With A Change Of Location, Community Partners Of Dallas Proved “Change Is (Indeed) Good”

Instead of holding its annual fundraiser at Brook Hollow as usual due to construction, Community Partners of Dallas opened up its brand new headquarters for its 13th Annual Change Is Good on Sunday, October 27, with a rock wall for climbing, face painters, cheerleaders, balloons galore and loads of yummies. In return the place was filled with young fundraisers turning in their coins. Here’s a report from the field:

Change is Good Chair families Emily and Nicholas Haddock with children Beatrice, Iris Anne and Stinson, and Amy and Patrick McEvoy with children Grace, Ford and Georgia, along with honorary chair family Katy and Kyle Miller with children Emerson, Avery and Harris, were joined by a record-breaking crowd of 700 on Sunday, October 27, at the 13^th annual Change is Good benefiting Community Partners of Dallas (CPD).

Upon arrival, participating children and teens turned in their change that they began collecting over the summer by emptying their own piggy banks, going door to door, setting up lemonade stands and other fundraisers, or starting their own online campaign. Through their efforts $21,715.31 was collected including 72,841 coins.

All collections were exchanged for chances to win exciting prizes. This year’s grand prize, an iPod Touch, was awarded to first place winner Emmy Linebarger with $1,119.87 collected. Ava Schelin earned second place with $1,081.03; sisters Brooke, Cate and Caroline Gray came in third place with $1,000.06. Brooks, Kate and Graham Fuquay collected the most online with $857; and Ford McEvoy collected the most quarters – 880 for a total of $220.

Held at CPD’s new headquarters located in Dallas’ Caring Corridor, the event featured activities for all ages, including multiple bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses, a rock climbing wall, the GameTruck, the Rad Hatter, balloon artists, flip books, face painting, crafts and a DJ dance party.

In keeping with the Change is Good sports and spirit 2019 theme, Mustang Cheer Dallas coaches, along with some junior CPD cheerleaders, helped gather the crowd and lead them in a few special CPD cheers. CLD President and CEO Paige McDaniel followed to thank the many sponsors who had supported the event, including presenting sponsor CrossFirst Bank, as well as all the kids who collected change throughout the summer.  She then announced the many prize-drawing winners, and recognized the change collection winners.

CrossFirst Bank representatives Bill Ragle and Olivia Bock took the stage to share a few words before recognizing the artists who had the winning designs for this year’s commemorative t-shirt: Elliott Rutledge and Gabrielle Hewes.  All child attendees received a t-shirt as their parting gift.

2019 Change is Good sponsors were: Presenting – CrossFirst Bank; Change Advocate – Katy and Kyle Miller Family Foundation; Change Enthusiast – Western Extrusions Corp./The McEvoy Family; Change Champions – Emily and Nicholas Haddock with Beatrice, Iris Anne and Stinson; and Thanksgiving Tower; Valet sponsor – Sewell Automotive Companies; Media Sponsor – MySweetCharity.

For more information about Change is Good, visit communitypartnersdallas.org.

* Photo credit: Tamytha Cameron