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MySweetWishList: Suicide And Crisis Center Of North Texas
According to Suicide and Crisis Center Of North Texas advocate and The Diamond Factory owner David Blank,
“Our company is planning to partner with Suicide and Crisis Center in 2025, beginning with their signature fund-raising event, Fashion Stars for a Cause. As we begin preparation for this partnership, we hope you will consider how the organization can help those in need this holiday season.
“Suicide Prevention of Dallas (later to become Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas) opened daytime phone service in late 1967 and expanded to 24-hour service with trained telephone counselors in 1969, which they consider the non-profit considers its formal opening date.
“The agency’s ongoing task, from day one, has been to de-mystify the concept of suicide and make it a subject that people increasingly can talk about, especially people whose family lives are impacted by suicide. Training workshops open to the public or to special professional groups such as physicians or pastors were regularly conducted during the early years before the taboo topic became an open conversation and a challenge to met by millions of families all over the world.
“The late community leader and health care advocate Ruth Altshuler (and other community leaders) helped the organization initial team to see that it was not practical to have an all-professional Board of Directors, so it wasn’t long before we they expanded to include non-medically trained citizens on the Board, a separate Clinical Advisory Board, and an Advisory Board composed of former presidents and special community leaders.
“According to the organization’s leadership, ‘Suicide remains our primary area of expertise. Suicide represents everyone’s most extreme state of personal crisis.’
“Many families and parents report that suicide is also the ultimate threat to parents who want to help their children manage the risky issues of growing up.
“’We have much to learn about helping people talk out their inner struggles instead of losing hope and destroying themselves,’ said one of the organization’s founders more than 50 years ago.
“As we now know, suicide knows no age, gender, ethnic, religious or family boundaries. We also know there is help, with no stigma attached, for individuals in crisis, their loved ones, their contemporaries, their co-workers and anyone who knows of an individual in need.
“Having been impacted by the suicide of a loved one, I encourage you to consider supporting the Suicide Crisis Center of North Texas. Visit sccenter.org for ways to donate, volunteer or learn more about how to help someone in crisis. My wish is that no family has to deal with this devastating tragedy during this holiday season.”
MySweetWishList: Equest Women’s Auxiliary
According to Equest Women’s Auxiliary 2024 Fashion Show Chair Katherine Wyker,
“When Equest Women’s Auxiliary visionary Louise Griffeth founded the organization more than thirty years ago, Equest was known as Freedom Ride and many people were unfamiliar with the cause and how to become supporters.
“Her vision was to create a long-term support team to help Equest raise funds and create awareness for the unique organization. Louise’s concept has prospered, and I am honored to have served as this year’s Fashion Show Chair. She is truly a mentor to me, and everyone involved in the Women’s Auxiliary. I look forward to passing the baton to Auxiliary Chair-Elect Felicia Powell and the dynamic team of Victoria Snee and Lisa Singelton, who will serve as co-chairs of the 2025 Equest Fashion Show and Luncheon on Tuesday, October 7, at Brook Hollow Golf Club.
“Equest has received well-deserved national recognition for its work. Women’s Auxiliary is a very effective organization comprised of hundreds of dedicated women who volunteer selflessly to raise funds for the therapeutic horsemanship programs. Equest has improved the lives of children and adults using horses to bring hope and healing through equine assisted therapies for forty-plus years. The program has grown dramatically over the years. Equest and the awareness continues to spread with the help of generous donors at all levels.
“The success of the 2024 luncheon, presented by Highland Park Village, would not have been possible without the generous support of long-time Equest Auxiliary donors Louise Griffeth and luncheon honorees Carol Lupton Huckin and Kristina Bush Whitcomb. Also, a big thank you to Underwriting Chair Catherine Jaynes. All of these women made the event a genuine success!
“Thanks to their support and donations from hundreds of others, Equest has become the leader in equine assisted therapy and serves hundreds of riders annually including riders with cerebral palsy and autism as well as orthopedic ailments. Additionally, Equest serves veterans through the Horses for Heroes program.
