Some 200 fans of The Family Place gathered at Hotel ZaZa on Thursday, January 28, to learn that the agency’s Partners Card 2015, presented by Bank of Texas, had raised more than $1.15 million during its annual run held earlier last fall. The result meant that the big shopping fundraiser had surpassed the $1 million mark for the fifth straight year.
“This was our best year ever” for net revenue, said Paige Flink, CEO of The Family Place. Why does she think it happened? “Because the economy was better, and the sellers did their jobs,” Flink said. “They sold more cards than ever. … The sacrifices of the retailers and their associates is what makes Partners Card work.”
An estimated 750 retailers and restaurants participated in the program, which ran from October 30 through November 8, 2015. During that period, shoppers around North Texas received a 20 percent discount with the purchase of a $70 Partners Card. One hundred percent of the purchase price of each card directly benefited The Family Place, Dallas’ largest family violence agency.
Debbie Munir, who co-chaired the 2015 campaign with Melissa Boler and Ashlee Weidner, said the record results were no accident. “We continued to try to expand the program, and we just kept growing and growing,” Munir said. “For example, we’re starting to get additional retailers involved in Southlake.”
The 2015 co-chairs were joined at the ZaZa by Honorary Chair Rhonda Sargent Chambers and the 2016 Partners Card co-chairs: Elizabeth Dacus, Samantha Wortley and Jane Rozelle. Others in the crowd included Angela Nash, Eric White and Lynn McBee.
Since 1978, The Family Place has counseled more than 225,000 clients, provided life-saving shelter to more than 22,000 women and children, and answered more than 550,000 calls for help. Among other things, funds raised through the Partners Card program help provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, counseling, after-school programs for children, and job skills for adults.
* Photo credit: George Fiala
Kristi Kerr Leonard says
What an inspiration for our city! The Family Place does great work!