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JUST IN: 2023 Beacon Of Hope Luncheon To Feature Dak Prescott And Solomon Thomas
On the surface, some folks might think that the only thing that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and New York Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas have in common is a heck of a lot of pressure to succeed on the playing field. But behind the scenes, their personal lives are also pretty similar. They both went to college (Dak – Mississippi State University) and (Solomon – Stanford University); they’re both single and they both come from multi-racial families.
Unfortunately, Dak and Solomon share something else — the impact that suicide and depression have had on them and their families.
For Dak, it was his older 31-year-old brother Jace Prescott’s suicide in 2020; for Solomon, it was his sister Ella Thomas at the age of 24 in 2017. In both cases, the loss of their siblings resulted in Dak’s and Solomon’s dealing with their own battle with depression.
As a result, each man created a foundation to educate about suicide in order to prevent it. Dak established the Faith Fight Finish Foundation; Solomon and his family created The Defensive Line.
In addition to their own personal efforts, Dak and Solomon have partnered publicly to shine a light on the issue. Just last April Dak reported at the Metrocare Services’ “Meal For The Mind Luncheon” that he and Solomon were working with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in creating a National Suicide Prevention Hotline “988” for suicide prevention which went live this past July 16.
Now, Grant Halliburton Foundation’s 14th Annual Beacon of Hope Luncheon will bring Dak and Solomon together for a very open and frank conversation moderated by CBS 11 Sports Anchor Andy Adler.
Luncheon Co-Chairs Jeanie and Bert Conly and their family have arranged for the luncheon to take place on Tuesday, March 7, at the Omni Dallas Hotel with proceeds supporting Grant Halliburton’s mission to “strengthen the network of mental health resources for children, teens and young adults; promote better mental health; and help prevent suicide.”
Sponsorships and tickets are available here. Of course, sponsorships definitely have perks. So, if your budget can afford it, splurge for Visionary Sponsorship Level or above that includes invitations to an “exclusive meet and greet with Dak and Solomon.”
* Graphic courtesy of Grant Halliburton Foundation
JUST IN: Dallas Afterschool Is Playing Around With Genai, Timmy And Scott For Recess!
Last night Ellen and Steve Miller opened their Preston Hollow home for a bunch of people who like to play games. It was for the host committee kickoff of the 2023 Recess! fundraiser for Dallas Afterschool.
And since the event will take place at The Empire Room on Friday, March 24, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. with guests competing for prizes and honors, it was only natural to have a couple of dyed-in-the-wool athletes topping the leadership roles. Chairing the night of fun and games will be former WNBA player Genai Walker with former Dallas Cowboy Timmy Newsome serving as honorary chair.
To keep the competitors from getting unruly, former NBC Sport Director/Anchor Scott Murray will serve as referee.
Dallas Afterschool CEO Marjorie Murat said, “We are thrilled to have Genai, Timmy and Scott on our team for this year’s Recess. Not only are these individuals incredible talented, they also continue to be incredible role models to children in our community.
As for the games, there will be no tossing of the dice and dealing cards for high stakes. Rather, the evening is a chance for grown-ups to let their inner child loose with “gourmet cafeteria-inspired food, sipping spiked adult juice boxes, competing in nostalgic schoolyard games for luxury prizes and dancing the night away to live music from Manhattan.”
And, yes, the favorite sandbox will be returning with luxury prizes as well as the ring toss for wine and highly competitive musical chairs.
So, get a babysitter for your kids, pick your sponsorship and plan on having fun to fundraise. Tickets will be on sale soon.
Proceeds from the night will support Dallas Afterschool’s “work with 180 afterschool sites and over 14,000 Dallas children.”
* Graphic/photo provided by Dallas Afterschool
SAWA Fashion Show Kick-Off Was Accessorized With Minaudieres And A Scarf Of Poppies
Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Dallas President Jennifer Dix looked a bit startled at the turnout for the SAWA Fashion Show And Luncheon sneak preview on Tuesday, January 10. She admitted that sine January was typically a month lacking of events, the crowd like Claire Emanuelson, DeeDee Lee, Christie Carter, Amber Cohen, Shannon Graham, Shelle Sills, Victoria Snee, Katy Leyendecker, Candace Winslow, Ciara Biggers and Kerry McStay spilling into all parts of Vanessa and Steve Sloan‘s home amazed her.
