The Denton Benefit League was established in May 1973 for the purposes of promoting volunteerism in the community and raising funds for charitable projects. It was Mrs. J. B. Floyd (Maurine) who set the example for such an organization in Denton.

In the spring of 1969, the Denton City County Day Nursery was trying to retire the in- debtedness on its child care facility. To raise funds, Mrs. Floyd, who was then President of the group’s Board of Directors, proposed Denton’s first Benefit Ball. She and another member of the Board, Mrs. Mack Gay (Mary Claude), enlisted the assistance of friends, and the “Guys and Dolls Ball” was held in November 1969. Eight thousand dollars was raised to help secure the future of the Day Nursery’s program.

In 1971, the Cross Timbers Girl Scout Council approached Mrs. Floyd for help in fund-raising for the Lake Texoma Girl Scout Camp. Mrs. R.A. Nichols (Juliette) and a number of other women helped Mrs. Floyd organize a “Harvest Ball” which was held at the Civic Center in November 1971. Approximately $5,000 was raised toward the establishment of the camp.
When the Denton Fine Arts Council sought her help in 1973, Mrs. Floyd agreed to serve as an advisor for a third Benefit Ball. She secured Kathy Orr as Chairman and Mrs. L. A. Nelson (Martha Len) as Vice Chairman for the “Fine Arts Ball” which was held at the Civic Center in February 1973. They raised $6,500 for the Denton Fine Arts Council, the Community Theater, and the Community Choir.

Following the 1973 ball, Mmes. Floyd, Orr, and Nelson saw the need for continuing fund-raising support in the community. They invited the 1973 ball participants to a meet- ing and presented their ideas. This group endorsed the formation of an organization and committees were appointed to compose the structure. The By-Laws Committee was com- prised of Mrs. Riley Robbins (Martha), Chairman, Mrs. W. R. Knight (Lynn), and Mrs. R. John Nelson (Lou). The Nominating Committee included Mary Claude Gay, Juliette Nichols, and Kathy Orr.

The next organizational meeting was held May 3, 1973, in the home of Juliette Nichols. By-Laws were adopted, the organization was named Denton Benefit League, and offi- cers were elected. The first General Meeting was held May 21, 1973, in the home of Lou Nelson with over 100 members attending.

1973-74. “The Circus” Charity Ball was held March 2, 1974, at the Denton Civic Center. A souvenir date book was published and given to ball guests. The League granted $13,000 to Flow Memorial Hospital.

1974-75. The “Imperial Ball” was held March 8, 1975, at the Denton Civic Center, and a date book was published to raise additional funds. The League granted local charities $14,604.

1975-76. The “Williamsburg Ball” was held at UNT (formerly NTSU) Student Union on March 29, 1976. DBL’s first newspaper advertising supplement, a 32-page Tabloid, was published in connection with the ball. Charitable grants totaled $14,050. Member- ship totaled 160 Actives and 83 Associates. DBL’s volunteer service requirement was set. A gold charm with the DBL logo was presented to founder Maurine Floyd and the three former Presidents, and the custom was established of presenting a similar charm to the outgoing President each year.

1976-77. The “Gatsby Gala” Ball was held March 5, 1977, at UNT; 453 attended. The tabloid publication had 36 pages. Charitable grants totaled $20,339. Membership totaled 173 Actives, one Inactive, and 81 Associates. For the first time, a Fall Party was held for members.

1977-78. “Au Bal de Paris” was held March 4, 1978, at UNT. For the first time, a tea, “Paris in the Spring,” was held on the afternoon of the ball. A 48- page Tabloid was pub- lished. Charitable grants totaled $21,017. A Fall Party with a western theme was held. Active membership reached capacity.

1978-79. The “Star Whirl” Ball and Tea were held April 7, 1979, at UNT. A 48-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $24,500. The Fall Party had a Hal- loween theme. There was a waiting list for Active membership. The Tabloid Committee was established as a separate Standing Committee; previously it was part of the Ball committee.

1979-80. The “Carnival in Rio” Ball and Tea were held April 12, 1980, at the Denton Civic Center. A 48-page Tabloid was published. Charitable Grants totaled $25,000. The Fall Party had a Mexican theme. Members reported 12,000 volunteer hours.

1980-81. The “Fantasia” Ball and Tea were held April 11, 1981, at the Denton Civic Center. A 48-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $28,755. The Fall Party was a Barn Dance at the North Texas Fair Grounds. The DBL Woman’s Club Catering Project was developed to benefit historical preservation.

1981-82. A “Valentine Ball” and Tea were held February 14, 1982, at UNT, and a 56- page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $35,000. The Fall Party was a Germanfest. The DBL booth at Spring Fling featured spin art. Grants totaling $2,250 were made from funds raised by the Woman’s Club Catering Project.

