Celebrating its 10th anniversary concert, the Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit, presented by Bell Nunnally, LLC, raised more than $100,000 for Grant Halliburton Foundation. Held on June 2at the Kessler Theater, the event featured a VIP party for sponsors, live and silent auctions and music acts. New this year, guests enjoyed Texas Rangers-themed snack vendors, like one might see at a baseball game, handing out baseball-themed treats including sunflowers seeds, Cracker Jacks, Big League Chew bubble gum, Baby Ruth candy bars and roasted peanuts.
Eric Nadel welcomed everyone to his 70th birthday party. He introduced Daphne Willis, one of the co-founders of the Birthday Benefit and a Kessler Theater favorite, who opened and is best known for her song Somebody’s Someone.
Kevin Hall, Grant Halliburton Foundation president, spoke about the Foundation. “Thank you to National Baseball Hall of Famer Eric Nadel for selecting us as the beneficiary of your birthday party for the second year. The proceeds support the Foundation’s mental health and suicide prevention education programs for North Texas children, teens and young adults. We also want to thank Bell Nunnally for being the presenting sponsor, 105.3 The Fan as the media sponsor and all our other sponsors.”
Hall introduced the Thrive program, which addresses mental, social and emotional health. Thrive is used mostly schools, and the audience watched a video showing its life-saving and impactful work.
After the video, there was a live auction with experiences with Nadel, other baseball greats, trips and experiences.
Finally, the talented headliner Cas Haley, performed. A native of Paris, Texas, Haley was a former runner-up on America’s Got Talent. Music is a family affair for him, who collaborates on songwriting with his wife Cassy, a recent cancer survivor. He tours with his son, Eben, on bass and his daughter, Nolah, on fiddle.
VIPs spotted in attendance included Eric Nadel, Voice of the Texas Rangers; Daphne Willis (opener and co-founder of event); Cas Haley (headliner); Bell Nunnally, LLC team; Chris Woodard, Texas Rangers Manager; Brad Sham, Voice of the Dallas Cowboys; Jared Sandler, Host for the Texas Rangers Radio Network; Mike Bacsik, The Fan Radio Host, Chef John Kleifgen with Nick & Sam’s; Vanita Halliburton, Amy McCloskey and Alan Halliburton, Grant Halliburton Foundation co-founders.
About Grant Halliburton Foundation:
Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help families and young people recognize the signs of mental illness through a variety of avenues including education, conferences, collaboration and encouragement. Since 2006, the Foundation has provided mental health education, training, and support to more than 250,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals. The Foundation also offers Here For Texas, which includes HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. These free community tools aim to offer easy access for North Texans seeking mental health and addiction information and resources. More information can be found at GrantHalliburton.org/.