Community Partners of Dallas’ (CPD) 2024 Change Is Good has a trick and a treat in store this year. While the annual fundraiser will once again have munchkins collecting all types of coins and bucks in the months ahead, it also will be helping kick off NorthPark’s inaugural Pumpkin Patch in the CenterPark Garden on Sunday, October 13.
Thanks to NorthPark’s renowned landscaping team and Harold Leidner Landscape Architects, the CenterPark will be transformed into “a fall fairy tale destination filled with thousands of pumpkins, autumn plantings, a wishing well, a gnome village and more” from Monday, October 14, to Halloween (Thursday, October 31).
Presiding over the Pumpkin Patch fortnight will be former NorthPark Ambassador Andrea Nayfa, who has arranged for such activities as “photo opportunities, hot apple ciders, story times with Bookmarks, a Dallas Public Library and whimsical scavenger hunts that will spark imagination and creativity in little minds.”
According to NorthPark Owner Nancy Nasher, “Providing seasonal, interactive experiences for families has always been important to us at NorthPark, and the Pumpkin Patch is a new way to give back to our community. We are honored to support Community Partners of Dallas through this festive celebration and help raise important funds for abused and neglected children.”
Co-chairing the Change is Good sneak preview from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 will be Tina Lalangas and Gavin Minnis with their children Phoebe Minnis and Tessa Minnis, and Maria and Dino Sideris with their children Yioula Sideris and Georgia Sideris. Madison and James Strode and their youngsters Stella Strode, Silvie Strode and Trip Strode will serve as honorary chair family.
In addition to the money collected by the Change Is Good youngsters, “all change collected by the Pumpkin Patch wishing well, the Dillard’s Fountain and the Neiman Marcus Fountain throughout the month will be donated to Community Partners of Dallas.”
As CPD President/CEO Joanna Clarke said, “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with NorthPark Center as the beneficiary of the magical, extraordinary Pumpkin Patch. This is such a beautiful gift to our community! Not only will CenterPark be an amazing venue for our annual fundraiser, Change Is Good, but the Pumpkin Patch will also serve as the ultimate spot for families to gather this fall.”
The Change Is Good program provides an opportunity for youngsters to take early steps in becoming philanthropists and learning how their efforts pay off to “change the lives of abused and neglected children through the important work of CPD.”
To gather monies, youngsters will have adorable jars and even “virtual change” online that will be tallied for a chance to win prizes and the title of top fundraiser at the October 13 celebration. Here’s a link to the fundraising page instructions.
While the Pumpkin Patch fortnight is free and open to the public, with a list of events and activities listed on NorthPark’s website in September, Change Is Good underwriting sponsorships now are available here. If you’re brand new to this very G-rated activity and want more information on how to join the fun, just reach out to Samantha.
* Photo provided by Community Partners Of Dallas