The Trains of NorthPark Rolls in for the 26th Year

The Trains at NorthPark, presented by Bank of Texas, celebrates its 26

th year of a favorite holiday tradition. The most elaborate toy trains exhibit in Texas, The Trains at NorthPark includes trains rolling across 1,600 feet of track on a journey across America. The exhibit can be found on Level Two of NorthPark Center in the Nordstrom Wing. 

Cityscapes include downtown Dallas, with the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, the State Fair of Texas and the Cotton Bowl; New York City’s Times Square and Grand Central Terminal; Washington, D.C. with The White House; New England’s fall foliage; the Grand Canyon, Route 66, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and the Albuquerque hot air balloons.

Event Co-Chairs are Claire Raggio and Courtney Westerburg. Both have been on the trains committee and have been involved in the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas Young Friends. Honorary Co-Chairs are community leaders Lauren and Pat Arthur. Through his company MHBT, Pat has supported The Trains at NorthPark and has also served on its board of directors. Lauren has been on the trains committee and served in various volunteer roles.

 

The exhibit encompasses more than 3,800 square feet of train themed environments, with all the trimmings of the holiday train travel experience—steam engine and coach cars, a ticket booth and a train station. More than 75,000 people visit The Trains at NorthPark each season as part of their holiday tradition. 

Saturday, November 23, 2013 through Sunday, January 5, 2014

Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, Noon to 6 p.m.

Early Closings:

November 27, Thanksgiving Eve, at 6 p.m.

December 24, Christmas Eve, at 4 p.m.

December 31, New Year’s Eve, at 6 p.m.

January 1, New Year’s Day, at 6 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; Open New Year’s Day

For more information www.rmhdallas.org/trains

Ornament Ball & Auction: Style and Substance

RSVP here

10th Annual Share the Warmth Blanket Drive

This year marks the 10th year for Sleep Experts' Share the Warmth Blanket Drive.

From October 28th through Thanksgiving Day, the locally-based corporation will be accepting donations of new and gently used blankets, as well as sheets, comforters, towels and pillows, at any of 55 Sleep Experts locations in North and Central Texas.

The beneficiaries of this year's Share the Warmth Blanket Drive are The Family Place in Dallas-Fort Worth, and SafePlace in Austin, as well as other domestic violence shelters in D-FW and Austin. In December, Sleep Experts will deliver all the items collected during the drive to these shelters, in order to keep their families warm this winter season.

And for the third year, thousands of Girl Scouts from three Texas Girl Scout councils - Northeast Texas (Dallas), Texas Oklahoma Plains (Fort Worth) and Central Texas (Austin) will lend a helping hand. Girl Scout troops participate by collecting blankets in their own communities and will earn special Share the Warmth community service badges.

So how can you help?  Clean out your closet and donate a blanket today.  It's a simple way to help a family in need.

Girl Scouts delivering blankets to Sleep Experts in Keller during last year's drive.

Flora Award 2013- Jan Pickens Honored {Society Pics}



Courtney Love, Jan Pickens, Jennifer Huff

Texas Discovery Gardens honored Jan Pickens with the prestigious 2013 Flora Award on November 7. More than 150 prominent guests graced the elegantly decorated Grand Hall on this crisp evening including Ebby Halliday Acers, Caroline Rose Hunt, Dee Wyly, Peggy Sewell, Nancy Dedman and Billie Leigh Rippey. The four course meal by Cassandra Fine Catering was a decadent introduction to the evening’s events, including remarks by Dick Davis, Executive Director of Texas Discovery Gardens, an invocation, an introduction of Jan by Barbara Hunt Crow and the presentation of the award, which was designed by deBoulle. 

Caroline Rose Hunt, Robert Backbill

The Award serves to recognize outstanding citizens who have demonstrated a commitment to beautification, education and the advancement of the environment and quality of life. “In the Flora Award’s 31 years, we have enjoyed an exceptional list of honorees, and this year continues that incredible tradition,” said 2013 Flora Award co chair, Jennifer Huff.  Co chair Courtney Love added: “Jan Pickens is tireless in her quest to raise money and awareness for the causes she holds dear.  Her work with the Salvation Army is revered, and for Texas Discovery Gardens, it was Jan who took the Flora Award from a simple tea and turned it into the elegant event it is today.  She has grace, elegance and a deep faith -- there is no one more deserving of this award than she.” 

Allison and Bob Farrow

Pickens has been instrumental in Texas Discovery Gardens’ mission by serving as a volunteer, Board member and chair of the Flora Award.  Her extensive work in the community includes support for countless organizations, including the Salvation Army, for which she was recognized by their National Board with the “Others” Award, the Junior League of Dallas, the Crystal Charity Ball Committee, Women’s Guild of the Dallas Society for Crippled Children, United Way, the Dallas Woman’s Club, Dallas Historical Society, M.D. Anderson, United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas for which she received the 2003 “Distinguished Service Award”, Meals on Wheels and many more.  Most recently, the Dallas Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi honored her with the 2012 Founder’s Day Award for Community Service.

Flora Award 2013 designed by deBoulle

Funds raised through the Flora Award help Texas Discovery Gardens’ staff achieve their mission to teach effective ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature in an urban setting, with a focus on gardening organically and sustainably.  This year the Flora Award efforts brought an immense amount of support including a Diamond Sponsor donation of $25,000 from Barbara Hunt Crow, a Platinum Sponsor donation of $15,000 from Jan and Bob Pickens, Peggy and Carl Sewell and Al Hill, Jr., a Gold Sponsor donation of $10,000 from Nancy M. Dedman and Ellen and Paul Flowers and a Silver Sponsor donation of $7500 from Ellen and John McStay. Past winners have included Ellen and John McStay, Ebby Halliday Acers, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Dee and Charles Wyly, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and last year’s recipient, Barbara Hunt Crow.

Janet Smith, Waverly Smith

For more information or to contribute a donation to Texas Discovery Gardens please contact Sarah Gardner, Marketing Manager, at 214-428-7476, ext. 230, or e-mail SGardner@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org. Media Contact is Sabra Girard, sabra@sg-pr.com, 469.688.4674.  

Peggy Sewell, Nancy Dedman, Billie Leigh Rippey, Linda Gibbons

Photos by Daniel Driensky

Dallas Cowboys Connect Big Partners To Make Even Bigger Impact This Holiday Season



Credit: DallasCowboys.com



Nearly 4,000 families served by The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program will enjoy a full Christmas dinner this holiday season thanks to the teamwork of the Dallas Cowboys, Bank of America, the North Texas Food Bank and The Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command.

Tuesday, November 19th marked the launch of the collaboration, with more than 100 volunteers from Bank of America and the Cowboys – including former Cowboys great Daryl Johnston, members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and mascot Rowdy – gathering at the North Texas Food Bank to begin packaging the thousands of pounds of pantry items. The group surpassed their packaging quota by nearly 2,000.

“Our purpose is to help those who really need it, and combining Bank of America’s passion to end hunger and ours for the work of The Salvation Army, what a great opportunity to do just that,” said Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer Charlotte Jones Anderson.

With the Cowboys having partnered with The Salvation Army and supporting its Angel Tree program for more than 17 years, Anderson said it was exciting to see the program enhanced with an added effort to tackle hunger this Christmas.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program provides Christmas gifts and other essentials for nearly 60,000 children and special need senior citizens in the DFW Metroplex alone. On a select date in December when families pick up their items at the Dallas Angel Tree Distribution Center, Cowboys and Bank of America volunteers will roll out once again to hand out both the Angel Tree items, as well as a full spread of chicken, rice, beans, corn, peas and dessert, bringing the holiday experience full circle for many of these families.

An estimated 800,000 people are hungry in North Texas today; one in four children are food-insecure. To learn more about the North Texas Food Bank and its efforts to combat this problem, click here. For information on how to “adopt” a Salvation Army Angel this holiday season, click here.

