"In our first year of operation, we were pleased to distribute $60,000 to Grand Prairie charities," said Lone Star Park president Corey Johnsen. "Through a lot of hard work and the generosity of many people, we are going to substantially exceed that level in 2003."
The 24th Mistletoe Ball - the annual holiday fundraiser and major social event put on by the Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation for Grand Prairie - raised more than $59,000 for Grand Prairie charities when it was staged Dec. 6 at The Ruthe Jackson Center in Grand Prairie, Texas. Approximately 260 guests attended the event, which was themed as "A Ride to Remember" to celebrate the 2004 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Lone Star Park. Attendees were treated to a seated dinner by Lone Star Park's award-winning chef Jake Duplantis and live entertainment by Paul Salos. A live and silent auction and a raffle helped fuel the fundraising effort. The Mistletoe Ball has been the largest fundraiser for the charitable foundation since it was founded in June 2001. Funds raised will be distributed to Grand Prairie non-profit charities through grant applications at year's end. Applications for this year's grants are being accepted until Dec. 31.