“Top donors to the 2024 event, in addition to Presenting Sponsor Highland Park Village, included Robyn and Don Conlon, Lisa and Clay Cooley, Louise Griffeth, Lyda Hill and Helen K. and Robert McGraw. Their generosity and commitment to Equest is immeasurable!
“My wish is that you visit www.equest.org to learn how you can become of a part of this amazing program and that you mark your calendar for October 7th at Brook Hollow for the 2025 Luncheon. But, remember that you don’t have to wait for the Fashion Show to join forces with this life-changing organization. Please visit www.equest.org for more information.”
Sneaker And Hooved Set Had A “Spirited” Time At Wilkinson Center’s 2024 Pantry In The Park
Giving the usual evening fundraising footwear of stilettos, evening slippers and cowboy boots the night off, the Pantry In The Park guests donned their most showstopping sneakers for the Wilkinson Center fundraiser. After all, the theme for the event taking place at the Dallas Arboretum on Friday, October 18, was “Starry Night Sneakers Soiree.”
Practically the only ones not in sneakers had a great excuse. They were mini-burro bros Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. Insiders reveal that the boys were just a couple of years old but had become the fav magnet with their baskets of beverages like the evening’s espresso martinis and Painted Donkey tequila.
As the sun was setting over White Rock Lake, the boys found themselves greeting VIP guests like Jan and Gerry Worrall, Carlin and Charles Morris and former Wilkinson Center Anne Reeder Corley and Paul Corley Jr. Talk about hands-on attention. When one guest asked why their coats were so soft, their agent admitted that in addition to their sprouting their winter coats, they had a special ingredient in their wash-and-dry program.
In addition to Jerry Lee and Johnny, Jessy Powell and Devin Odell hosted a whiskey tasting featuring Lasso Motel.
And speaking of spirits, there were spirited games for the 250 guests to take their chances on, like “Price Is Right,” where they could win prizes by guessing the correct price of everyday items like those needed by Wilkinson Center’s Food Pantry clients, as well as a wine pull and silent auction.
Then there was the two-fold game of the night where guests purchased $25 tickets, with 11 being drawn, to compete in musical chairs for a case of Hall Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon valued at $900. After nine rounds that last two gals “decided to share their winnings!”
But it wasn’t all fun and games. Event Co-Chairs Jenn and OJ DeSouza and Laura Ailshire and Wilkinson Center Executive Director Daley Ryan and Development Director Lori Baum had arranged for a couple of Wilkinson clients to share their stories on how the Center had impacted their lives, like:
Shannon Adams told how she hadn’t completed high school due to many challenges (i.e. growing up in an abusive household and suffering with seizure disorder and other medical issues). But she persevered and in 2017 started classes at the Center where her teacher Miss Bobbie encouraged her to make a “goals poster” that she brought from home to show the guests. It read “Aim high, go higher. Shoot for your dreams and never give up no matter what.” As a result, Shannon not only got her GED and earned her Associate of Science degree recently. She proudly reported that she been accepted by the University of Texas at Dallas where she will pursue her associate’s degree in nursing. Already she had accomplished the goal of being the first in her family to graduate from a community college and to be accepted into a four-year university. Looking to the future, her ultimate dream was to become a doctor. She summed up her success, “If it were not for the Wilkinson Center, I would not be where I am today. They have helped us students to become whatever we want to become and to be successful in life.”
The other client was Lopez, who, as the oldest child in the family, was put into a role she “never anticipated.” Her sister had been diagnosed with cancer and Lopez had to translate complex medical terminology for her mother. The result was her desire to become part of the medical field. Thanks to Wilkinson Center’s Medical Assistant Program, Lopez enrolled in college, receiving ongoing guidance as she worked toward her degree. As a result of hard work and Wilkinson’s support, she recently completed her internship with Children’s Health, where her sister had received treatment. She finished her story saying, “Today I am proud to say I have joined Children’s Health as an employee. I owe immense gratitude to everyone who played a part in making this possible.”