1982-83. The “Candlelight Ball’ and Tea were held March 5, 1983, at UNT. A 56-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $34,000. The Fall Party was a Mad Hatter’s Ball. The Spring Fling booth again featured spin art. Grants of $2,700 were ap- proved from Catering Committee fundraising. Volunteer hours reported were 11,050.

1983-84. The “Avalon Court” Ball and “A Glimpse of Avalon” Preview Tea were held March 31, 1984, at UNT. A 64-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $42,590. The Fall Party was a Texas Swing Dance. Volunteer hours reported were 19,762.

1984-85. The “Black and White Ball” and Tea Dance were held March 30, 1985, at UNT. A 64-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $54,000. The Fall Party was a Luau. Funds raised from catering were added to the Project Research al- locations. The Spring Fling booth included a book sale, ice cream stand, and wind sock sale. Volunteer hours reported were 11,918.

1985-86. The “Texas Heritage Ball” and Tea were held at UNT April 5, 1986. A 72-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $49,540. The Fall Party had a Tailgate theme. A Sustaining membership classification was established. The second annual DBL luncheon and musical featured “A Slice of Texas Toast” by Donna Trammell. The Spring Fling booth featured ice cream, paper back books, and a cake walk. Volunteer hours reported were 17,000.

1986-87. The “Riverboat Ball” and “Showboat Tea Dance” were held at UNT April 4, 1987. Charitable grants totaled $55,800. A 72-page Tabloid was published. The Fall Party had a Halloween theme. The third annual DBL musical and luncheon featured “Dogs” written by Donna Trammell. There were 42 names on the waiting list for Active membership.

1987-88. The “Swing into Spring” Charity Ball and Tea Dance were held at TWU April 9, 1988. A 72-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $61,855. A Fall Party was held. The spring fundraising luncheon at the Woman’s Club Building featured “The Ladies of Club Pandora” by Carol Lynn Mizell. DBL had two booths at Spring Fling. Volunteer hours reported were 28,025.

1988-89. The “Mystery at Chelsea Garden Ball” and Tea were held at TWU on April 1, 1989. A 72-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants were $62,615. The Fall Party was “An Evening at the Cock N’ Bull.” The first coffee for new members was held in the fall. The spring fundraising luncheon and an evening performance featured “Shake- speare Loved An Avon Lady” by Donna Trammell. DBL operated an ice cream booth and a photo booth at Spring Fling. A brunch was added to the May general meeting.

1989-90. A “Mardi Gras Ball” and Tea were held at TWU on March 24, 1990. An 80- page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $60,111. A Fall Party with a “Pat O’Brien’s” theme was held. The spring fundraising luncheon featured a musical program by the TWU Pops Ensemble. General Meetings moved to the CVA. Volunteer hours reported were 16,535.

1990-91. The “Starlight Charity Ball” and “Starlight Preview Tea” were held April 13, 1991, at TWU. An 80-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $65,053. The Fall Party was a Barn Dance and Barbeque. The spring fundraising luncheon had a Valentine theme with program by Donna Trammell. A DBL newsletter was started. Ac- tive and Associate membership was at capacity. Volunteer hours reported were 25,000.

1991-92. The “Through the Looking Glass Ball” and “Mad Hatter’s Tea” took place April 4, 1992, at TWU. A “Piano Room” was added to the ball. An 88-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $74,919. The Fall Party was “Fantasy Inn Land.” The Valentine Luncheon program by Donna Trammell was “SWAK-Sealed with a Kiss.” The Denton Arts Festival booth sold ice cream and Polaroid pictures. Volunteer hours reported were 22,000.

1992-93. The “Gypsy Carnival Ball” and “Organ Grinder’s Tea” were held March 27, 1993, at TWU. An 88-page Tabloid was published. Charitable grants totaled $82,867. The Fall Party had a Halloween theme. The spring fundraising luncheon featured Donna Trammell’s production “Red Hot Romance.” Two evening meetings were held for Associates. DBL added an Adopt-A-Spot project. Volunteer hours reported were 25,000.

1993-94. The “Mythical Magic” Charity Ball and “Pegasus Tea” were held at TWU on March 26, 1994. The 76-page Tabloid had an enlarged format. Charitable grants totaled $81,146. The Fall Party had a “Homecoming” theme. The Valentine Luncheon program was “Hit or Myth” by Donna Trammell. DBL operated ice cream and picture booths at the Denton Arts Festival. Volunteer hours reported were 23,531.

1994-95. “A Garden Party” Ball, and “A Garden Tea Party” were held on March 25, 1995, at TWU. A 76-page Tabloid was published. Grants totaled $65,362. The Fall Party had a “Luau” theme. The Valentine Luncheon featured The Trammell Group perform- ing “Love It”. Total funds raised by DBL passed the $1.0 million mark. Funds raised for the year exceeded $100,000 for the first time, which included first-time ball underwrit- ing of $17,000. The funding procedure for grants was changed so that funds raised one year are allocated the next. Volunteer hours reported were 25,417.

