Main Content
Christine Ortega Named Volunteer McKinney’s New Executive Director
Christine Ortega has been named executive director of Volunteer McKinney. Currently serving as Collin County Homeless Coalition emeritus director and a co-founder of StepUp Frisco, Christine has more than “17 years of experience in the non-profit space serving disadvantaged populations and leading outreach opportunities across faith groups and multiple non-profit organizations.”
According to Volunteer McKinney Board of Directors President Beth Hensley, “Christine’s warmth and practical approach to problem-solving community issues will be an opportunity for companies and agencies to share goals and also move individual missions forward with action and mobilization by working together.”
Founded in 1998, Volunteer McKinney provides opportunities for people to become involved with the community by holding “many networking events, speaking engagements and workshops while engaging companies and nonprofits to succeed in the world of philanthropy.”
It has also served the community through such events as National “Make a Difference Day,” Collin County Giving Day Party in the Park, Santa on the Square™ and The Spirit of McKinney Volunteer Awards.
On Thursday, May 27, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., the Executive Directors and Leaders Breakfast will provide an opportunity for folks to meet Christine at the McKinney Performing Art Center.
In accepting her new role, Christine said, “Volunteer McKinney is strong today because of the tireless work of the board and community over the past two decades. I am a strong believer that volunteers are the backbone, heart and soul of the McKinney community and that together we will accomplish much.”
Christine’s predecessors include Edie Heinicke, who served from February 2019 to February 2021, Dana Riley from June 2012 to November 2018 and Sheila Miller, who held the position from 2003 to 2012.
* Photo provided by Volunteer McKinney
2021 Cattle Baron’s Ball Raffle’s Six Luxury Packages Revealed
The Cattle Baron’s Baronesses had a lovely day on the Four Season’s golf course Monday for the CBB Golf Tournament. Luckily, the final team played the 18th hole before the weather turned grumpy.
But the gals arent’ just settling back to enjoy Monday’s outing. They’re moving on with still another fundraising project — the Cattle Baron’s Raffle!
2021 Cattle Baron’s Ball Double Down Against Cancer Co-Chairs Diana Hamilton and Heather Randall along with Raffle Co-Chairs Tara Versfelt and Mackenzie Wallace and their committee members Kristin Baker and Dolores Volkman have revealed the luxury items that will up for grabs.
There are just a half dozen including:
$100 for each ticket or six for $500
- Park Place (Value: $58,500*) – The winner will get to choose between a 2021 Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Range Rover Velar and Porsche Macon.
$25 for each ticket or five for $100
- NorthPark Center Shopping Experience (Value: $15,000) – Experience The Art of Shopping with $15,000 in NorthPark Gold. Shop to your heart’s content at NorthPark’s unparalleled mix of retailers, from Dolce and Gabbana and Salvatore Ferragamo to Eataly and Neiman Marcus. NorthPark Gold works like cash at all participating NorthPark retailers, restaurants, spas, and theatres. NorthPark Gold does not expire.
- Susurros Del Corazón Resort (Value: $14,000) – Four-night stay in a four-bedroom villa at Susurros del Corazón, a new Auberge Resort, in Punta de Mita, Mexico. Includes airport transfers, daily breakfast, mixology class, and one $200 Auberge Spa credit. Use of this certificate is subject to availability and certain blackout dates apply. Certificate cannot be combined with any other offer or special promotions. Certificate must be presented upon redemption, is non-transferable, and has no cash value. Does not include alcohol, except what is stated. Expires March 31, 2023.
- Eiseman Jewels and Breitling (Value: $10,090) – One lucky winner will enjoy a new Breitling Navitimer BOl Chronograph 46 from Eiseman Jewels NorthPark Center, proudly supporting Cattle Baron’s Ball for 47 years. Featuring a steel case with a black dial with white sub dials, the 46 mm Navitimer features a chronometer-certified, high performance self-winding mechanical movement and is powered by Manufacture Breitling Caliber B01. For “double” the look, the timepiece comes on a stainless steel bracelet, but with an additional Breitling blue alligator strap with white stitching and stainless buckle. No exchanges or returns.
- PlainsCapital Bank $10,000 Debit Card (Value: $10,000) – Buy a ticket for a chance to win a $10,000 debit card from Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank, one of the largest banks founded and headquartered in Texas. PlainsCapital specializes in meeting the unique needs of high-net-worth individuals and middle-market businesses, including commercial real estate, treasury management and wealth management services. Member FDIC.
