It's A Wonderful Life in Newman Village

More than $435,000 Raised at Champion of Children Award Dinner



Honorees Trevor and Jan Rees-Jones with Event Chairs Robin and Bill Smith at the Champion of Children Award Dinner.



Sponsors and underwriters contributed more than $435,000 to the 2013 Champion of Children Award Dinner to help abused and neglected children.

Because of the commitment of Event Co-Chairs Robin and Bill Smith and Underwriting Committee members Greg May, Scott Orr, Mark  Berg, Christie Carter and Linda Swartz, more than 450 attended the 16th annual event on Nov. 5 at the Ritz-Carlton. This year's honorees were Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones.  The funds raised from the event support the recruitment and training of Dallas CASA volunteer advocates.

Dallas CASA is grateful for the generosity and support of abused children in our community and the committed volunteers who serve them.

The 2014 Chick Lit Luncheon Author Is...

Community Partners of Dallas announced best-selling author Julia Reed as the featured author for the 2014 Chick Lit Luncheon.  The announcement was made at a cocktail reception hosted by the Kendra Scott boutique on Tuesday, November 19 from 6 until 8 p.m.

Luncheon co-chair Jennifer Evans Morris was joined by over fifty host committee members and sponsors at the West Village shop to enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and of course shopping, with twenty percent of the evening’s proceeds benefiting CPD.  

During the festivities, Paige McDaniel, President and CEO of Community Partners of Dallas, took a moment to welcome partygoers and thank them for their support of the eight annual luncheon presented by long-time sponsors Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel.   She then announced Jennifer Burr Altabef as the 2014 honorary chair and the recipient of the 2014 Partners for Children award - the Junior League of Dallas for their ongoing service and support of the agency.

It was then time for the “big reveal” with Ms. Morris announcing Julia Reed as the keynote speaker for the luncheon.  The New Orlean’s based author has written four best-selling novels, But Mama Always Put Vodka in Her Sangria!: Adventures in Eating, Drinking, and Making Merry, Queen of the Turtle Derby and Other Southern Phenomena; Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns and Other Southern Specialties: An Entertaining Life (with Recipes), and The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story.  In addition, she has been writing for Vogue since 1988, profiling various political figures from Al Gore to Condoleezza Rice. She also contributes regularly to the New York Times Book Review, New York Times, London’s The Spectator and Southern Accents.

Clues about the author were sent out in advance to the host committee to see who could guess the featured speaker.  All correct guesses were then included in a special drawing with host committee member Alyson Ray selected as the winner of a pair of fabulous Kendra Scott earrings!

Other guests in attendance included:  Jennifer Evans Morris, Chick Lit Luncheon chair; Paige McDaniel, President and CEO, Community Partners of Dallas; Francie Mancillas; Katie Robbins; Elizabeth Dacus; Alyson Brown; Jennifer Tobin; Monica Austin; Joanna Clarke, Vice President Development, Community Partners of Dallas; Laura Johnson; Lisa Singleton; Amanda Reynolds; Caytie Langford; Rachel Ratcliff; Jennifer Wegman; Amy Schisler; and Stephanie Hardeman.

The 2014 Chick Lit luncheon presented by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel will be held on April 4, 2014, 11:30 a.m. at Brook Hollow Golf Club.  Benefiting Community Partners of Dallas, the eighth annual event includes seated luncheon, remarks by Ms. Reed and the presentation of the Partners for Children Award.  Tables begin at $1250; for more information, visit www.communitypartnersdallas.org

Shed Your Winter Coat at the Dallas Zoo for Free Admission

The Zoo Unto Others employee volunteer team at the Dallas Zoo is sponsoring the “Shed Your Winter Coat” coat drive to benefit clients of The Stewpot, a barrier-free resource center for the homeless and at-risk of Dallas.

The coat drive takes place on Saturday, December 7 AND Saturday, December 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bring a new or gently used coat, blanket, or sleeping bag and receive FREE admission to the Dallas Zoo that day for each item donated.

