Celebrating Community, Continuing a Legacy, and Making a Difference
On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, we invite you to join us at Hidden Springs Ranch for our Dinner with Friends. An evening dedicated to celebrating Vail Johnson’s legacy and the incredible impact we as a community, can make together.
This year’s theme is Saddle Up, so break out your favorite cowboy boots, hats, and the rest of your western attire for a memorable evening.
But beyond the celebration, Dinner with Friends serves a much greater purpose. As our largest annual fundraising event, this special evening helps fund mission, scholarships, and community initiatives.
A Night That Makes a Difference All Year Long
Through the continued support of our donors, sponsors, and community, Friends of Vail has been able to invest in education, childhood literacy, youth development, and programs that create lasting opportunities for children and families.
Here are just a few of the ways your generosity has helped bring Vail’s legacy to life:
Creating Opportunities Through Education
Education has always been an important part of our mission. From supporting an outdoor classroom at Pilot Point Elementary to providing scholarships for deserving individuals, we believe every opportunity to learn is an opportunity to grow.
These investments help create spaces where curiosity is encouraged, dreams are nurtured, and young people are given the tools to build a brighter future.
Supporting the Community Vail Called Home
Our roots run deep in Pilot Point, Texas, and giving back to the community Vail loved remains especially meaningful.
One example is the concession stand at the Pilot Point softball field, a project that supports local youth athletics and brings families together around the activities and traditions that make a community special.
Bringing the Joy of Reading to More Children
Books have a special place in Vail’s story, and inspiring a love of reading continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of our mission.
Through our beloved Book Bus, we bring stories and opportunities for imagination directly to children, helping make books more accessible and encouraging a lifelong love of learning.
Our commitment to literacy has also reached beyond our local community, including the construction of a library in Kenya, helping provide children with a dedicated space to read, learn, and discover new possibilities.
Every book opened, every story shared, and every child inspired is another way Vail’s love for storytelling continues to live on.
What to Expect at Dinner with Friends 2026
Dinner with Friends is more than a fundraiser. It is a chance to reconnect with old friends, welcome new faces, celebrate the work being done, and look ahead to all that is still possible.
From the moment guests arrive, the evening will be filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and give back.
An Evening of Friendship and Celebration
The festivities will begin with a cocktail hour, giving guests time to mingle, explore the silent auction, and enjoy the beautiful setting at Hidden Springs Ranch.
As the evening unfolds, guests will have the opportunity to watch special impact videos highlighting the programs and initiatives made possible through the foundation. We will also hear firsthand from scholarship recipients whose lives have been touched by the generosity of this community.
These stories are a meaningful reminder of why we gather each year and how the support of so many continues to create opportunities for others.
Guests will then enjoy dinner together, followed by an exciting live auction featuring special experiences and big-ticket items. The silent auction will remain part of the festivities throughout the evening, offering plenty of opportunities to bid on wonderful items while supporting the mission.
There will also be photo opportunities, a special book signing, and time to enjoy the friendships and connections that make this event so memorable.
A Special Reveal: The Book Bus Gets a New Chapter
One of the most anticipated moments of this year’s Dinner with Friends will be the reveal of our newly reimagined Book Bus!
This year, we are giving our inaugural Book Bus a transformation inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia, bringing a little extra wonder and imagination to a program that has already touched so many young readers.
Just as a story can open the door to an entirely new world, we hope this next chapter of the Book Bus will continue encouraging children to discover the magic waiting inside the pages of a book.
We cannot wait to share this special reveal with everyone who has helped make the Book Bus possible.
Celebrating the Seventh Book in Vail’s Tales
Another highlight of the evening will be the official launch of the seventh book in the Vail’s Tales collection!
Inspired by Vail’s love of storytelling, this beloved series continues to share her imagination, joy, and spirit with young readers and families. Guests will be among the first to celebrate the newest addition to the collection, with a special book signing by the co-author during the evening.
Saddle Up for a Little Friendly Competition
Of course, Dinner with Friends would not be complete without our silent and live auctions! Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of thoughtfully curated items, experiences, and special packages, all in support of the foundation’s mission. Our live auction will feature some of the evening’s most exciting offerings, bringing a little friendly competition to the room while raising funds for the programs and initiatives that matter most. Every bid is an opportunity to give back, and every contribution helps us continue the work that brings this community together.
Join Us for Dinner with Friends
As we celebrate ten years of Dinner with Friends, we are reminded that the heart of this event has always been the people who make it possible.
Every scholarship awarded, every child who discovers a love for reading, and every community project brought to life represents the generosity of friends who believe in making a difference.
We hope you’ll saddle up and join us for an unforgettable evening of friendship, generosity, and purpose.
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- Location: Hidden Springs Ranch
- Theme: Saddle Up
- Attire: Western-inspired attire encouraged
Reserve Your Seat Here and be part of a night that makes a difference all year long.
See The Sponsorship Opportunities Here.
We look forward to celebrating with you and continuing the beautiful legacy of Vail Johnson, together.
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