Historical Timeline

1953

Two caring community leaders, Nenetta Burton Carter and Bille Bransford Clark, organized Jewel Charity Ball to raise funds to meet the needs of children whose families could not afford their medical care.

1954

The first ball was held on January 30th at the Texas Hotel and netted $9,000. The legendary Harry Winston of New York was the first Official Jeweler. Debutantes modeled the jewelry and raffle tickets were sold for prizes, beginning traditions that continue today.

1959

The first engagement books were published in the form of a desktop calendar. Over the years they evolved into today’s hard-bound coffee table book, “The Jewel.”


1963

Jewel Charity’s mission was clearly established and remains the same today – to raise funds to provide quality health care to all children in need, regardless of their families’ ability to pay.

1964

The first decade of Jewel Charity is completed with a total of $326,400 given to the hospital.

1965

The engagement book's cover is engraved for the first time. This tradition will continue until the first hard-bound books are produced in 1986.


1973

In our 20th Anniversary year donors became known as “Angels” with contribution levels from $1,500 to $25,000+.

1975

The Ball attendance reached 1,125 and was held at Ridglea Country Club.

1980

Annual proceeds this year reached over $200,000 for the first time. 


1983

Angel Donors were separated into three different categories: Angel, Silver and Gold. Proceeds to the hospital this year reached $330,000.

1985

Cook Children’s Hospital merged with Fort Worth Children’s Hospital to form Cook Children’s Medical Center.

1989

The new Cook Children’s Medical Center opened its doors and has become one of the most respected pediatric hospitals in the country.

1990

Jewel Charity presented its first $1 million check to Cook Children’s Medical Center.


1993

The 40th Annual Jewel Charity Ball's venue was moved to the Amon Carter Convention Center to accommodate the growing number of attendees. 

1998

A new record of giving was set with a $2 million gift.


2003

Our Golden Anniversary year culminated with a $2,150,000 gift to Cook Children's.

2006

A gift of over $3 million was given to Cook Children’s, bringing the grand total to over $38 million.

2007

A gift was given to Cook Children’s for uncompensated care, additional software for the recently installed iMRI machine to combat neurological diseases, and cochlear implants.

2009

A gift to Cook Children’s went to uncompensated care and the expansion of the NICU from 54 to 99 private care rooms.

2010

Funding was provided for the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Capital Campaign in addition to raising funds for uncompensated care.

2011

In addition to uncompensated care, Jewel Charity’s gift helped fund The Cancer Center and The Child Life Zone, which includes The Henry House Teen Room.


2013

Our 60th Jubilee year supported Child Life and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in addition to Uncompensated Care. Over the history of Jewel Charity a total of 61 million dollars has been given to Cook Children’s.

2014

In addition to giving toward uncompensated care, signature projects helped fund Cook Children's Dental Clinic at the Renaissance Neighborhood Clinic and the Creative Artists in Residence Programme (CARPE), providing healing through a variety of arts.

2016

Our gift provided over $100,000 for Cardiovascular rooms alone and over $2 million for uncompensated care and the new Behavioral Health Center.

2017

We focused on The Creative Artists in Residence Programme (CARPE) and the Oncology department boosting our total contribution to over $71 million in our 64 year history.

2018

We focused on The Creative Artists in Residence Programme (CARPE) and the Center for Vulnerable Children, bringing our total gift to Cook Children’s to over $73 million to celebrate our 65th year!

2019

In addition to uncompensated care, Jewel Charity supported the Stroke Program at Cook Children’s Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center, and topped $75 million in total giving!


2020

An unprecedented year during a world-wide pandemic meant no Ball for the first time, Jewel Charity’s gift came solely from an appeal for support.

2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jewel Charity supported Cook Children’s Protecting Your Tomorrows campaign.

2022

Behavioral Health, Neighborhood Clinics, and Uncompensated Care were supported by the gift from Jewel Charity. Jewel Charity broke the $80 million mark in gifts to Cook Children’s.