A St. Andrew Christmas

Put the true spirit in your holiday season with “A St. Andrew Christmas,” Sunday December 15, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093 (corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista).

This annual musical extravaganza will include traditional and contemporary holiday favorites from “Winter Wonderland” and “The Nutcracker” to majestic settings of “Angels from the Realms of Glory” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” featuring 200 singers, soloist Jodi Wright, bells, a 45-member professional orchestra, a magnificent pipe organ, and the ever-popular carol sing.  

 “We are thrilled to offer two performances and invite the community to share in this wonderful celebration of the season with us,” said Chris Crook, Minister of Music and Worship, St. Andrew UMC.  “If you are looking for one musical Christmas event for all ages that contains the classic favorites delivered at the highest quality by fine singers and professional orchestra, look no further. This is your family’s affordable, one-stop Christmas musical treat. Join 2,000 others for what has become one of the area’s most popular December events. You will not be disappointed!”

Tickets range from $8 to $18, depending on seating sections and are available beginning November 1 by calling 469-385-1810, or online at www.astandrewchristmas.org. 

Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village

Begin the holiday season with Texas’ earliest residents and see how holiday traditions were celebrated in the late 1800s on December 14 and 15, 3 - 9 p.m., at the 42nd Annual Candlelight Celebration at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 South Harwood, sponsored by Baylor Health Care System.   

“Get Wrapped Up in Candlelight” will be this year’s theme, celebrating the beauty of holidays past with seasonal décor and traditional celebrations featured throughout the Village.   Take a stroll and experience gleeful carolers, holiday storytelling, hand-weaving, blacksmithing, interpreters in traditional costume, and many other festive activities such as the American Flyer model train exhibit in the Depot, operated by the Lone Star Flyer Model Train Club.

“There are few places that get people in the holiday spirit like Candlelight, which sets a beautiful landscape for the season, honoring and creating memories,” said Melissa Prycer, Interim Executive Director, Dallas Heritage Village.  “Candlelight is a magical event that has been a holiday tradition in Dallas for 42 years, and we welcome visitors from across the globe.”

During Candlelight, pioneer and Victorian Texas is brought to life by characters dressed in period costumes.  Guests may explore 38 historic buildings, circa 1840 to 1910, traditionally decorated by area garden clubs.  Don’t forget to visit a special 19^th century guest, St. Nicholas, in the Depot and snap a photo with him. 

Kids may participate in hands-on holiday crafts.  Attendees may also ride around the Village in a surrey pulled by the Village’s loveable Mammoth Jack donkeys  Nip and Tuck ($5 per rider) or a hay wagon pulled by a vintage tractor ($3 per rider).  Local food trucks, such as Ruthie’s Grilled Cheese Truck, Tutta’s Pizza, Easy Slider, Good Karma Kitchen, and more will have delicious food available to purchase.  Wine will be available for purchase from Times Ten Cellars.

For a complete list of performers and performance times, please visit www.DallasHeritageVillage.org.

All proceeds from Candlelight, the museum’s biggest annual public fundraiser, benefit museum programs at Dallas Heritage Village. 

Candlelight corporate and family sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Lisa Simpson at 214-413-3662, lsimpson@dallasheritagevillage.org.   Various sponsorship levels are available with benefits as well as area and activity sponsorships.

Big D Reads Announces Former First Lady Laura Bush as Honorary Chair

Big D Reads is proud to announce Former First Lady Laura Bush will, once again, serve as Honorary Chair of Big D Reads.

In April 2014, Big D Reads will distribute 20,000 copies and encourage the entire city to read S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. Hinton first published the classic novel in 1967 when she was 18. The central themes of the book include friendship, loyalty, and the message that no matter how much money we have, we all have problems.

“Everyone in Dallas, adults and teens, should pick up a copy of The Outsiders, and enjoy this coming-of-age adventure together as a community,” Bush says.