1995-96. “A Safari Night,” Ball and “High Tea on the Savannah” were held on March 9, 1996. An 88-page Tabloid was published. Grants totaling $100,000 were distributed to 33 organizations. The Fall Party had a “Country Fair” theme. The Valentine Luncheon program was “Love Notes” by The Trammell Group. DBL received $750 as the ben- eficiary of the Merrill Lynch Golf Classic. A spring luncheon was held for Sustaining members. Volunteer hours reported were 25,000.

1996-97. “The Royal Ascot Ball” and “Luncheon at Royal Ascot” were held at TWU on April 12, 1997. An 88-page Tabloid was published. Grants totaling $122,916 were given to 35 organizations. DBL received $5,200 from the second annual Merrill Lynch Golf Classic. The Denton Light Opera Company and the Ryan High School Clef Dwellers performed at the Valentine Luncheon. The Fall Party featured a “Cajun Cook-Off.” A New Year’s Eve Celebration was held at the Radisson Hotel. Volunteer hours reported were 21,968.

1997-98. “Silver Reflections,” Ball and Tea highlighting the Silver Anniversary year was held at TWU on April 18, 1998. An 88-page Tabloid was published. Grants totaled $135,000. The annual Merrill Lynch Golf Classic netted $8,190. The Denton Country Club was the setting for a special 25th anniversary luncheon celebration. An evening of dinner and Trammell Group show was held for Valentine’s Day. A New Year’s Eve Celebration was held at the Radisson Hotel. Volunteer hours reported were 21,000.

1998-99. “Putting on the Ritz” Ball and Brunch were held at TWU on March 27, 1999. An 88-page Tabloid was published. Grants totaled $132,755 to 38 organizations. The annual Merrill-Lynch Golf Classic netted $5,505. Members enjoyed a bus trip to Bass Hall for a Judy Collins concert. A Valentine dinner was held at the Denton Woman’s Club and entertainment was the Trammell Group. Volunteer hours reported were 20,000.

1999-00. “Soiree at the Speedway” Ball and Brunch were held at the Texas Motor Speedway on March 4, 2000, celebrating the millennium. Guests enjoyed the excite- ment of pace car rides around the track following the Brunch. Grants totaled $127,860 to 37 organizations. The Merrill Lynch Golf Classic netted $10,900. Members enjoyed a Valentine’s Day dinner held at the Women’s Club Building. A bus trip was arranged to see “Grease” at the Bass Hall. Volunteer hours reported were 22,625.

2000-01. The “Chinese Festival” Charity Ball and Tea were held at TWU on March 31, 2001. Grants totaled $128,000 to 39 organizations. Oktoberfest was the theme for the Fall Party. A combined meeting of Associate and Sustaining members was held. A spring luncheon for members and their guests at the Denton Country Club featured Neil Sperry as the speaker.

2001-02. The “Denim & Diamonds” Charity Ball and Brunch were held at TWU on April 6, 2002. A 96-page Tabloid was published netting $50,800. Ball Underwriting in- creased to $51,700. Grants totaled $139,492 to 40 organizations. A Fall Party, “Soft Jazz- Cool Autumn Nights” was held. The board approved a new timetable for the grant pro- cess with distribution in January. The golf tournament netted $8,000. Members brought cans of food to general meetings for the first time. A new member luncheon was held at the home of President Marilyn Gentry. Volunteer hours reported were 19,374.

2002-03. The “Crystal Charity Ball” was held at Texas Motor Speedway on April 12, 2003, celebrating DBL’s 30th anniversary. A 104-page Tabloid netted $70,000. Ball underwriting increased to $86,000 and the Thunderbird car raffle raised $13,000. A rummage sale cleaning out the DBL warehouse produced $5,000. The Fall Party, held at Denton Country Club featured 30 years of DBL photos. President Bette Sherman hosted the luncheon for new members in her home. A booklet entitled “Presidents’ Profiles” honored DBL’s past presidents. Group Projects were offered for the first time. DBL passed the $2.0 million mark in grants. Grants totaled $147,000 to 39 agencies; and Underwriters were invited to be present for the first time. A Marketing/PR Com- mittee was formed for the first time. Volunteer hours reported were 29,214.

2003-04. The “New York, New York” Charity Ball was held on April 17, 2004, at the Doral Tesoro Hotel and Golf Club. Ball Underwriting increased to $92,000. A 104- page Tabloid raised $68,300. The CTS Cadillac car raffle netted $10,000. “Sensational Settings”, a new fall event held at Oakmont Country Club, featured 27 creative tables- capes and an engagement calendar raising $5,000. President Polly Diebel hosted the new member luncheon in her home. A new DBL brochure was designed; and the DBL website was developed. Grants totaled $192,572.67 to 46 recipients. Volunteer hours reported were 36,769.

