With the 2023-2024 school year underway, the United To Learn’s Learning Launch Co-Chairs Lindsay Billingsley and Karen Pollock hosted the third annual Learning Launch Fiesta at the Maplewood Private Social Club on Tuesday, September 19. It was held to mark the incredible success of this year’s campaign, which raised $350,000 for supplies and resources for Dallas ISD students and teachers.
Starting off on the patio with cocktails, the group moved inside for a taco feast just as the skies opened up with rain. Here’s a report from the field:
Civic-minded women gathered at Maplewood Private Social Club for United to Learn’s fourth annual Learning Launch Fiesta on Tuesday, September 19. This delightful evening celebrated not just generous donors but also a group of compassionate women dedicated to understanding the issues that face Dallas public schools and championing Dallas ISD students and teachers.
Hosted by Lindsay Billingsley and Karen Pollock, the evening started with cocktails on the patio. A deluge of rain politely waited to start until brief remarks from Ms. Billingsley and United To Learn CEO Abigail Williams concluded. Guests took the change in weather as a cue to move inside and enjoy a taco bar complete with jalapeno poppers and elotes.
District representatives in the crowd included Cigarroa Elementary School principal Douglas Burak; District Trustees Joe Carreon, Dan Micciche, and Sarah Weinberg; and Executive Director Juan Cordoba.
This year Learning Launch presented by Atmos Energy raised more than $350,000 and helped more than 35,000 students and 2,100 educators at 75 Dallas ISD elementary schools, providing education supplies and resources based on teachers’ requests. Learning centers, books, inspiring hallway decor, comfy chairs for calming corners, and STEM supplies as well as fun first-day-of-school activities like a DJ and photo booth were among this fall’s deliveries.
Serving on the host committee were Lilly Albritton, Gillea Allison, Cristina Barbosa, Flauren Bender, Meredith Bentley, Lindsay Beran, Kelly Biegler, Margaret and Charles Black, Jordan Brainerd, Lisa Brown, Rebecca Bruder, Kathy Crow, Renza DePirro Diaz, Richard and Betsy Eiseman, JoJo Fleiss, Shannon Gilliland, Susan Godvin, Margaret Hirsch, Jennifer Karol, Ashlee Kleinert, Laura Koonsman, Leslie and Bob Krakow, Lisa Kraus, Melissa Lamb, Libby McCabe, Emily McGaughy, Carolyn Miller, Kelley Parel, Elizabeth Pollock, Paige Richey, Jane Rimer, Nancy H. Rogers, Catherine Rose, Deedie Rose, Lisa K. Simmons, Ellis Thomas, Megha Tolia, Dawn Tribolet, Merry Vose, Debbie Wilson, Sharon Young and Dawn Zierk.
To learn more about how United to Learn is changing lives by transforming the relationship between schools and community, visit unitedtolearn.org.
* Photo credit: Simon Luna Studio