But husband Richard Dix wasn’t surprised. In fact he looked relieved at the last few months that had thrown the Dix household into non-stop activity. Just following Jennifer’s chairing the Crystal Charity Ball Fashion Show, she had had emergency gall bladder surgery and their daughter Gracie Dix had started being part of the 2023 Dallas Symphony Orchestra League debutante collection. Adding to the activity, Jennifer had been working with SAWA Fashion Show Chair Kim Quinn to create the 30th anniversary of the fashion favorite that includes gently experienced clothes and accessories.
Speaking of accessories, Jennifer’s Judith Leiber and SAWA Fashion Show Honorary Co-Chair Lisa Cooley‘s Chanel minaudieres topped off their looks for the evening of fashionable fundraising. Let’s face it— handbags are to an outfit what lipstick is to the face.
When asked about 2020-2021 SAWA Fashion Show Chair Kim Hext‘s missing zipper for her CCB Balmain gown, she admitted that even if her tailor hadn’t been able to save the day, she would have put thread and needle to work herself. As Kim put it, “Others may come packing. I carry a sewing kit.”
As the guests like longtime SAWA supporters Ramona Jones, Carol Seay, Carole Ann Brown and Barbara Sypult gathered to hear fashion show plans announced on the outdoor terrace in 70-degree temperatures, it wasn’t strictly a ladies-only get together. In addition to Richard and Clay, there was a tall gentleman smiling as the plans were announced. One was that the inaugural Legacy Award would be presented to fashion producer extraordinaire Jan Strimple.
The grinning gent was Jan’s husband, golf-loving Dan Strimple. When asked how Jan had adapted to living part-time on their Ohio farm, Dan admitted that he had wondered whether the fashion icon would make the transition. But his concerns were for naught. According to Dan, Jan wakes up each day enjoying the surroundings while still keeping a few Dallas productions on her calendar, like Equest and KidneyTexas.
Luckily, Jan has had Robyn Chauvin taking on some of her clients including the SAWA Fashion Show. But on this night Robyn was delayed to hear the announcements by Major Dawn McFarland, Jennifer and Kim. It seems she was tending to her her son, who had just broken his arm.
After that were announcements that the Margot Perot Service Award recipient would be Michal Powell and Clay Cooley would be joining Lisa as honorary co-chair and daughter-in-law Bela Cooley would be in charge of the Couture Committee for the event at the Meyerson on Tuesday, May 16.
Among the perks added this year was the creation of a silk scarf by local artist Liana Yarckin who “took her inspiration from the Salvation Army flower, the poppy.”
Before closing the program, Kim Q. put out the call for closets to be examined for possible donations for the fundraiser.
As guests picked up their cars from the valets, Elizabeth Gambrell doffed her shoes for a walk home.
2023 Can Do! Luncheon Letter Signing Was Right At Home Around Liza Collins’ Dinner Table
Despite Tuesday’s cold, rainy day, Liza Collins‘ home was the perfect spot for a letter signing. Had it been a sunny day, the backyard pool, two-hole putting green and basketball half-court would have been a temptation to just scrap the day’s duties and lounge outside.
But there was a deadline to get the Can Do! Luncheon letters to the post office by Thursday.
After all, the Wilkinson Center fundraiser is taking place on Monday, April 3, at the Dallas Country Club, and time was a wasting to get the news out about the 2023 awardees.
It was just a year ago that Liza and her Pi Phi sorority sister Rachel Stephens had received the Can Do! Award for their continuing the late Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler’s longstanding food drive benefiting Wilkinson Center. To ramp up their support of Wilkinson, they’ve signed up to co-chair the 2023 Can Do! Luncheon fundraiser for the organization that has “empowered families to reach self-sufficiency” for more than 40 years.
According to Liza, “Rachel and I are so passionate about the work the Wilkinson Center does year round to transform the lives of Dallas families. Wilkinson Center offers life-changing programs that provide its clients a pathway to success – from helping navigate challenges like food insecurity and unemployment all the way to education. Dallas families are so fortunate to have free access to all that the Center offers as they work to all that the Center offers, and we look forward to continuing to raise awareness and funds to help support these incredible programs.”
As Wilkinson volunteers and staffers gathered around the Collins dinner table to put their John Hancocks on letters early Tuesday morning, Rachel laughed that her husband had been surprised to see her looking so nice so early in the morning. She admitted that thanks to the pandemic she had gotten used to not getting up to gear until later in the morning.
