Dallas CASA to Honor Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki

Dallas CASA will honor Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki with the Judge Barefoot Sanders Champion of Children Award for their ongoing commitment to making the lives of children better. Since the very beginning of Dirk Nowitzki’s long and storied Dallas Mavericks career, his Dirk Nowitzki Foundation has awarded millions to help disadvantaged children. Since his retirement earlier this year, Dirk and his wife have continued their involvement and investment in the community’s children.

The Champion of Children Award dinner raises funds for Dallas CASA. All proceeds are used to support the volunteer advocates who help abused children find safe, permanent and loving homes. The award is named in honor of Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders, the revered United States District Court judge for the Northern District of Texas, a past award recipient and a steadfast supporter of children.

Guest speaker for the evening is Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, the Michigan circuit court judge who allowed more than 150 abuse survivors to testify in court against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. Aquilina gained national attention for providing time and space for victims to speak publicly prior to Nassar’s sentencing as well as her tough talk to Nassar in the courtroom. 

https://www.dallascasa.org/dallas-casa-events/champion-of-children-award-dinner/

Alyssa Milano, Sterling McDavid, Pier 1 Imports Honored at 2nd Annual UNICEF Children First Gala in Dallas, TX

On Friday evening, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF hosted the 2nd annual Children’s First: An Evening with UNICEF gala at Sixty Five Hundred in Dallas, Texas, which raised funds to support UNICEF’s mission to save and improve children’s lives.   

A view of the dining room at the Children First. An Evening With UNICEF on April 15, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for U.S. Fund for UNICEF)

The event honored actress Alyssa Milano with the Spirit of Compassion Award for her work in support of children throughout 13 years as a UNICEF Ambassador.  Pier 1 Imports also received the UNICEF Children First Award, accepted by President and CEO Alex W. Smith, for their 31-year commitment to raising funds and awareness for the organization, while Sterling McDavid, UNICEF Next Generation National Development Committee Chair, was presented with the inaugural NextGen Champion for Children Award, for her dedication to helping children globally.

U.S. Fund for UNICEF Co-Chair/Southwest Regional Board Vice Chair Joyce Goss, UNICEF Co-Chair Jessica Nowitzki, UNICEF Ambassador and recipient of the 'Spirit of Compassion' award Alyssa Milano and U.S. Fund for UNICEF Southwest Regional Board Chair Selwyn Rayzor at the CHILDREN FIRST. AN EVENING WITH UNICEF in Dallas, TX

Alyssa Milano said, "I’m truly grateful to be part of this special family making a difference for our world’s children.  I say family, because to me, that’s what UNICEF is: a global family. Becoming a mother has only intensified the pride I feel for this organization.  No parent should ever have to go through the pain and suffering of losing their child to preventable causes.  I hope that my dedication to UNICEF one day inspires my own children to take action and live a life that focuses on giving.”  

UNICEF Ambassador and recipient of the 'Spirit of Compassion' award Alyssa Milano speaks at the CHILDREN FIRST. AN EVENING WITH UNICEF in Dallas, TX.

Over the course of the evening, guests enjoyed a performance by country singer Sara Evans, a seated dinner and a live auction presented by Louis Murad. More than 330 guests attended the gala hosted by Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers raising over $730,000 in support of UNICEF’s work.

Singer-songwriter Sara Evans (R) performs at the CHILDREN FIRST. AN EVENING WITH UNICEF in Dallas, TX.

 Notable attendees included actress Naomie Harris, event Co-Chairs Joyce Goss and Jessica Nowitzki with Dallas Chair, Let us Learn’s Serena Simmons Connelly as well as leadership committee members Catie Enrico, Sheryl Maas, Selwyn Rayzor, Leigh Rinearson, Gowri Sharma and D’Andra Simmons.

Actress Naomie Harris, Nasiba Adilova and Federica Fanari at the CHILDREN FIRST. AN EVENING WITH UNICEF in Dallas, TX

Auction packages featured a dinner with Dirk Nowitzki and friends, a “Madam Secretary” Experience with UNICEF Ambassador Téa Leoni, Manhattan in Style: New York Fashion Week, and a trip to the field to see UNICEF's work for children in action.

The School in a Box kit contains supplies and materials for a teacher and up to 40 students. The purpose of the kit is to ensure the continuation of children's education by the first 72 hours of an emergency.