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North Texas Food Bank’s 22nd Annual Empty Bowls Is Transitioning Into A Drive-Thru
After months of orchestrating drive-thru food distributions to thousands of people in need, the North Texas Food Bank has become the ultimate operation for all others to follow. Having perfected the program, it was only natural that the NTFB-ers would use such expertise for their annual 22nd Empty Bowls fundraiser presented by Kroger on Thursday, February 25.
Instead of hosting a lunch or a dinner event, they’ll be holding the first-ever Empty Bowls Drive-Thru at their Bette Perot Campus (3677 Mapleshade Lane in Plano) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. where guests will pick up their order.
It will be a totally family-oriented affair with the following packages available:
- Adult Bowl Box for $45 each — a handmade artisan bowl, gourmet 5-oz. soup mix, recipe cards from previous Empty Bowl restaurants and NTFB staff, NTFB’s Tough Choice’s Game and more that will support NTFB to provide 135 nutritious meals
- Adult Bowl Box (Vegetarian) for $45 each — a handmade artisan bowl, gourmet 5-oz. vegetarian soup mix, recipe cards from previous Empty Bowl restaurants and NTFB staff, NTFB’s Tough Choice’s Game and more that will support NTFB to provide 135 nutritious meals
- Kid Bowl Bag (12 and under) for $10 each — an artisan kid’s bowl, NTFB Activity Book And Coloring Pages and NTFB sticker that will support NTFB to provide 30 nutritious meals
They’ve even arranged to have 60 sets of three bottles of wine ranging in value from $20-$50 for a $50 wine pull.
Tickets are available now, but better hurry and sign up before the “Sold Out” sign goes up.
* Graphic/photo courtesy of North Texas Food Bank
Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s Annual Savor The Symphony To Be A Hybrid Event
As the COVID-19 vaccination roll out is recovering from the initial slo-mo debut, some fundraisers are taking steps to edge out of the total virtual event world. One example is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League and its Savor The Symphony.
Savor Chair Sharon Ballew is “taking the precautions necessary so it will be a hybrid event to be held as both a live and virtual event.”
Scheduled for Thursday, April 29, the festivities kick off with a reception at 6:30 followed by a 7 p.m. dinner and program at 7:45 p.m.
Thanks to Savor Honorary Chair Roberta Corbett, DSOL President Anne Ligon and an advisory committee (Barbara Bigham, Carole Ann Brown, Mari Epperson, Renee Farren, Jill Goldberg, Bettina Hennessy and Venise Stuart), Sharon has arranged for guests to have a choice on how they’ll participate. For those wanting some socially distanced in a ballroom, they’ll head to The Ritz-Carlton Dallas. For those still wary of large gatherings, they may host friends at their home. For the latter crowd, three-course dinners will be delivered to their home and the evening’s program will be live streamed directly to them.
Funds raised from Savor and the other DSOL fundraising efforts “will benefit the outreach and education programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.”
* Graphic/photo provided Dallas Symphony Orchestra League
Wild Night In’s Auction Bids Are Already Roaring Along With A Hip[po] Raffle For Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo’s Wild Night In auction and raffle are up and the action is underway. Of course, you’ll want to know the leaderboard’s current tip-top item of the dozens of packages. It’s the “Elephant Feeding” package that has a maximum of eight guests getting “an up close and personal meeting with some of our elephants. Guests will learn all about our elephants, as well as elephants in the wild, as they help them get some tasty snacks!” Including two parking passes and all-day Zoo admission, the value placed on the package is $550. Yipes! The current bid is already $4,030.
Another eye-catcher is the “Private Tiger Demonstration” for four plus one parking pass valued at $300. But thanks to it being a “private viewing tiger experience while learning all about the importance of daily enrichment from our carnivore zoologists,” it just hit $715.
The “pride” of the auction is the “Private Lion Demonstration” that will enable the winner and five others to check out the Zoo’s cubs (Izwi, Ilola and Tadala) that were born Monday, August 17. It’s valued at $325 and has just received a bid for $630.
Not to be left out is the “Hippo Adventure Raffle Ticket” that’s going for $20 each or six tickets for $100. The winner plus a guest will have a rare, private tour of Boipelo’s, Adanna’s and Gus’s hippo building, with “an exciting training demonstration” followed by a private breakfast or lunch at the underwater viewing window.
The auction and raffle will close on Monday, February 1, so keep an eagle eye out to see if your bid needs some refreshening.
* Graphic courtesy of Dallas Zoo
JUST IN: The Family Place CEO Paige Flink’s Retirement Is Officially Announced
The Dallas Morning News’ Cheryl Hall has officially put an end to the rumors about The Family Place CEO Paige Flink‘s retiring.
The rumors were true.
