Scooting into town this month, AWARE Dallas will host its annual fundraising fête—Boots, Buckles and Brain Health. We caught up with this year’s chair, David McDavid Jr., to learn more.
David McDavid Jr. (left) is pictured here with his son, Mason, and daughter, Mulvey, at last year’s gala. David’s wife, Kimmie, lost her battle with Alzheimer’s last spring, furthering his passion to fight the cause.
How did you initially become involved with AWARE Dallas?
You know, I’m up for anything that supports the fight against Alzheimer’s, but this event really is special. The whole association of AWARE has a very special place in my heart! It’s the charitable organization my dear deceased wife Kimmie is most identified with. She looked forward to the gala every year and was particularly thrilled about the theme. Texas country and Western themes were right up her alley.
What makes this year so near and dear to your heart?
Additionally, this year is special because it marks the one-year anniversary of my wife’s passing from this insidious disease. In fact, her Celebration of Life service was the day before last year’s AWARE Affair, and it brought home my family’s connection with AWARE.
What can attendees expect from this year’s event?
The 2025 AWARE Affair Boots, Buckles and Brain Health is the second year of this Texas country and Western-themed event, and that is because everyone had so much fun at last year’s event; it was overwhelmingly decided to do it again this year. Therefore, the number one thing attendees can expect is to have a lot of fun while raising funds to stay in the Metroplex to fight an insidious disease alongside a group of fellow Dallasites who truly care. I can also say the band (Breckenridge Band) will turn your head. They cover so many favorite and famous artists from multiple decades, and every time the song starts, you wonder if it’s the original performer up there singing.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of AWARE and the gala?
My deepest hope is that the AWARE mission changes from those needing care for their disease to those needing care for patients on a curative path to beat it. Hopefully, this will be possible sooner rather than later. We’ve had some real breakthroughs and advancements in treating Alzheimer’s.
Photography by: Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio
