Dream Big at Unique, One-of-a-Kind Luncheon

RSVP: rsvp@wedchild.org

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.

Bill and Cachet Weinberg, luncheon chair

Nancy and Herbert Hunt, presenting sponsors

Tavia Hunt, Lisa Troutt, Heather Washburne

Contributed by Pat Holder of Pat Holder and Assoc.

Photographs by Dana Driensky

2012 Chi Omega Christmas Market

The 2012 Chi Omega Christmas Market marks 35 years of giving by bringing a unique holiday shopping experience to Centennial Hall at Dallas’ Fair Park! Continuing the spirited tradition, the Chi Omega Christmas Market has selected the following 2012 beneficiaries: Contact Crisis Line, Friends of Wednesday’s Child, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, Night OWLS, Parkland Foundation, Readers2Leaders, Taylor’s Gift Foundation, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and Chi Omega Collegiate Scholarships. Kick off your holiday shopping and get into the holiday spirit at this can’t-miss festive event!

Wednesday, November 14th

35th Anniversary Preview Party

7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Complimentary Valet Parking
Tickets: $75

Join us for an exclusive preview of this year’s Market while enjoying cocktails, appetizers, and a raffle with fantastic prizes! The evening will feature WFAA's Shelly Slater as Emcee, entertainment by DJ Lucy Wrubel, and a photo booth by MyLivePhotos.com sponsored by The PickAPerch.com Team of Nathan Grace Real Estate.

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

Thursday, November 15th

First Call Shopping
9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20

Be one of the first to shop the Market! The morning's festivities include book signings by Betty Lou Phillips and Roblyn Herndon, authors of The Night Before Christmas in Paris and The Allure of French & Italian Decor, Betty Lou's 11th Design Book!

First Call tickets also offer readmission during all General Admission hours.

General Market Hours
Tickets: $12

Thursday, November 15th

1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Friday, November 16th

10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 17th

10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m

"A Home for the Holidays" Luncheon

More than 150 hundred guests attended the annual Friends of Wednesday's Child Luncheon on December 2nd at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas. Students from Booker T. Washington performed, and Emcee Gloria Campos was presented with a suprise award for her many years of service on behalf of Wednesday's Child.
Chair Kathy Miller Rabey, speaker Tracy Elliott, Kathy Miller

Guest speaker was former Mrs. Texas, Southlake resident Tracy Elliott, who knows pain and fear first hand. Tracy chronicles her upbringing in her book, "Unbroken." Tracy is now the mother of two, and her husband Bryan is a successful businessman. Says Tracy, "The devil cannot make you ashamed of things you give God the glory for bringing you through. I am not ashamed about anything in my life, because if you are delivered from it and you give God the glory, then you are laughing in the devil’s face."Gloria Campos and her son Gregory Brown

Friends of Wednesday’s Child (formerly Wednesday’s Child Benefit Corporation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 when volunteers recognized there is no child needier than a foster child. Today, they are the only non-profit organization whose single purpose is to meet the unique needs of North Texas foster children.

Friends of Wednesday's Child Cocktail Party

Join Friends of Wednesday's Child as they honor the Holiday Host Committee!
RSVP: Jenny Banda jbanda@wedchild.org
The Annual Holiday Luncheon will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011.

Starbucks Back-to-School Drive

It's never to early to start getting ready for back to school. Friends of Wednesday's Child is honored to partner with Starbucks to help provide area children with everything they need to tackle the school year ahead.

Donations for school supplies are being accepted at the following Starbucks locations from now until August 1st:
3216 Knox St.
1700 Pacific Ave. (Downtown)
2801 Allen (Columbus Square, Downtown)
3330 Oak Lawn
1201 Elm St.
3699 McKinney Ave.
4101 Lemmon Ave.
2285 Northwest Highway (across from Half-Price Books)
4025 Gaston Ave.
1111 Mockingbird Ln.(between I-35 and 183)
5715 Lemon Ave.
For a list of supplies, click here!

Modern Family Fest

12:00 to 6:00 PM
Methodist Hospital – Folsom Fitness Center Park
262 West Greenbriar, Dallas 75203

Modern Family Fest is a family/pet friendly outdoor festival that will include live entertainment, vendors, food, kid’s activities, games, family portraits, and much more. All proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of Wednesday’s Child, bringing hope and healing to North Texas foster children.

Kid’s Activities include mini football camp with Dallas Cowboy Great, Timmy Newsome, face painting, kid's circus, arts and crafts projects, family portraits, photo ID cards, frisbee, bean bag toss, horseshoes, etc.

Entry fee: $10 for adults, $5 for children

A family package includes two adult and two children’s tickets, gift bag with event picnic blanket and $20 worth of food/beverage coupons, all for $60.

Purchase tickets now!

Friends of Wednesday's Child - Donation Requests

Donation Request

Friends of Wednesday's Child is in need of donations for upcoming programs for their kids. Your assistance with an in-kind donation will be greatly appreciated. To donate, please contact info@wedchild.org

Current needs are as follows:

• New Make Up (Lipstick, nail polish, blush, eye shadow)
• Journal / Notecards
• Picture Frames (5x7)
• Aprons / recipe box
• Hair Products
• Scrapbook Kits /Art Kit
• Book: "The Six Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make," by Sean Covey
• Water bottles
• Measuring cups
• 30 DART passes
• 25 disposable cameras

Belonging - A Holiday Luncheon

A Holiday Luncheon

for Friends of Wednesday's Child

This is the year to belong…

because every child deserves the love of a family, memories, a happy childhood and a place to call home.

Featuring Leigh Ann Tuohy

the incredible foster mother portrayed by Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”

Janelle and Larry Friedman, Chairs

Honoring Myrna Schlegel

Friday, December 3, 2010

11:00 a.m.

The Ritz-Carlton Dallas

The "Heart of Art" silent auction

Book signing by Leigh Anne Tuohy

Holiday performance by The Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas

Awards Presentation