84th Annual
The Crystal Ball
Saturday, March 6, 2027 – Fairmont Austin
2027 Event Chairs: Sarah Miller & Carrie Wilkin
Committee: Meredith Bagan – Kelly Baker – Katherine Beckworth – Darby Berra – Michelle Berry – Amy Biegel – McKenna Blissit – Liz Brandt – Dawn Breyfogle – Shannon Cameron – Kerri Ann Chambless – Heather Chesney – Ashley Covert – Kristin Cowden – Laura Cox – Dana DeLorenzo – Kate Dunnam – Kay Enoch – Kimberley Ezell – Leanna Ferguson – Martita Fleming – Tiffany Francis – Surrenden Gillespie – Mindy Gillingwater – Kelly Goulding – Aparna Goyal – Morgen Hardin – Taylor Harper – Missy Harris – Catherine Howry – Marla Kiger – Laura Lee – Melissa Levine – Ginny Liverman – Lesley Lorenz – Amy Martin – Angela McCown – Mary McDonald – Kay McNutt – Christy Merritt – Susie Meserole – Sally Metschan – Julie Metzger – Laurie Mills – Acia Moody – Suzanne Nash – Becky Navarro – Shelley Nelson – Kerianne Oliver – Marly Page – Jahnna Peeler – Suzanne Perez – Lesley Pitts – Jackie Price – Jennifer Ramberg – Brandy Reimers – Angie Risher – Kathryn Ross – Lindsey Sartain – Laurel Simmons – Allison Small – Meghan Sorrel – Kristen Stewart – Gayla Stuart – Sinem Szygenda – Allison Thompson – Gayle Vickers – Katherine Wallin – Keri Walling – Ginnie Wilcox
2026 Underwriters
2026 Sponsors
Our History
Early one fall morning in 1893, a newborn baby was discovered at Austin’s railway station. It was at this place on an ordinary day that an extraordinary event occurred, setting in motion a series of events that have transformed the lives of thousands of children for over a century. Word spread quickly to women in local churches, and they immediately took the child into their homes and named her Mary Austin. Little did they know that their compassionate response was giving birth to a unique organization whose dedication to the care of abandoned, neglected, and abused children would maintain a constant presence in the Austin community.
Over time, as orphans were placed in individual foster families rather than group homes, Helping Hand Home shifted its focus exclusively to healing severely abused and neglected children. As the children’s numbers and needs grew, the Helping Hand Society’s fundraising efforts grew as well. Style shows and luncheons were the mainstay of the Society’s early fundraising, leading to the first Helping Hand Debutante Presentation in 1939. In the more than eighty Presentation Galas that have followed, the Austin community has passed down the tradition of supporting the Home from one generation to another. The Crystal Ball celebrates a legacy of Austinites dedicated to the mission of healing and transforming the lives of children in need.
Participating in The Crystal Ball
Participation in The Crystal Ball is by invitation only. Participants may be nominated by eligible Helping Hand Society Members or identified through past involvement or support of the mission of Helping Hand Home. For questions about participating in The Crystal Ball, please contact Helping Hand Home Event Manager, McKenna Blissit, at mblissit@helpinghandhome.org.