As Paige put it in the story, “Oct. 1, 2021, is my 30-year anniversary. I turn 65 in July. It’s time for a new quarterback and a new set of legs.”
In conducting a pre-opening tour of The Family Place’s Ann Moody Place in August 2017, Paige was already dropping hints that her stay in the new office overlooking the property might not be long-term.
During her tenure, she’s seen the organization grow into “the largest family violence services provider in Texas, with three emergency shelters providing 177 shelter beds each night, including the state’s only shelter for men and children, and three counseling centers.”
But Paige isn’t boxing up her “stuff” yet. She plans to stick around until her successor comes on board for a smooth transition.
In the meantime, she’s set a heady goal for herself — to raise $20M by the end of the year for The Family Place’s endowment fund. While Paige admits that she was relieved that The Family Place’s supporters provided funding to weather the pandemic, she is looking to the possibility of a similar situation taking place in the years to come. To achieve her goal, she’s tapped two powerhouse fundraisers — Claire Emanuelson and Lynn McBee to join her on her quest.
Suggestion: Instead of giving Paige the typical parting gift of a gold watch, give her a lifetime Partners Card. Don’t you know she’ll put it use.
Dallas And Fort Worth YMCA’s Offering Free Memberships To Incentivize “Bigs” Sign Ups
When two North Texas nonprofits get together on a project, it almost always spells success for its clients, staff, supporters and community. Such a partnership is taking place and has all the signs of being another winner.
Since January is National Mentoring Month, the area Big Brothers Big Sisters (aka “Bigs”) is teaming up with Dallas and Fort Worth YMCA’s (aka “the Y”) to provide a boost to the number of Bigs, who will “have the opportunity to spend time together two to four times per month” with their Little Brothers Little Sisters (aka “Littles”).
The Y is not only offering free memberships for both Bigs and their Littles, the facilities will “provide healthy activities for Bigs and Littles to do together including swimming, sports, exercise classes and more experiences that will create long-lasting memories.”
According to YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas CEO Curt Hazelbaker, “At the YMCA, we are dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This partnership with BBBS is a natural fit that embodies our mission. The Y is a safe space for Big and Littles to develop healthy habits together while learning valuable life lessons.”
With more than 500 kids on the wait-list hoping for a Bigs match and the all-too-familiar COVID-19 challenges, the timing couldn’t be better.
As Bigs Dallas Market Senior VP of Corporate and Community Engagement Jamila Thomas reported, “We recognize the importance, now more than ever, that the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters serves to connect hearts with hearts, people with people and what better way to bring out the best in all of us than through the hearts and resilient minds of young people.”
BTW, if you’re already a Big, the perk of free membership is available for you, too.
* Graphic/photo courtesy of YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
Queen Of Hearts Vintage Fashion Show And Tea Celebrates The Alexander Mansion’s Bygone Era
Despite this season pretty much turning into a virtual fundraising experience, there are exceptions. But they are being held under the strict enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines. One of them is benefiting the stately Alexander Mansion on Ross Avenue. Just a few blocks away from the towering, glass … Read More...
Tuesday I Got My Wish Granted, Got Shot And Was Still Able To Prepare Dinner
Tuesday I found myself clicking onto a COVID-19 vaccine hub site and finding a window of times that were available for my vaccination to take place immediately. At first the sign of availability was shocking after days of “no times available.” Must admit that I was starting to feel like a … Read More...
The Family Place Adds A Dozen New Members To Its Board Of Directors
The Family Place has 12 new people on its board of directors. The group that ranges from community volunteers to business executives includes the following: Laurie Berger of West Plano Pediatrics; community volunteer Nancy Bierman, Nicole Collins of American First Finance, Theresa Flores of Mary Kay … Read More...
January 19 Update: Going Virtual, Rescheduled And Transformed
As the COVID-19 continues its onslaught and vaccinations are being distributed, so the North Texas nonprofits adjust and accommodate the ever-changing demands of scheduling for the best of supporters and efforts. Here is a slew of changes to mark on your calendar: Going Virtual … Read More...
2021 Cattle Baron’s Ball Is “Doubling Down Against Cancer” With The Gala And Golf Tournament
2021 Cattle Baron’s Ball Co-Chairs Diana Hamilton and Heather Randall are putting all their news in one announcement. It seems to raise funds for cancer research in North Texas, they just revealed that in addition to the big gala returning to Gilley’s, they’ve resurrected an event from the past —the … Read More...
Retina Foundation’s Monthly Series “Retina Scientist Hour” Kicks Off With A Focus On Pediatric Lazy Eye
As the baby boomers' accessory du jour is the “reader” glass wear, more serious optical issues are commanding attention and getting results from the advanced research. For instance, there's amblyopia that for nonprofessionals goes by the tag “lazy eye”. In addition to the appearance that the … Read More...