JLD celebrates impactful year

By Carly Turner

The Junior League of Dallas (JLD) held its annual Platinum Dinner to celebrate the 2025-2026 year and recognize its top sponsors and donors. 

The elegant cocktail reception and seated dinner, sponsored by The Dallas Foundation, was held at the historic DeGolyer Estate at the Dallas Arboretum on Wednesday, March 11.  Hosting the evening at the Dallas Arboretum, one of JLD’s valued community partners, added an exceptional layer of meaning and exclusivity, creating a truly unforgettable experience for guests.

The evening began with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., where sponsors, donors, members and guests were welcomed with a champagne wall and enjoyed docent-led house tours of the DeGolyer House. 

The DeGolyer House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the Texas Register of Historic Places, and provided a stunning backdrop for this year’s Platinum Diner, complemented by live harp music throughout the evening.

Following the reception, guests gathered for an elegant, seated dinner and remarks. To kick off the evening, Junior League of Dallas President Dr. Lindsay Davis welcomed guests, highlighted key JLD accomplishments from the year thus far, and introduced The Dallas Foundation President and CEO Julie Diaz, who paid tribute to 2026 Sustainer of the Year Mary Jalonick, celebrating her 30 years of impactful service on behalf of the Foundation. 

The dinner, catered by Beyond the Box, included a roasted beet and chèvre salad to start, followed by a garlic rubbed petite filet of beef with smashed fingerling potatoes, asparagus, exotic mushrooms and red wine jus. To close the evening, guests enjoyed either a creme brulee with orange zest and fresh berries or a flourless chocolate cake topped with raspberry sauce. The beautiful spring centerpieces were donated by McShan Florist. Guests were treated to live fashion illustrations by ACA Event Designs, a thoughtful and personalized keepsake to commemorate the evening. In a sweet nod to the joy of gathering, guests were gifted with SusieCakes brown sugar chocolate chip cookies and gluten-free cake pops from Pinch of Salt Pastries.

It was a memorable evening celebrating the Junior League of Dallas and its generous donors!