A night of fun can lead to a lifetime of self-sufficiency for North Texans in need. Tickets are on sale now for the Empower Gala, an evening where inspiration takes center stage. Guests from across the Metroplex will come together for an unforgettable event filled with live music, fantastic food, fun – and the opportunity to make a difference for the clients of Metrocrest Services, the non-profit social services agency the event benefits.

The highly anticipated gala will take place Saturday, November 16, at the Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel in Addison. This enchanting evening of celebration, community and philanthropy will commence at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception set to the sounds of composer and multi-instrumentalist Zuriel Merek, who will captivate the audience with his electric violin and live looping performances. Guests can also enjoy feeling like stars on the Metrocrest Services red carpet and by participating in several available photo opportunities, including in a 360-degree photo video booth.

A gourmet dinner will be enjoyed starting at 7 p.m. in the grand ballroom, with live entertainment from Emerald City’s The Party Machine band immediately after. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on more than 40 exclusive items and experiences through silent and live auctions, participate in wine and gift card pulls, and support the mission all while enjoying a night filled with inspiring stories of those impacted by Metrocrest Services’ programs.

“The Empower Gala is a joyful celebration of the beacon of hope that Metrocrest Services offers to our local families in need,” said Tracy Eubanks, CEO of Metrocrest Services. “We are excited to come together and celebrate with those who support our mission.”

Tickets begin at $125 and are available online now.  Also via the link, attendees may find more information about the gala and the special room rate offered by the hotel, should they like to stay overnight.

Three committed local families serve as honorary co-chairs for this inaugural Empower Gala: Joe and Natalie Mendez, Marcus and Holly Sechrest, and Mike and Linda Rutherford – all committed volunteers of Metrocrest Services who have each served the mission in a variety of roles.

Co-chair Joe Mendez, who currently serves on the Metrocrest Services Board of Directors, retired from a 35-year career at Southwest Airlines and today utilizes his extensive leadership experience and bilingual skills in his volunteer work at the Metrocrest Services’ Food Pantry. Co-chair Natalie Mendez, who spent 13 years with Southwest Airlines and today runs a coaching and leadership development practice, volunteers her expertise to help leaders and teams achieve their goals while honoring individual talents.

Co-chairs Marcus and Holly Sechrest grew up in the Carrollton area and are both graduates of Texas A&M University. They have been married 19 years and live with their five kids and many animals on their family farm in Celina, Texas. Marcus has spent much of his career in the mortgage industry, in risk and compliance, at Mr. Cooper Group in Irving, and Holly is a licensed group health insurance broker of 19 years and is a principal producer at Lone Star Benefits in Frisco. The Sechrest family supports a number of nonprofits and ministries, and they believe it is their calling to love God and to love others.

Co-chairs Mike and Linda Rutherford also grew up in Carrollton, graduating as classmates from Newman Smith High School in 1984. After marrying in 1994, they chose Carrollton as the place to make their home and raise two children together. Before Mike retired, he was a systems analyst for Tetra Pak, a global manufacturer of aseptic food packaging. Linda works for Southwest Airlines and currently serves the company as its chief administration officer. Both enjoy volunteering and giving back and have been active in community grow and share gardens, CFBISD and LISD’s educational foundation boards, and local and national civic and charitable board service. They were honored to give a named gift to Metrocrest Services during its capital campaign for its new facility. Linda currently serves on the Metrocrest Services Advisory Council.

The Empower Gala is proudly presented by Aaron Augustine with Allstate, who also graciously serves as a member of the Metrocrest Services Board of Directors. Thrive & Shine sponsors are Citi, Southwest Airlines, Verity Instruments, Rick and Beverly Fetterman, and Legacy Consulting Group. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals interested in making a significant impact.

This year’s gala promises an enchanting evening of celebration, community, and philanthropy, with all proceeds supporting Metrocrest Services’ mission to provide critical support to local families in need.