It’s not the first time, definitely not the second time, and it’s not even the third time … but it’s the FOURTH time a real estate dynamic duo has stepped up to serve as co-chairs of the Cowtown Ball.
Yes, Virginia Durham and Christian Burton are pulling on their Luccheses and once again throwing their Stetsons in the ring to chair the American Cancer Society’s annual fundraiser.
Durham, a Realtor with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty in Fort Worth, and Burton, vice president of marketing at McKnight Title, will chair the 30th Cowtown Ball at The Fort Worth Zoo. Partygoers in their Western chic attire will be treated to an evening of dinner and dancing on Sept. 27, with the band Straight Tequila Night headlining the party in the zoo’s Savanna Events pavilion.
Kickin’ Cancer at The Cowtown Ball
So why is the duo signing up for a fourth time to chair this Cowtown tradition?
“My why stems from the fact that, even though I don’t have a personal story with cancer, I’ve watched many of my parents’ friends succumb to the disease,” said Burton. “It hits everyone and doesn’t discriminate.”
Durham, though, does have a personal tie to cancer. Her mother died at the age of 69 after a two-year battle with the disease.
“It was a sad time for our family, and from that time forward, I vowed to do my part to help raise money for cancer research,” the Realtor said. “The American Cancer Society and the Cowtown Ball have done an amazing job to raise awareness and providing support throughout the community for cancer patients and their families.”
The two last chaired the 2022 ball, but they’ve stayed in sync, even finishing each other’s sentences.
“We work very well together,” she said. “We’re sympatico …”
“And we have been friends outside of ACS for years,” he said.
“We’re like besties,” she said.
They love the ball’s vibe Western vibe, and they love the Western theme. That figured into their decision to take on the project again.
“One more time,” Burton said. “I have fun. She has fun. We have fun together. It’s good to have fun for a purpose so why wouldn’t I want to have fun?”
They’ve chosen “Neon Lights and Cowboy Nights” as the theme for this year’s event.
Community Volunteers Join Forces
The two—a Realtor and a self-proclaimed “title guy”—work together often. When not boot-deep in real estate, both support community activities.
Durham is a sustainer in the Junior League of Fort Worth and a 30-year member of the organization. She’s a member of Jewel Charity Ball, a 70-year-old organization dedicated to raising funds for Cook Children’s Hospital, and she has served as the group’s correspondence co-chair and will be the auction co-chair for 2025.
She has both an undergraduate and a master’s degree from Texas Christian University. Durham is a member of the Fort Worth Woman’s Club, Colonial Country Club, the Fort Worth Garden Club, and the Fort Worth Lecture Foundation. In addition, she is a past president of The American Cancer Society’s Laureate Society.
The Realtor has one daughter, Katherine, who graduated from Fort Worth Country Day School. Durham is married to Tim Carter, a retired banker and former president of United Way of Tarrant County.
Burton is active in organizations that support Fort Worth real estate. Some of these include the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors, where he has chaired the Business After Hours committee, as well as the TREPAC committee, governmental affairs committee, and the Young Professionals Network. In 2015, he was named Affiliate of the Year of the Association. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association for three years.
His other Fort Worth community involvement has included Cook Children’s Medical Center, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Historic Fort Worth, Amon Carter Young Professionals, Fort Worth Zoo Young Professionals, Fort Worth Opera Ball, and Panther Club. He has served on the boards of Communities in Schools of Tarrant County, The Women’s Center, and the American Cancer Society.
He holds a business degree from Baylor University. He and his wife Jordan have one son, Jacob.
Supporting Their Favorite Non-Profit
Their efforts could go toward other non-profits, but the co-chairs are committed to the American Cancer Society. The more they learn, the more both are impressed with the organization that boasts more than a century of history in battling cancer.
“They weren’t trying to band-aid the problem, they were researching cures,” Burton said. “What I’ve learned about ACS’ research only strengthened my desire to help in any way I could.”
