Back in 1977, there was no internet nor no seat belt requirements. CB radios were the rage and everyone seemed to have a “handle.” North Texans were getting stoked up about the Dallas Cowboys’ season that was leading up to winning the Super Bowl. Ironically, it was during that time that the area recorded the most freezes in 30 years, scoring 62 days of below-freezing temperatures.
It was also during that year that a group of Dallas women came together to “create greater interest in civic, education and philanthropic endeavors in the greater Dallas community through volunteer work focused on children, families and the elderly.” Originally called Dallas Junior Forum, it was one of nine chapters of Junior Forums Inc. (JFI) in Texas. But in 2021 the Dallas chapter “withdrew” JFI “to keep all of our resource in our local community for the benefit of our partners agencies.” While the group was renamed Dallas Service Forum (DFS), the “focus, mission organization and volunteer activities remained the same.”
To commemorate its decades of donating hundreds of thousands of volunteer service hours and financial support of more than $1M to area non-profits, they’ve decided to “royally” celebrate the DSF’s 45th anniversary with “A Royal Affair Luncheon.” And who would be better for such an occasion than to have Royal Chef Darren McGrady, the former chef for Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana and her sons as the guest speaker?
According to Luncheon Chair Kristin Parrino, “With his culinary experience and success, Royal Chef McGrady is a natural choice as guest speaker for our fundraiser. In addition to the financial support, grants, and service hours provided to our agency partners, DSF cooking teams plan, shop and lovingly prepare and serve hundreds of weekly meals for our agencies. Over our 45 years of service, members have provided hundreds of thousands of meals to those in need. In addition, Chef McGrady, with his heart for service, has devoted himself to working for charities that support shelters for battered women, children with chronic illnesses and breast cancer, donating his advance and royalties from his first cookbook to Princess Diana’s charity.”
Plans call for the event to take place starting at 10:30 a.m. at Northwood Club on Tuesday, March 28, complete with a reception, raffle, silent auction and a seated luncheon with WFAA anchor Kara Sewell serving as emcee.
As DSF President Marla Nunally said, “We invite the community to join us on March 28 as Royal Chef Darren McGrady brings his fun personality and generous spirit to our event and shares anecdotes about service to the British royal family. Most important, this event allows us to raise funds to support the DFS mission of providing service and financial support to children, families and the elderly throughout the Dallas area.”
Sponsorships and tickets are available here.
Organizations benefiting from DSF included Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Juliette Fowler Communities, The Ebby House, Network of Community Ministries, The Family Place and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Margot Lujan says
This a wonderful organization. Lots of friendly women jumping in to help families in need