2004-05. The “Bach to Rock” Charity Ball was held on April 9, 2005, at the Doral Tes- oro Hotel & Golf Club. Ball Underwriting increased to $106,000. A 104-page Tabloid raised $72,741. The Ford Mustang GT raffle netted $14,985. “Sensational Settings” was held at the Denton Country Club with 37 table designers and an engagement calendar raising $11,201. A New Member Orientation program was introduced. President He- lene Ramey hosted a new member luncheon in her home. Funds raised during the year exceeded $200,000 for the first time. Grants totaled $180,043 to 38 agencies. Volunteer hours reported were 35,769.

2005-06. The “Mediterranean Rendezvous and Casino de Monte Carlo” was held on March 25, 2006, at the Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club. A golf tournament preceding the Ball was held. Ball Underwriting increased to $125,650. A casino with prizes as well as a live auction was offered for the first time at the ball. A 104-page Tabloid was pub- lished. “Sensational Settings” was held at the UNT Gateway Center. President Sharon Draper hosted the new member luncheon in her home. A “Members Only” section was added to the DBL website including the newsletter, member directories, commit- tee assignments and other information. Grants totaled $216,700 to 44 organizations. Volunteer hours reported were 35,590.

2006-07. The “Totally Texas” Charity Ball was held on March 31, 2007 at the Doral Tes- oro Hotel and Golf Club. The event offered a casino with prizes and both a silent and live auction. Underwriting grossed $141,350. The 30th Anniversary Tabloid featured 104 pages and netted $45,258. Sensational Settings was held in October at the Center for the Visual Arts. An Associates and Sustainers combined evening meeting was held. President Jo Ann Ballantine hosted the New Member Luncheon at El Guapo’s. Grants totalling $236,583.98 were distributed to 35 agencies. Volunteer hours reported were 33,610.
2007-2008. “Toasting the Town, Celebrating 35 Years of DBL” was held on April 19, 2008 at the Marriott Hotel and Golf Club at Champion Circle. The event offered a diamond raffle and live auction. Ball underwriting grossed $154, 000 with a record 105 Underwriters. The tabloid featured 104 pages and netted $47,449. “Sensational Settings” was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites. An Associates and Sustainers combined evening meeting was held. President Sandra Robinson hosted the New Member Lun- cheon at her home. Grants totalling $229,246.44 were distributed to 47 agencies, bring- ing the grand total for grants distributed since 1974 to $3,077,485.96. Volunteer hours reported were 29,748.

2008-09. “the Ball bright & BOLD” was held on April 18, 2009 with a return to TWU’s Hubbard Hall. The event featured a silent auction and a raffle for diamond earrings. Underwriting grossed $144,850, with a total of 111 undersriters The Tabloid contained 96 pages and netted $41,504. “Sensational Settings” was held in October at the Denton Country Club. An Associates and Sustainers’ evening meeting was held in February. President Debbie Vanderlaan hosted the New Member Luncheon in her home. Grants totalling a record $260,918 were distributed to 38 agencies, bringing the total since 1974 to $3,338,404. Volunteer hours reported were 30,327.

2009-10. The “Cherry Blossom Ball” was held on April 17, 2010, at TWU’s Hubbard Hall. The event featured a silent auction and a raffle for a diamond tennis bracelet. A fundraising party, “Kosmos and Kimonos with Keiichei”, was held in conjunction with the ball. Underwriting grossed $147,550, with a total of 106 underwriters. The 88-page Tabloid grossed $47,850. An evening meeting was held in February for Associates and Sustainers. President Kayla Swenson hosted the Mew Member luncheon in her home. Grants totaling $241,661were distributed to 40 agencies, bringing the total granted since 1974 to $3,580,065. Volunteer hours reported were 30,466. The very first Denton Benefit League cookbook, Deliciously Denton, was published with almost 800 recipes submitted by its members.

2010-11. “Masquerade” was held on March 26, 2011, at the Marriott at Champion’s Circle. The ball featured a silent auction and a raffle for a Rolex watch. “A Night in Ven- ice,” a fundraising party previewed the ball. Underwriting grossed $149,050, with a total of 98 underwriters. The 88 page Tabloid grossed $54,560. Sensational Settings, held in October at Denton Country Club grossed $26,987. An evening meeting was held in February for Associates and Sustainers. A new event, Minor League – Kids in Motion, offered a service opportunity to members’ children and grandchildren. President Gail Graves hosted the New Member Luncheon at her home. Grants totaling $217,017 were given to 29 agencies, bringing the total granted since 1974 to $3,797,083. Volunteer hours reported were 35,738.