CHARITY
LADIES WHO LUNCH By Britt E. Stafford Dallas wouldn’t be Dallas without an overflowing philanthropic social calendar each year. And the Real Housewives of Dallas are setting out to show the nation what it takes to be Dallasite socialites, including the three residents representing Preston Hollow: Cary Deuber, LeeAnne Locken, and “friend of the housewives” Marie Reyes. Deuber, a mother and certified registered nurse first assistant, started her philanthropic endeavors by donating her time on several medical mission trips. Nowadays Deuber prefers to stick close to home, volunteering as a member of the Junior League of Dallas and working with her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Deuber, with the Doris Daniely Outreach. Together, the pair provides operating time to women who are unable to afford breast reconstructive services. “It’s nice to go to a dinner or cocktail party and give back, but I’m more hands on,” she said. “I like to see the change.” Ask Locken and she’ll tell you that philanthropy is her heart and soul. At the top of her seemingly endless list of causes are child and domestic violence prevention — a survivor of child abuse herself; rescue animals;
22 | SO CI ET Y M AG A ZIN E // S P R I N G 2 0 1 6
Real Housewives RealofHousewives Dallas from of leftDallas to right: from left to right: Cary Deuber, Brandi Cary Deuber, Redmond, Brandi Stephanie Redmond, Stephanie Hollman, LeeAnne Hollman, Locken, LeeAnne and Tiffany Locken, Hendra, and Tiffany Hendra, and "friend of the andhousewives" "friend of theMarie housewives" Reyes. Marie Reyes. { PHOTO: MICHAEL { PHOTO: LARSEN/BRAVO MICHAEL LARSEN/BRAVO MEDIA } MEDIA }
and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. Among the list of her favorite organizations to support are the SPCA of Texas, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA), and the Legacy Counseling Center. But Locken knows no limits to the number of organizations or causes she will support. To avoid accidentally double booking, she keeps two dry erase calendars full, along with a picture of the boards on her phone. “I love my haters who say that I go to these events to get my picture taken,” she said. “… I care about making a difference.” Businesswoman Reyes is a fellow DIFFA supporter and can trace her involvement with the organization back almost 25 years, when she donated her time on the catwalk for its annual runway show. It’s one of her two favorite events of the year, she said. The second is the annual headpiece extravaganza that is the Mad Hatter’s Tea, held annually at the Dallas Arboretum. So, whether it’s a luncheon or gala, helping kids or fighting cancer, this trio knows how to balance their personal lives, work, and still make time to be ladies who lunch for a cause. “It’s challenging to say the least,” Reyes said. “You put your priorities in the right order and do the best you can.”