As the streets leading out of downtown Dallas were clogged with traffic, and the Uptown bars and restaurants filled with maskless patrons celebrating that the worst of the pandemic was done, a lucky few like a slim-trim David Johnson and his bride Debbie Johnson with cane in hand and brace on her left leg arrived at artists Christy Coltrin’s and Brad Oldham’s Brad Oldham Sculpture store front on Tuesday, April 19. The occasion was to celebrate the previous week’s Soup’s On! Luncheon for The Stewpot Alliance on Tuesday, April 12. Setting the mood before guests arrived inside the store/studio on Ross Avenue, Baba Lawrence was playing his conga drum.
While other groups have held their patron parties prior to their fundraisers, 2022 Soup’s On! Co-Chairs/sisters Thella Bowens and Carolyn Jefferson opted to hold it afterward as a thank you to even those who had signed up at the last moment. And Stewpot Executive Director Brenda Snitzer was on board with that idea.
While the sisters were receiving congratulations on their fundraising event, Christy and Brad, who have volunteered for the fundraiser in a big way by creating sculptured spoons for the chefs, have already signed up to chair the 2023 event.
Funds raised from the 2022 and 2023 events will support The Stewpot’s mission to “offers a safe haven for homeless and at-risk individuals of Dallas, providing resources for basic survival needs, as well as opportunities to start a new life.”