SMU campus was in overdrive with U-Hauls bringing in all types of furnishings for the dorms on Saturday, August 24. Why one truck had enough “stuff” to fill a three-bedroom house. And while students in blue T-shirts returned to their rooms along SMU Boulevard, 150+ future Mustangs were partying in the Gerald J. Ford Stadium Club. Dressed in the most adorable blue-and-white-stripe and red-and-white checkered cotton, you would have sworn they were top rushees. Well, maybe in 10 or 14 years.
Nope, they weren’t collegiate types. They didn’t even know what an SAT was. They were the members of Community Partners of Dallas’ 2019 Change Is Good kick-off party.
Co-Chairs Emily Haddock and Amy McEvoy had decided not only to hold the event high top Ford Stadium, but to also incorporate a pigskin theme in this year’s fundraiser. Made perfect sense, since the Change Is Good mascot is a piggy bank thanks to the competition among the kids to raise coins for CPD.
The Fuquay kids (Kate, Brooks and Graham) with mom Andrea Fuquay were among the first on the scene. An insider whispered that this clan was well known for raising the most money. Immediately, the threesome took their places at tables to tackle the day’s competition of creating the T-shirt artwork that would be unveiled at the fundraiser’s event on Sunday, October 27, at the new CPD headquarters.
One of the first to post their artwork were Grace McEvoy and Ford McEvoy, while Stinson Haddock welcomed all the guests and directed them to the table to pick up their name tags.
Pretty soon the place was jammed with moms like Honorary Co-Chair Katy Miller, Jourdy Wallace and Gem-Ann Doerges in sundresses atop wedge slide sandals, and dads like Co-Chair Patrick McEvoy and Brucker Stensrud in khaki slacks and summer sports shirts with adorable munchkins like Emerson Miller and the Hunt girls (KK, Hannah and Charlotte) in equally summer attire.
CPD President/CEO Paige McDaniel took to the microphone just after noon and led the group in shouting “Change Is Good.” Even the coolest dad was heard joining the rally. She pointed out that not only was this the largest turnout ever for the kick-off, but this year’s event had a presenting sponsor — CrossFirst Bank.
Then magically on cue the electric shades rose, revealing the pristine Ford playing field and pizzas and cookies were served at the far end of the club.
Despite the traditional Brook Hollow venue being out of commission this year due to a refreshing and the Dallas Cowboys schedule usually causing all types of challenges, it’s all good this year. Change Is Good Is taking place at the brand-spanking new Community Partners of Dallas building, and the Cowboys have the week off.
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