mariachi band, partygoers found themselves sipping margaritas in a simulated Mexican border town nestled under the ornate auditorium's vaulted ceiling. Local Mexican and "Santa Fe chic" restaurants served house specialties from "huts" specially constructed to look dilapidated, and a corral was set up in front of the stage to delineate clearly where the Texas two-stepping was to take place. Later, the Dixie Chicks, a country-western band from Dallas, gave the crowd music to cut a rug to. Although no buffalo roamed and the skies were cloudy all day, the fiesta was a Texas-sized success. Anyone who didn't dress up - or is that down? - in jeans, boots and a cowboy hat looked as out of place as a mule in a pigpen. Volunteers and staffers gave credit for the western theme to Liz Pickens Cordia (daughter of Amarillo oilman and corporate raider T. Boone Pickens), whose full cowpoke regalia was as undeniably authentic as her Texas drawl. Mrs. Cordia heads the Friends of Red Cross with local businessman F. Davis Camalier and Julia Ward Mailliard, stalwarts of a group that raises funds for the local chapter and plans the annual blowout. American Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole raved about the food and costumes but took time to speak seriously about the organization's historic mission and the obstacles it faces. The 111-year-old organization responded to a record 55,000 disasters last year - including 230 fires in Washington - and has raised $125 million this year for victims, she said, adding, "This was before [Hurricanes] Andrew and Iniki." Despite its visibility and well-known track record, the Red Cross often has difficulty raising funds. "People think that because we're an old, established organization, we don't need money," said Betty Callahan, director of the office of public support for the National Capital Chapter, which includes the District and Fairfax County. The Washington event is always a major success, and this year's was no exception. Mr. Camalier estimated the total take for the night at $150,000, an improvement over last year despite the recession. Among the 600 guests contributing to this year's success were CNN correspondent Peter Arnett, Prince Kardam of Bulgaria (the eldest son and heir of ex-King Simeon of Bulgaria), musician-turned-restaurateur Bill Danoff, Peter Arundel, polo player Joe Muldoon Jr., Robert and Gigi Ourisman, Ed and Dana Tydings, Christine Dolan, David Osterlund and Granger Whitelaw. Included in the large array of items up for bid in the crowded silent-auction room were a "corporate finance dinner" with T. Boone Pickens (which sold for $600) and career counseling dates with executives from five major national headhunting firms. One observer noted that there must have been a large number of junior lame-duck political appointees among the guests, judging by the way the bids accumulated. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM