According to 2015 Breakfast For The Bridge Co-Chair Megan McManemin,
“My husband Casey and I have been closely involved for several years with The Bridge, an innovative homeless recovery center in downtown Dallas that provides services to the most impoverished residents of our community. We are honored to serve as co-chairs of the 2015 Breakfast for The Bridge, which will be held at the Omni Dallas Hotel on November 20 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. (Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.)
“I volunteer in the library at The Bridge, which was recently renovated as an Eagle Scout project, and assist with a music therapy program called Bridge Beats. Mack’s at The Bridge, which opened in 2012, is dedicated to Casey’s grandfather, who owned a barbershop in East Dallas. It is incredibly humbling to see how a simple haircut can physically and mentally transform a person. What we love most about The Bridge is the kindness and respect given to their clients, which are referred to as “guests.” The staff and volunteers truly care. This humanity fits well into our theme for the breakfast – Humankind.
“We are thrilled to have Dallas’ own Willie Baronet as the keynote speaker. Willie is a noted artist, author, TedXSMU talker and creative soul. He is a Stan Richards Professor in Creative Advertising at the Temerlin Advertising Institute at SMU. Since 1993, Willie has been buying and collecting signs from the homeless for the purpose of using them in art exhibits and documentaries. These signs and this practice have become a catalyst for conversations about the nature of home, homelessness, compassion and how we see and treat each other as humans. Learn more about Willie here.
“The Bridge Builder award is honoring Larry Sykes. Larry has volunteered more than 800 hours at The Bridge and says, “Our guests are just like us. Many have college educations and good job history, but life got in the way and their support systems weren’t what we had. It is an honor to serve them.” Larry’s empathy for the underserved, compassionate heart and can-do spirit epitomizes The Bridge’s mission.
“Don’t miss the 2015 Breakfast for The Bridge. Come for breakfast and leave inspired. What a great way start your day! Please reach out to Teresa Hiser at 214.670.1137 for information about tickets and sponsorships.”
* Photo provided by Breakfast For The Bridge