Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki may have retired from the court action, but he’s taken on a second career with his wife Jessica Nowitzki in the world of nonprofits. In addition to serving as honorary co-chairs of the 2019 North Texas Giving Day on Thursday, September 19, they’ll receive the 2019 Judge Barefoot Sanders Champion of Children Award at the annual Champion of Children Award dinner on Thursday, November 14, at the Omni Dallas Hotel.
While Jessica has been an active supporter of the arts community, Children’s Health and The Family Place, Dirk has earned the title “Uncle Dirk” to the patients at Children’s Health in addition to his involvement with the Heroes Special Olympics softball and Heroes Celebrity baseball games.
Together the twosome’s Dirk Nowitzki Foundation has benefit numerous organizations helping children.
Their work in “lifting up children and families impacted by poverty, abuse, neglect and illness” has helped “Dallas children find pathways to health and well-being, education and success.”
Past recipients of the award have included Lee Jackson, Florence Shapiro, Paul Coggins, Tom Luce, Don Williams, Thomas Phillips, Todd Wagner, Archon Group, The Hoglund Foundation, Harriet O’Neill, Nancy Nasher, Southwest Airlines, ExxonMobil and its employees and retirees, Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones, Pioneer Natural Resources and its employees, AT&T and its employees, NorthPark Center, Junior League of Dallas, The Meadows Foundation and, of course, the late Barefoot Sanders.
Benefiting Dallas CASA, the dinner is being co-chaired by Janice and Richard Davis, Hannah and Greg May and Virginia and Edward Schaefer.
Another highlight of the evening will be guest speaker Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who rose to national prominence overseeing the trial of Larry Nassar.
* Graphic/photo provided by Dallas CASA