After weeks of planning, Community Partners of Dallas’ 2020 Change Is Good virtual event was in the final hours of taking place on Sunday, August 2. Instead of last year’s fundraiser at CPD headquarters and the usual grounds of Brook Hollow, the event itself would be in homes via the internet and once again be presented by CrossFirst Bank.
But before the hour-and-a-half interactive festivities got underway starting at 3 p.m., Highland Park United Methodist Church was the pickup site for the goodies to be used from 1 to 2 p.m. sponsored by Sewell. Since COVID-19 restrictions prevented church services, the parking lot was wide open. However, only a small portion of the area was needed for the SUVs and pickups loaded with parents, kids and pooches to get their big boxes of materials and VIP sacks for parents.
Some vehicles had balloons floating above; some had messages written on windows; some had the Change Is Good piggy drawn. The day’s colors were definitely Change Is Good’s signature green and pink. Why, Mary Doran and Virginia even wore matching green, pink and white outfits!
Right on cue the parade started with sunroofs open for Winnie and Max to take in the sights, little ones like brunette Kate, Oscar and Noah secured in car seats and big smiles including Leon, Evie and Alli, who proudly showed MIA baby teeth.
Rathna Gray arrived with two of her girls (Cate and Caroline) and explained that daughter Brooke had a prior commitment. The trio had placed second place in raising the most funds. Third placer Faye was in the back seat of the family SUV with signs reading “Faye Loves Change Is Good.”
Brooke had been a double winner. Her artwork earned a place on the back of the Change Is Good T-shirts that each guest received. On the front of the shirt was Noelle’s handiwork.
Also on the family outing were pooches of all shapes, sizes, ages and colors. Stanley was so eager to help CPD volunteers that he nearly nudged his way out of the window.
First they were greeted by CPD Communications and Development VP Joanna Clarke, who stood by a huge green balloon and waved them around the corner to the tent with tables filled with the boxes and sacks. The only slowdown in the drive-thru was parents and volunteers catching up about the past months and the relief to have something to do for the kids.
By 2 p.m. all had scrambled home to open their boxes filled with wrinkled confetti, multi-colored glitter and all types of materials for the Zoom-fest starting at 3 p.m. The parents weren’t disappointed with their sacks of Skinny Pops and Ranch Water ingredients (Topo Chico, tequila, limes and cups).
The official event began with CPD President/CEO Paige McDaniel and Joanna greeting the guests and kicking off the day’s activities including for Rad Hatters teach the fine art of making personalized toppers; Dallas Mavericks cheering the guests; Princesses and Superheroes showing the ins-and-outs of wand waving, wearing crowns and making superhero masks, paper and sand planes; NBC 5’s Laura Harris reading Jessica Hische’s “Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind”; and Balloon Twist’s Cinde teaching kids and adults how to make balloon creatures.
By the time the whole virtual experience was over, CPD proved that even in this pandemic, “change is still good.”
But as anyone knows, a picture is worth a thousand words. So, check out the MySweetCharity Photo Gallery to see the kids, pooches and parents that celebrated fundraising for children.