- No-Wait Restaurant Pass (Value: $3,000) – One exclusive, priority seating, no-wait pass at Dallas’ renowned Hillstone Park Cities, R+D Kitchen, and The Honor Bar. Pass allows up to four guests per visit. This exclusive pass allows the passholder to call when en route, then be seated at the next available table upon arrival. Pass is non-transferable and raffle winner must be present for use. May only be used at Hillstone Restaurant Park Cities, R+D Kitchen and The Honor Bar in Dallas. Valid November l, 2021-Octobor 31, 2022.
To take a chance, you can either call the CBB office at 214.443.9222 or ask your favorite baroness. The drawings will take place at the 2021 CBB Ball on Saturday, October 23, at Gilley’s.
* Approximate MSRP. Car shown is not the actual prize vehicle. Winner is responsible for vehicle tax, title and any registration fees. ** Graphic provided by 2021 Cattle Baron's Ball
Momentous Institute’s Virtual “Changing The Odds” Conference To Feature Top-Tier Lineup Of Speakers
The past year’s pandemic has provided daunting challenges to educators, mental health professionals, non-profit professionals and organizations working with children. Last year’s postponement of the Changing the Odds Conference by the Momentous Institute was such a blow.
The good news is that the Institute is indeed proceeding with its rescheduling of the 9th Annual Changing the Odds conference. It will be taking place on Thursday, October 28, and Friday, October 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Institute organizers managed to have the original slate of speakers still on board, including for the 2021 event:
- Jon Batiste is a renowned musician, educator and television personality who balances many roles, including bandleader with the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and artistic director at large of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
- Dena Simmons, Ed.D., is founder of LiberatED, a collective focused on developing school-based resources at the intersection of social and emotional learning (SEL), racial justice and healing. She is former Assistant Director of Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and the author of the forthcoming book, “White Rules for Black People.”
- Cheryl Strayed is author of the New York Times best-selling memoir “Wild,” which subsequently became an Oscar-nominated film adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern.
Among the other speakers coming on board to the all-star lineup are
- Christina Bethell, PH.D., MBA, MPH, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, where she promotes a new “Science of Thriving” to promote the social, emotional and relational roots of well-being.
- Dr. Gail Christopher is known for her pioneering work as leader of the Healing Initiative and Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation efforts. She is the former senior advisor and vice president of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
- Ingrid Fetell Lee is the author of “Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness” and founder of The Aesthetics of Joy.
Check here for updates on additional speakers.
While the original plan was to have the conference at the Omni Dallas Hotel, the 2021 event will be held on a virtual platform allowing for involvement from near and far.
* Graphic courtesy of Momentous Institute
Bryan’s House Raffle Won’t Put Your Credit Card Into Shock But May Provide A Resort Escape
While the Bryan’s House Pathways to Inclusion Luncheon is still months away (Wednesday, September 22, to be exact), their Spring Raffle is taking place through Memorial Day (Monday, May 31, to be exact) and it doesn’t require a platinum card workout.
There are all types of trips, trinkets and takeaways in the three categories like the lead item: a Mexican getaway. The winner gets a choice of a four-night stay at either the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort in Cancun or the Westin Resort Villas and Spa in Los Cabos. It’s gonna be a tough choice since both offer a one-bedroom ocean-view villa that can accommodate four plus all the perks of luxurious pampering. Both of the resorts have received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and AAA Four Diamond Award. Airfare up to $800 is included for the package valued at $2,300. To take a chance on this south of the border get-away, the raffle ticket is going for $50 or three for $100.
The other two raffle levels include the following goodies:
$20 Ticket Prizes
- Mini-Staycation for Two at the Joule (Value: $500)
- Stanley Korshak Create Your Own Party (Value: $1,500)
- Stanley Korshak Champagne and Beauty (Value: $800)
- Elizabeth W Boutique VIP Shopping Experience (Value: $1,500)
- Levenity Design Custom Cocktail Dress (Value: $1,000)
- Neat Method (Value: $760)
- Total Wine and More (Value: $500)
- Lav’s Kitchen Table and Flourish Lunch for Ten (Value: $2,500)
- Deborah Gaspar “Rhea” Gold and Silver Necklace (Value: $550)
- Aravaggio Photography Family Photo Session (Value: $750)
$2 Ticket Prizes or Six for $10
- $50 Beatnik Fine Goods
- $250 Penny Lane Vintage
- $50 Finley Shirts
- $50 Mal Malouf
- $50 Nicole Kwon Concept Store
- (2) $100 House of MacGregor
- $25 Cykochik Handbags
- (6) $50 Dolce Vita
- (2) $25 Hip & Hippie Candles
- $50 SpeedPro Imaging of Fort Worth
- $25 Tulum Restaurant
- $25 Village Burger Bar
- $25 Brown Bag Provisions
- $45 Amor Y Queso
- $50 Home on Bishop
- $50 Bishop Street Market
- $50 HOUZZ on Bishop
- $75 Haute Floral
- (2) 7-Pack Mary’s Mountain Cookies Frisco
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 1, via social media.