During the entire month of April 2014, Big D Reads will conduct dozens of special events centered on The Outsiders, including an opening event, a closing event, writers' workshops, educational events/speakers, DISD enrichment programs, and movie screenings. 

Would you like to join in the fun next April? Big D Reads is encouraging members of the community to create their own special events. The story of The Outsiders lends itself to plenty of ideas. You can host a Greasers versus the Socs party or provide a venue for a large book club discussion.

If you can't host an event, but want to be involved with Big D Reads, please consider becoming a volunteer. This year’s program is ambitious, and the organization will need help sorting books, setting up for events, and distributing posters and books.

Visit www.bigdreads.org today for more information.

Tomorrow: Holiday Trunk Show benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 30th Anniversary St. Valentine's Day Luncheon & Fashion Show

Hope for the Philippines

Help raise money for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. All proceeds will benefit the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of the Philippine Red Cross. Help bring HOPE to the Philippines and show your support.

Designer husband and wife team, Richard and Carla Palmer, wanted a way to help and show their support for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan which caused catastrophic destruction in the Philippines. For those that have nothing left, the Palmers wanted to give them a sense of HOPE. After donating to the Red Cross, they felt they could do more. Richard and Carla went on to design this logo using the sun and country's abbreviation (PI). It symbolizes the optimism of the Philippines. The Filipino Spirit & "Bayanihan" (Filipino sense of community) will help get the resilient country through this tragedy.

Please help by supporting their campaign. 100% of the proceeds will go to the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of the Philippine Red Cross. Shirts will be delivered approximately two weeks after the campaign closes. Please visit https://www.booster.com/hopeforthephilippines to purchase a Hope for the Philippines shirt and to show your support!

Paws Cause 2014 Kickoff at Bistro 31

On Tuesday, November 12, Paws Cause Dallas and the SPCA of Texas kicked off their 2014 event, “Tails of the West” at Bistro 31 in Highland Park Village.  The occasion was held to announce the 2014 Paws Cause Honorary Chair, Holly Forsythe and the 2014 Paws Cause Event Chairs, Whitney Keltch, Wynne Cunningham, Erin Seeds Ray and Gemma Galeoto.

The "Tails of the West" fundraiser will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Sambuca Restaurant in Uptown.  All proceeds from the event benefit the SPCA of Texas’ Village Fair Clinic and fund spay and neuter efforts in the Dallas community. Photos courtesy of Jerry McClure.

     

                                  Holly Forsythe, Denis & Karen Boulle       Helena Banks and Denise Wallace

Volunteer Opportunity: Dallas CASA Information Sessions

When kids can't speak for themselves, CASA can. 

Dallas CASA is a nonprofit organization of community volunteers who serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers are trained and supervised to advocate for the best interests of abused children in protective care and to make recommendations that help judges decide what is best for each child. A CASA volunteer is often the one constant during a frightening, uncertain time in a child's life.

Sadly, Dallas CASA serves less than half of the children who need a voice in court and in the community. You can help. A child is waiting for your voice.

Dallas CASA information sessions describe the volunteer program and the process to become a volunteer advocate. You will learn more about the agency, the volunteer role and the training program. Volunteer information sessions take place at the Dallas CASA office, 2815 Gaston Ave., 75226.

Upcoming information sessions:

Thursday, November 14, 6-7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 21, 6-7:00 p.m.

Friday, November 22, 12-1:00 p.m.

To register for an information session, please contact Dallas CASA at 214-827-9603, ext. 280, or register online: http://www.dallascasa.org/how-to-volunteer/info_session_reg.php

November Events benefitting Dwell with Dignity

Thrift Studio   is now at 50% off! open through Friday, 10am - 5:30 pm through Saturday, November 9th 1250 Slocum, suite 280 *ALL PURCHASES MUST BE PICKED UP BY THIS SATURDAY!* __________________________________________________________________ O'verlays DIY Workshop Tuesday, November 19th   6-8pm, 915 Slocum Click here to reserve your spot! Bloggers, interior designers and corporate sponsors -  Email rachelb@dwellwithdignity.org for a special offer!   ________________________________________________________________   Nasher Sculpture Center  Rob Wilson Signing & Shopping Event  Tuesday, November 19th A portion of proceeds benefit Dwell with Dignity!