* Photo credit: Nate Rehlander
A Gentle Reminder: BMW Dallas Marathon Festival To Create Road Closures Starting Friday
For some folks Friday the 13th is gonna be a bad luck day and the start of a traffic headache for the weekend. It’s due to the annual BMW Dallas Marathon that is 53 years old.
Texas’ longest-running marathon and Dallas’ biggest will include a full marathon, a half marathon, an ultra marathon and other activities including the following:
- Friday, December 13, at 7 p.m. — Friday Night Lights Mile, a two-lap Grand Prix style race around Dallas City Hall Plaza.
- Saturday, December 14, starting at 8 a.m. — EIGHT K, a 5K, a 5-person 5K Team Challenge and a 100-meter dash for kids!
- Sunday, December 15, starting at 8 a.m. — Full (26.2M), Half Marathon (13.1M), Half Marathon Walk (13.1M) & 50K Ultra Marathon (31M)
The events will require closing various streets along the routes (see below) around the Central Business District and nearby neighborhoods (see maps below).
Since 1997, the event has provided $4.5M for Scottish Rite for Children.
* Graphic courtesy of BMW Dallas Marathon Festival
JUST IN: 2024 Partners Card Netted A Record-Breaking $1.31 M
The Family Place‘s 2024 Partners Card Co-Chairs Elizabeth Ward Creel and Tiffany Moon have been busy adding and subtracting numbers to get to the final results of this year’s shopathon fundraiser.
Hold your breath no longer.
That net achieved thanks to North Texas cardholders and merchants is a whopping $1.31M.
According to Family Place CEO Tiffany Tate, that amount will translate into providing 17,445 nights of shelter for survivors of family violence.
Another impressive number resulting from this year’s Partners Card program is the number of digital cards sold was the highest ever.
Despite the great numbers, the fundraising hasn’t ended, since The Family Place “typically provides about 70,000 nights of shelter” annually.
MySweetWishList: The YMCA Of Metropolitan Dallas’ Catalyst Christmas
According to YMCA Of Metropolitan Dallas' Catalyst Christmas volunteer Jill Magnuson, “This year marks the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’ 5th Annual Catalyst Christmas, an event that brings hope and resources to the most vulnerable communities in North Texas. “I’m part of a team of … Read More...
MySweetWishList: Sons Of The Flag
According to Sons Of The Flag Board Member Louise Griffeth, “'Burns are not sexy!' When Sons of the Flag' was founded more than 12 years ago, that was the sentiment shared by many and so was the stigmatism attached to those veterans, first responders, and children that had suffered a severe burn … Read More...
Celebrating Women Luncheon’s Silver Anniversary Served Up Past “Thrivers” And Future Possibilities
Baylor Scott And White Dallas Foundation's 25th Celebrating Women Luncheon anniversary was a poignant progress report of the battle against breast cancer, with very real people from all walks of life who have been faced with this daunting disease. Starting off with the VIP reception in the Hilton … Read More...
JUST IN: Dr. Robert Berryman And The Late Larry Hagman To Be Honored At St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon
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Debbie And Nickey Oates Arrived Just In Time To Host 25th Anniversary Celebrating Women Patron Party
Debbie and Nickey Oates had just returned from a couple of weeks in Italy to host Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation's (BSWDF) 2024 Celebrating Women patron party on Wednesday, October 16. The night could not have been more perfect at the Oates estate as the mallard ducks settled along the … Read More...
MySweetWishList: Ability Connection
According to Ability Connection Board Member and advocate Debbie Francis, “Ability Connection proves daily that there are truly angels among us! Along with essential care, they bring dignity and joy to children and adults with lifelong mental and physical disabilities. Our family is forever … Read More...