The 2018 Boys and Girls Club Chrysalis Ball Raised Over $1 Million

The 2018 Chrysalis Ball was a huge success for the children of Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County (BGCCC). This year’s event – their largest fundraiser ever – was held Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Frisco Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center with almost 1,000 attendees, volunteers and staff, helping to make it one of the most successful in the club’s history. Celebrating 50 years since starting in McKinney in 1968, the evening was made very special with over $1,022,000 in funds raised, before expenses.

“Our ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ theme was adopted because through our great supporters, we provide the umbrellas of life that protect our children during their development years and help them make good life choices that will lead them to great futures,” said Mike Simpson, CEO of the BGCCC. Emcee Tim Ryan of Fox 4’s Good Day morning show, made opening comments holding a bright umbrella. The theme was especially fitting seeing that DFW saw weeks of rain leading up to the event.

The 2018 Chrysalis Ball // courtesy Boys and Girls Club of Collin County
The 2018 Chrysalis Ball // courtesy Boys and Girls Club of Collin County

“We are extremely grateful to all the underwriters, table sponsors and individuals who supported our event tonight,” said Bryan Sherman, Board President. “The generosity of many will enable us to transport additional children to our clubs after school, provide scholarships to children who need a safe place to be after school and enable us to come one step closer to exploring opportunities to expand our services and capabilities to additional cities.”

The title underwriter was Capital One for the ninth year. A total of 95 underwriters and table sponsors and large number of individual donors enabled another successful event generating over a million in revenue, for the third straight year. “Everyone attending always comments that the highlight of the evening is the Red Carpet Walk with club children lining both sides, showing appreciation with loud cheers, taking pictures and giving high five’s as all the guests arrive,” stated Mike Simpson, CEO.

The Sponsor a Child segment of the evening was a highlight as attendees showed their support with donations of all sizes. The BGCCC 2018 Youth of the Year, Ariana Akinwunmi, was introduced by WNBA Dallas Wings star and Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame Alumnus, Skylar Diggins-Smith. After Ariana shared her story about what the club means to her, Ken Moraif of “Money Matters with Ken Moraif” made a matching pledge challenge that resulted in donations totaling over $330,000 during that portion of the evening.


The Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County has announced that next year’s event will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the Frisco Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center.

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