28th Annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon

The Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, with presenting sponsor KERA, will honor recipients in seven categories at the 28th Annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 15, 2013, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Dallas, Landmark Ballroom.  The awards luncheon will be emceed by long-time supporter Scott Murray.

Luncheon chair Kimberly Humphries and co-chair Julia Nicol announce the 2013 award recipients in seven categories:

Lyda Hill

Outstanding Philanthropist - nominated by Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and sponsored by Clarkson-Davis

The Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation

Outstanding Foundation - sponsored and nominated by Children’s Medical Center

Alon USA Energy, Inc.

Outstanding Corporation - nominated by Communities in Schools of the Dallas Region, Inc. [CISDR] and sponsored by the Trinity Trust Foundation

Forrest Hoglund

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser – nominated by Perot Museum of Nature and Science and sponsored by Dini Partners

April Box Chamberlain, CFRE

Outstanding Fundraising Executive - nominated by Stephen Folsom, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Methodist Health System Foundation and sponsored by Nancy Ann Hunt

Ariana Luterman, age 13

Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy - nominated by Brian Donovan and sponsored by the Todd and Abby Williams Family Foundation

Kent Skipper

Special Recognition Award, nominated by the Greater Dallas Chapter Association of Fundraising Professionals and sponsored by Salesmanship Club of Dallas

"We are proud to present and pay tribute to these outstanding individuals who exhibit incredible civic leadership and philanthropy. They are stewarding our communities, from charity to impact," emphasized this year's Dallas National Philanthropy Day Chair, Kimberly Humphries.

The Greater Dallas Chapter of AFP was among the first to begin celebrating National Philanthropy Day in 1981.  Today, over 700 attend the luncheon which includes AFP members and community leaders.   National Philanthropy Day celebrates the great contributions philanthropy, and those who work in the philanthropic process, make to our community.  AFP Chapters involve more than 28,000 individuals in celebrating philanthropy each year.

Additional sponsors include Diane and Hal Brierley, sponsors of the VIP Reception held prior to the luncheon.  Luncheon tickets are $95 each, $950 for a table of ten or $1,350 for a premium table of ten.  For further information on tickets and sponsorships, visit afpdallas.org or contact Madeleine Crouch at 972-233-9107, ext. 204, afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org

Wine Tasting benefitting Pancreatic Cancer Research

Tis the season for Holiday festivity! As the gift-giving season ramps up what better way to stock up on wine for friends and family than a tasting to raise money and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer Research! 

Night at the Museum: First Journey Around the Sun

Barely a year since its December 1 debut and almost 1.4 million visitors later, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science will celebrate its inaugural year with its “First Journey around the Sun”-themed gala this Friday, November 15, from 7 p.m. to midnight. An after party will run from 10 p.m. to midnight. Dress is cocktail attire, and complimentary valet parking will be offered. The gala will be held on all five levels of the Perot Museum. Contact NightAtTheMuseum@perotmuseum.org for details.

2013 Chi Omega Christmas Market

The 2013 Chi Omega Christmas Market marks 36 years of giving by bringing a unique holiday shopping experience to Dallas’ Fair Park!  Continuing the spirited tradition, the Chi Omega Christmas Market has selected the following 2013 beneficiaries: Chi Omega Education Corporation, Community Partners of Dallas, Foundation for the Education of Young Women, Healing Hands Ministries, Just Say YES, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, North Texas Food Bank, Sky Ranch, Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas, and Chi Omega Collegiate Scholarships.  Kick off your holiday shopping and get into the holiday spirit at this festive event!

The Chi Omega Christmas Market offers a unique shopping experience with over 175 merchants showcasing gifts for every age including holiday décor, women’s clothing and accessories, home accents, children’s clothing and toys, food gifts, and much more.

