To officially kick off Community Partners of Dallas‘ 2024 Change Is Good fundraiser in October, an invite-only party was held at CPD’s headquarters on Saturday, September 7. In addition to enjoying G-rated refreshments and pizza, the younger guests applied their artistic talents to creating artwork for the t-shirt competition using superheroes as the inspirations. Creativity abounded. Here’s a report from the field:
Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) welcomed superheroes of all ages at the kick-off for the 18th annual Change is Good on Saturday, September 7, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at its headquarters, located at 7950 Elmbrook Drive in the Caring Corridor of Dallas.
Chair families Tina Lalangas and Gavin Minnis, with children Phoebe and Tessa, and Maria Sideris (husband Dino Sideris was unable to attend) with children Yioula and Georgia, along with Honorary Chair Madison Strode and son Trip were joined by more than 50 attendees at the fun-filled launch party for the upcoming fall fundraiser.
As attendees arrived, all kids including Adley Penchan and Lola Bonfield were encouraged to create their own design for the Change is Good annual t-shirt contest, where the winning t-shirt design will be unveiled at the much-anticipated event on Sunday, October 13. With this year’s superhero theme, attendees created inspired designs featuring the Change is Good mascot “piggy.”
Midway through the event CPD president and CEO Joanna Clarke took a few moments to thank everyone for attending the kick-off celebration and for participating in Change is Good, which celebrates kids helping kids and benefits the abused and neglected children served by Community Partners of Dallas. Before introducing this year’s chair families, she thanked all the kids for collecting their change and bills over the coming months not only in their change jars, but online as well.
Co-chairs Lalangas and Sideris then added their gratitude to all for supporting Change is Good, which will be held on Sunday, October 13, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the CenterPark Garden at NorthPark Center. They shared details about what is sure to be an amazing day, which will begin with kids exchanging collected coins and bills for chance tickets. Every child will receive their very own superhero cape, setting the stage for a day full of excitement. Then attendees will enjoy family-friendly day of activities, including face painting, fairy hair, arts and crafts, carnival games, putt-putt and even a petting zoo. NorthPark Center eateries will provide delicious bites and drinks for all ages. An event highlight will include the announcement of top fundraisers and unveiling the winners of our 2024 t-shirt artwork contest.
As well, they shared that new this year – Change is Good will kick off the inaugural NorthPark Pumpkin Patch, a fall wonderland for families to enjoy from Monday, October 14 – Thursday, October 31. CenterPark Garden will be transformed into a magical autumnal destination with thousands of pumpkins, a wishing well, a gnome village, and so much more. Throughout October, all change collected at the Pumpkin Patch, Dillard’s Fountain, and Neiman Marcus Fountain will benefit Community Partners of Dallas. The Pumpkin Patch is free and open to the public.
In closing they reminded all that sponsorships are on sale now and available on the CPD website with a limited number of individual tickets available later in September.
After enjoying pizza and other refreshments, young partygoers were then separated by age for a volunteer activity sorting school supplies, furthering the introduction to philanthropy and service for these change-raisers.
For more information, visit https://www.cpdtx.org/events/change-is-good/.
* Photo credit: Community Partners of Dallas
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