RSVP Calendar: Friends of Wednesday's Child

On April 9 our friend Pat Holder of Pat Holder and Associates attended the Friends of Wednesday's Child Luncheon and shares her experience here with us! Enjoy:

The Grand Ballroom at Union Station was the setting for the Friends of Wednesday’s Child 30^th Anniversary Luncheon on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. Libby and David Hunt/The Nancy and Herbert Hunt Family Foundation were the Presenting Sponsors.

A Champagne Reception was held in the Frisco Room before the Luncheon in honor of the Friends of Wednesday’s Child Luncheon Underwriting Sponsors.

Libby Hunt, honorary chair and her husband, David Hunt

Cachet Weinberg, Luncheon Chair, welcomed the guests and enthusiastically told of her success after being helped by Wednesday’s Child in her youth. Libby Hunt, Honorary Chair, commented on her and her family’s desire to promote the work of the organization and to help close the educational gap for children in foster care.

Darlene Ellison, featured speaker

The Keynote Speaker was Darlene Ellison, M.S., author of The Predator Next Door. She has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, a special segment on Dateline NBC, an interview with D Magazine and more. Darlene told the Wednesday’s Child audience of her tragic life experience and her fight for survival, for herself and her children. Her story was a reminder about how overcoming hardships and challenges can ultimately strengthen a family.

Gloria Campos, emcee; Ke’Onte Cook

The delightful Gloria Campos, recently retired Channel 8 Newscaster and a big supporter of Wednesday’s Child, was the Mistress of Ceremony. Gloria received a Double T Award for Excellence in Public Service by Texas Tech University College of Mass Communications for her weekly “Wednesday’s Child Reports.

Sharon McGowan, Executive Director, Friends of Wednesday’s Child; Linda Crawford

Friends of Wednesday’s Child, Executive Director, Sharon McGowan, spoke about how the organization is transforming the lives of students in foster care by improving their educational path. She said that without educational success, foster children are ill-equipped to support themselves and are 50% more likely to drop out of high school or not graduate on time compared to their peers.

Wednesday’s Child Mission Manager, Alisha Robertson, was presented along with the Board of Directors Chairman, Cindy D. Pagel; Vice-Chairman, Ronald Taylor; Treasurer, Jason “Jay” Towne; Secretary, Delta Emerson; and other members of the Board, including: Celia Barshop, Linda Crawford, Leigh Harris, Clara Kippes, Timmy Newsome, Jennifer Pascal and G. Brint Ryan. Each was thanked for their participation.

After a short film was presented, a delightful luncheon was served, and then Wednesday’s Child Board Member, G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan Innovative Solutions, made closing remarks. Brint stated that the success of the Friends of Wednesday’s Child is due to the combination of the Partnership and Resources that transform the lives of children. He expressed appreciation to the philanthropic-minded Dallas community and thanked them for the proceeds from the luncheon, which will benefit many children.