MARKET HOURS AND EVENTS

Wednesday, November 20th
Preview Party7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Complimentary Valet Parking 

Preview Party tickets also offer readmission during all General Admission hours.

 

Thursday, November 21st
First Call Shopping - 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Be one of the first to shop the Market! 
First Call tickets also offer readmission during all General Admission hours.

General Admission Shopping Hours:Thursday, November 21st     1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Friday, November 22nd     10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday, November 23rd     10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Click here for more information: http://www.chiomegaxmas.org

Young Variety Rings in the Holidays with Toy Drive

St. Rita School 50th Anniversary with Jack Ingram

Click here to purchase your tickets!

2013 Doing the Most Good Luncheon

The Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command welcomes Wynonna, award-winning country music icon, as the featured guest speaker at its 2013 Doing The Most Good Luncheon on Friday, November 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, Chantilly Ballroom. Jan Pickens, Salvation Army Advisory Board Member, is this year’s luncheon chair.

The 2013 luncheon also serves as the kickoff of The Salvation Army’s 125th Anniversary Celebration, which commemorates the 125 years the organization has served in Texas.  The Anniversary Celebration will feature special events designed to expand the organization’s support base locally to include a new, younger demographic. Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president and chief brand officer for the Dallas Cowboys, is chairing the 125th Anniversary Celebration in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Pickens said, “Of all The Salvation Army fundraisers, this local luncheon is the #1 Salvation Army fund-raising event in the world. With the kickoff of The Salvation Army’s 125th Anniversary Celebration and Wynonna as our guest speaker, we look forward to a compelling and memorable event that will raise much needed funds for our mission to serve unmet needs in our community.”

The Doing the Most Good luncheon is a fundraiser to support The Salvation Army's 70 programs and services in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton and Ellis Counties. The programs address human needs in seven key areas: (1) homeless men, women and children; (2) families in crisis; (3) addiction recovery; (4) senior citizens; (5) children and youth; (6) veterans programs; and (7) disaster response.

In 2012, The Salvation Army provided the following to those in need:

* 999,802 meals for the hungry

* 155,826 nights of care at its homeless shelters

* $422,267 of emergency financial assistance

* 190,080 days of care for adults struggling with substance abuse

* 282,250 Christmas gifts through the Angel Tree Program

* 59,199 individuals assisted during Christmas alone

* $4.8 million of donated Christmas gifts

* 31,451 individual room visits at nursing homes

Tickets to the luncheon are $300, and sponsor levels range from $5,000 to $250,000. For more information on purchasing tickets, visit salvationarmydfw.org, call 214-637-8254, or email dfwmc_events@uss.salvationarmy.org

Nexus Annual Fund Appeal Kick Off

Debbie and Michael Thompson welcomed their family's closest friends, confidants and associates to their lovely Preston Hollow estate on November 5th all in support of Nexus Recovery Center. Despite the Fall rain more than 90 guests attended the 2013/2014 Nexus Annual Fund Appeal Kick Off including prestigious business leaders, political candidates and other recognized faces. 

Debbie Thompson and Candice Romo

Jere Thompson Sr., an original founder of Southland Corporation (7-Eleven), and his late wife Peggy had seven children of which Michael and his brother Jere Thompson Jr., are the 2013/2014 Nexus Annual Fund Appeal Co-Chairs. They with their families hope to pay tribute to their mother, an original member of the Nexus Auxiliary, by raising $200,000 in two weeks. And to launch this grand effort Jere Jr. and Michael handed a check to the Executive Director of Nexus Recovery Center during the evening's announcements for $30,000. 

Leigh Bailey and Vincent Carrizales



Linda and Steve Ivey

Jere Thompson, Jr., Jere Thompson, Sr., Michael Thompson, Becca Crowell

 The day following the kick off occasion 10,000 letters were mailed to the Thompson's inner network to help get closer to the $200,000 goal. Donations are also being accepted on line at www.nexusrecovery.org/donate or by calling 214.321.0156.