Austin Social Hour: Helping Hand Home Hosts the Crystal Ball 

Two thousand guests gathered at the Palmer Events Center on Saturday, March 2 for the Helping Hand Society of Austin’s 81st annual Crystal Ball. Chaired by Kerianne Oliver and Jennifer Ramberg, the event featured a full day of festivities, beginning at 10 a.m. with a delicious champagne brunch that featured a video of Helping Hand Home forever families (with the home’s foster-to-adopt program), and the presentation of the ball’s First Grade Princesses, an introduction of the Helping Hand Girls, and the college-aged Debutants.   

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Brittany McKenzie & Mark McKenzie

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Polly Jenkins, Pamela Reichardt, Kerianne Oliver, Katie Sulester & Natalie Sulester

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Cullen Childress, Janice Davis & Chase Belew

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Beth Plater & Tania Leskovar-Owens

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Ron Mullen, Drew Lake & Lynnda Carter Mullen

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Brian Liverman & Stone Liverman

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Jenny McIntyre & Mike McIntyre

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Shelly, Margot & Brent Metschan

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Todd & Jennifer Ramberg

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Top Row: Eloise DeJoria, Justin Harvey, Wendy Harvey & John Paul Dejaria Bottom Row: Eliana & Ella Vivian Harvey

Guests reconvened at 7 p.m. for the event’s hallmark black-tie Debutante Presentation Gala where 9^th grade Helping Hand Home Boys and Girls were also presented. Thousands of elegantly dressed guests reunited with old friends and prepared for more festivities to come. With abundant floral decorations by Westbank Flower Market and debutants dressed in classic white dresses, the Palmer Events Center was transformed into something straight from a fairy tale. 

After a spirited cocktail hour, guests were treated to a delicious meal as debutantes and their escorts were presented one by one. Following the presentation, guests of all ages danced the night away. 

Funds from the evening benefit Helping Hand Home for Children, an organization that has provided a nurturing home for children since 1893. To learn more about Helping Hand Home, visit helpinghandhome.org.