RSVP Calendar: Interfaith Family Services

A packed field of 116 golfers attended the 15th Annual Interfaith Golf Classic at Royal Oaks Country Club on Monday, Sept. 12. The sold-out event raised $126,735 to benefit the nonprofit organization Interfaith Family Services and its mission to empower families in crisis to break the cycle of poverty.

Ben Eakes, Kimberly Williams, Brian Hegi

Kimberly Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Interfaith Family Services, addressed the crowd before golfers headed out to a shotgun start, saying, “The Interfaith Golf Classic is always a fun day, but I want you to know you are also doing some serious good. Your support will help families in crisis who are eager to learn the skills needed so they will never be homeless again.”

Members of the Interfaith Golf Classic Committee also spoke, including Ben Eakes and Brian Hegi. In addition to being the Managing Partners of Crossplane Capital, presenting sponsor for the day’s event, the two are members of the Interfaith Board of Directors.

Their remarks were followed by a moving testimonial from Interfaith graduate Rachael Royal, whose life has come full circle. She is now on the board of directors at Interfaith, which was there for her during a period of homelessness over a decade ago.

Rachael Royal, Interfaith graduate

She said, “Interfaith Family Services taught me how to take tragedy and turn it into triumph. I learned we are greater than our circumstances. We can choose to allow ourselves to be overtaken by our obstacles – or use them as steppingstones on a path to the greatness that lies within us all. I chose the latter.”

Dan Lehane, Zach Mayor, Matt Nickel, Matt Simmons, Adam Pierson, Zach Pope

Royal Oaks Golf Pro Dean Larsson then released the players to the course. The day’s golf activities included a round of 18 holes, food and beverage stations throughout the course and the opportunity to win an Infiniti QX50 Luxe SUV and other prizes provided by Sewell in a series of hole-in-one contests. While no players won, all had fun trying.

Winners of the day’s competition were announced at the conclusion of play including:

• 1st Place, Gross Score: Wingstop (Eric Hall, Zach Mayor, Jared Pope and Zach Pope)

• 1st Place, Net Score: SCA Transaction Services (Corey Gebert, Kenny Lamb, Chris Parker, Cody Robertson)

• 2nd Place, Net Score: Benchmark Bank (Art Barnes, Thomas Gresham, Fox Haas, Wilson White)

• 3rd Place, Net Score: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld (Ryan Cox, Brent Sacha, Trevor Vega and Eric Williams)

• Longest Drive: Justin Fraley

• Closest to the Pin, Low Handicap: Corey Gebert, Kevin Wheland

• Closest to the Pin, High Handicap: Jason Ahman, Bryan Ochocki

Kenny Lamb, Charlie Genette, Ben Eakes, Seth Angel

Dallas lifestyle expert, author and philanthropist Kimberly Schlegel Whitman delighted a full ballroom of volunteers, philanthropists, and nonprofits with the story of her grandmother whom she remembers fondly for always doing for others.

Ali Mikles, Kim Schlegel Whitman

“My grandmother had five children of her own, and during her lifetime, she also had 36 foster children!” exclaimed Whitman. “She was an angel on earth. Seeing my grandmother’s joy in serving others had a huge impact on me.”

Whitman provided the keynote address titled, “Adventures in Philanthropy: How Trying To Give Back Changed My Life And Career,” at the Dallas Junior Forum 40^th Anniversary spring luncheon on April 26, at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion. Luncheon chair was Mary Cartwright, and WFAA’s Jane McGarry served as mistress of ceremonies.

Janice Whitehill, Sue Ragsdale, Royce Cooper, Linda DeFee, Linda McCarthy

The Dallas Junior Forum (DJF), a non-profit volunteer organization for women in North Texas that employs no paid staff, is one of nine chapters of Junior Forum, Inc. – Texas based service organizations originating in Houston in 1959. DJF was founded in 1977 to create greater interest in civic, educational and philanthropic endeavors in the North Texas community through volunteer work focused on children, families and the elderly.

Boys from Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas volunteer each year at the luncheon

The annual luncheon, known for its expansive silent auction featuring hundreds of items, helps to provide monetary grants to the nonprofits the group serves.

Organizations served by the Dallas Junior Forum include Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, The Ebby House, Juliette Fowler Communities, Frisco Family Services, Hope’s Door New Beginnings Center, Interfaith Family Services, Network, PediPlace, and the Ronald McDonald House.

Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Ashlee Kleinert

Since it began 40 years ago, DJF has donated hundreds of thousands of volunteer service hours to the charitable agencies it supports. During the 2014-15 fiscal year alone, members volunteered more than 16,400 hours and saved the nonprofits served $411,800 in wages, employment taxes and benefit expenses. Additionally, DJF awarded $123,700 in grants and non-grant funding. Over the years this all-volunteer organization has donated more than $1 million in direct grants and non-grants to worthy non-profit organizations throughout North Texas.

DJF Past Presidents - Back row: (left to right) Jamie Isbell, Julie Sheridan, Valerie McMahan, Mary Cartwright Front row: (left to right) Vanessa Hoffman, Joan Oxford, Carol Gregston, Leah Margerison, Vicki Olson, Marianna Thiebaud, Ann W. Jones, Sheila Moore, Kristin Parrino

As guests enjoyed pink champagne soup with mint drizzle, tenderloin of beef Nicoise salad, and triple chocolate parfaits, Whitman praised the members for their amazing work and the many volunteer hours they give so many nonprofits each year.

“As a child, I watched how my parents were always very involved with giving back to the community, and I want my children to see me giving and helping others as well,” added Whitman.

She also highlighted the seven books she has written and said that her most recent book “Monograms for the Home: The Art of Making Your Mark” was inspired from a quote she read from Reese Witherspoon: “If it doesn’t breathe, monogram it!”

Immediately following the luncheon, Whitman held a book signing and visited with guests.

Book signing with Kimberly Schlegel Whitman

“Kim represents a new generation of volunteers involved in service to others,” added Cartwright. “We were excited to look out in the audience and see some new faces and hope to have some new members to help us serve others in the coming year. As we continue our 40^th anniversary celebration this year, we hope to reach even more people in need.”

Visit http://www.dallasjuniorforum.org.