Included in the letter was news about the 2023 Can Do! awardees that will include:
- Beth And Chuck Thoele for their continued generosity and unwavering support of Wilkinson Center and so many other nonprofits and organizations in Dallas. As well, Beth is a former chair of the Can Do! Luncheon.
- Celanese for its generosity and volunteer support of many Wilkinson programs, including food pantry service, senior lunch and learn, and adult education, as well as helping at events.
- Maricruz Lopez for her persistence and determination that enabled her to overcome barriers to achieve her goals and provide a better future for herself and her family.
Receiving the Kids Can Too! Award will be Ursuline Academy of Dallas for its commitment to serving the greater Dallas community. Students from Ursuline have supported Wilkinson Center’s Food Pantry through volunteering, donations, and intensive service-learning projects.
Wilkinson Center Executive Director Anne Reeder said, “We are so excited to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations at our 11th annual Can Do! Luncheon. Through their leadership, generosity, perseverance and service, they each exemplify the ‘can do’ spirit that inspires us all. We are also so grateful to our Co-Chairs Liza Collins and Rachel Stephens for their hard work and dedication in making this year’s luncheon such a success. Their efforts will help Wilkinson Center continue to put our clients on the path to self-sufficiency in 2023.”
Individual tickets and sponsorships are available here.
* Graphic courtesy of Wilkinson Center
Grovel Alert: Dallas CASA Young Professionals’ CASAblanca
If you had your best partying clothes all pressed and ready for Dallas CASA Young Professionals’ CASAblanca on Saturday, February 4, at The Hall on Dragon, let’s hope you already have your tickets reserved.
According to CASAblanca Co-Chairs Anuka Dhakal, Brooke Donelson and Melissa Wong, the fundraiser is nearing the sold-out stage.
BTW, there’s a mistaken theory that the party was only for Young Professional members. Oh, so no! It’s open to anyone who wants to play casino games, dance the night away thanks to The Special Edition Band and support Dallas CASA’s mission to advocate for youngsters in the Dallas foster program.
So, don’t dawdle around if your procrastination gene has delayed your buying into the night of fun, food and friends, both old and new.
* Photo credit: Tim Heitman
Family Gateway Board Of Directors Has A New Slate Of Officers And Six Additional Members
With the growing number of homeless families in North Texas seeking aid, Family Gateway has six new board members in addition to its 2023 board leaders. Heading up the board are Chair Michelle Frymire, Vice-Chair Maritza Liaw, Treasurer Matt Gerkens, Secretary Shay Phillips and At-Large Board … Read More...
Center For BrainHealth Celebrated Holiday Reception And Branch Award Despite Chilly Weather
For the first time ever, the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas combined its Holiday Reception with the celebration of its annual Charles L. Branch BrainHealth Award, holding the mixed-purpose fete at the Dallas Arboretum's Alex Camp House on Thursday evening, December 8. … Read More...
Callier Cares Luncheon Letter Signing Was Ideal To Catch Up And Have A “Rosie” Guest
Like Mahjong games and quilting bees, letter signings are ripe for the exchange of news among the participants. Recently one such example was the Foundation for the Callier Center’s Callier Cares Luncheon signing letters to underwriters about the Callier Center for Communication Disorders that is … Read More...
JUST IN: Lisa “Vanderpump Rules” 2023 Chick Lit Luncheon That Will Also Feature A “Paige” Tribute
Just before Covid started shaking things up in 2020, Sally Dutter and Beth Thoele were all set to co-chair Community Partners of Dallas’ Chick Lit Luncheon. It was scheduled for Friday, March 27, at the Hilton Anatole, with the Moody Foundation receiving the Partners for Children Award and Diane … Read More...
15th Annual Day At The Races Is Off To A Galloping Start For Turtle Creek Conservancy Fundraiser
Since the Pony Express isn’t still around, 2023 Day At The Races Co-Chair Katherine Wyker is using the U.S. Postal service to deliver the news about the Turtle Creek Conservancy fundraiser. After a roundtable of letter signing by Katherine, Underwriting Chair Gail Corder Fischer, … Read More...
Destiny Award Luncheon Will Have A “Sterling” Conversation For St. Philip’s School And Community Center
And the announcements keep pouring in boding for a very busy spring fundraising season. The latest to arrive is about the 2023 Destiny Award Luncheon. Co-Chairs Kacy and Carter Tolleson and Honorary Co-Chairs Diana and Todd Maclin have revealed the details for the St. Philip’s School and Community … Read More...