Proceeds will benefit Bryan’s House’s mission to “develop progressive and accessible pathways to inclusion to better serve more at-risk children with special needs in North Texas.”
* Photo provided by Bryan's House
The Layton Ladies (Beth And Katie) Are “Back In The Saddle” For Equest Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show And Luncheon
For the Chinese calendar, 2021 is the Year of the Ox. For North Texas fundraising, it may be the Year of the Mother-Daughter.” In addition to the announcement that Debbie Snell and daughter Caroline Snell Wagner were on board for The Family Place’s 2021 Partners Card, the Equest Women Auxiliary is stampeding ahead with its mom-daughter powerhouse team of Beth Layton and Katie Layton.
Auxiliary President Katie managed to get her mom Beth to chair the 2021 Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show and Luncheon on Tuesday, October 5, at Brook Hollow.
In addition to already picking a theme —“Back In The Saddle” — the Layton ladies have good friend and former Auxiliary president Nancy Carter to serve as honorary chair.
Another to join the Layton posse is longtime Equest supporter Robyn Conlon, who will receive the Community Service Award.
Not only will Highland Park Village return as the presenting sponsor, their merchants like Akris, Carolina Herrera, Etro, Lela Rose, Jimmy Choo, Roller Rabbit, St. John and Veronica Beard will be on the runway under the direction of Jan Strimple.
While the event is still months away, Katie “is recruiting auxiliary members through the month of May.”
According to Katie, “Our goal is to help raise much-needed funding for the programs at Equest that continue to change lives through therapeutic horsemanship and equine-assisted therapies.”
DHS Tries Again With A New Date And Return To Fairmont Dallas For 39th Awards For Excellence
The poor folks over at the Dallas Historical Society have had their share of challenges thanks to the pandemic and Winter Storm Uri. First, they postponed their 39th Awards for Excellence Luncheon on November 2020 at the Fairmont to an evening event on February 18, 2021, in the recently renovated … Read More...
Healing Hands Ministries Has All Hands On Deck For Its Luncheon Fundraiser With Tim Brown
While the Dallas Cowboys and the rest of the NFL haven’t locked down dates for the 2021 season, Healing Hands Luncheon Co-Chairs Gina and Ken Betts and Amy and Paul Wilson have their dates, place, keynote speaker and honorary chair all signed up. Benefiting Healing Hands Ministries, the … Read More...
Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Is Turning Tea For Two Into Two-fer For Tea With Designs
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary's 2021 Fashion Show and Luncheon Chair Kim Hext may have had to cancel the annual fashion show because of that dang pandemic, but she’s turning the old “tea for two” into “two for tea.” She wasn’t giving up on providing funds for the Salvation Army of North … Read More...
Saturday’s Black Heritage Celebration To Kick Off The Arboretum’s 2021 ZimSculpt Exhibition
Despite umbrellas being the accessory du jour at the Arboretum this morning, guests were not deterred from attending the welcome of two special programs — the return of ZimSculpt and the inaugural Black Heritage Celebration — that will officially begin Saturday. Because of the … Read More...
Sold-Out Savor The Symphony At The Ritz Was A Gathering Of Music-Loving Friends
Before Savor the Symphony officially got started Thursday night at The Ritz, the size of the crowd was already impressive. According to organizers the fundraising event had achieved sold-out status quickly due to the pandemic’s limiting the attendance to less than 140. Another person laughed it was … Read More...
JUST IN: Black Tie Dinner Has Plans To Continue Its Run As The Nation’s Largest LGBTQ Fundraising Dinner
Texans are often accused of being braggadocios about being the best, the finest, the richest, etc. Well, in the case of the Black Tie Dinner, it ain’t brag; it’s a fact that it is the nation’s largest LGBTQ fundraising dinner of its kind. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Black Tie Dinner … Read More...