Hannah's Story - Volunteer Opportunities with Dallas CASA

Hannah's mother was so addicted to crack cocaine that she frequently turned tricks to support her drug habit.
 
Hannah and her three siblings also were exposed to the many men their mother brought into their home. Child Protective Services removed the children from their mother's care and sent them to live with their grandmother. The grandmother soon found that she could not care for all four children and asked that two of the children be taken into foster care.

CASA volunteers Stacy and Kelly were appointed to the case. Shortly afterward, Mom completed all of her court-ordered services and the children were returned to her home. Because of Mom's history with drugs and prostitution, CPS and CASA agreed to allow the children to go home under a monitored return.

By carefully observing the family, Stacy and Kelly discovered that the children were not attending school or being supervised appropriately. It wasn't long before Mom again tested positive for crack cocaine. Stacy and Kelly recommended that the children be permanently removed from her home.  They then found family members to care for all four siblings.

Through three years of upheaval and transition -- consisting of multiple attorneys, CPS caseworkers, foster homes and therapy sessions -- Stacy and Kelly were the only constant presence in the children's lives. Every time they moved, Stacy and Kelly were there to help them enroll in a new school and ensure that their needs were met, such as making sure they received therapy crucial to their healing.

Today, the two oldest children are living with their grandmother while the younger siblings live with an aunt who lives nearby. They get to see each other often and remain connected as a family. The families keep in touch with their CASA volunteers who frequently receive photos and email updates about the children's new lives. 

On an average day in Dallas County, more than 2,000 abused and neglected children live in foster care because they cannot live safely at home. These children need powerful voices to speak for them. Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a non-profit organization of volunteers who are voices for abused children in court. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in protective care.

Dallas CASA is accepting applications for our January and February volunteer training sessions. The first step toward becoming a CASA volunteer is attending a new volunteer information session. Register online here: http://www.dallascasa.org/how-to-volunteer/become-a-volunteer-advocate.html

“Santa Paws” Pet Photos at Hotel Palomar Dallas

Santa is coming to pet-friendly Hotel Palomar Dallas on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 2-4pm! Bring your furry friends and pose for a free holiday photo. Enjoy tasty treats and sipping warm cider and hot chocolate or a holiday craft cocktail from Central 214’s Amber West. Personal cameras welcome. Pro photos will be posted to Hotel Palomar’s Facebook page for easy download the following week.  Donations are encouraged to support Operation Kindness.

Volunteer Center of North Texas Announces New CEO

The Volunteer Center of North Texas (VCNT) is pleased to announce Tammy Richards has been named new CEO effective December 2, 2013.

"We are thrilled to have Tammy join the Volunteer Center of North Texas and help us further advance our goal of connecting more volunteers with volunteer opportunities," said VCNT Board Chairman Cheryl Alston. "Tammy's leadership experience in the corporate, education and nonprofit sectors will be a great asset as we launch and generate awareness of our Voly.org initiative, which is at the heart of our mission of bringing together nonprofit organization with volunteers willing to help them."

Ms. Richards is a well-known community leader with a wealth of management, educational, business and nonprofit experience. Before moving into the education and nonprofit sectors, she had a successful career at Texas Instruments (TI) for more than 20 years, including serving as Vice President of Marketing for the Education Technology division.

After TI, Ms. Richards worked at the Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University, where she served as Associate Dean and COO, as well as Executive Director of The Infinity Project. Most recently, she was CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star. Ms. Richards also has deep experience in nonprofit boards, including the Plano Independent School District, Head Start of Greater Dallas and the Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Ms. Richards is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen as the next CEO of the Volunteer Center of North Texas. I am energized by the Volunteer Center's rich past and exciting future as a force for transformational change in our community through volunteerism," said new VCNT CEO Tammy Richards. "I look forward to working with the board and staff as we expand our reach through the innovative Voly.org initiative."

As previously announced, former CEO Julie Thomas is stepping down from her day-to-day responsibilities as CEO. However, she will continue to cultivate major gifts to VCNT.

Food Trucks for Tots this Saturday

On Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 11:00am-5:00pm, Dallas and Fort Worth food trucks are gathering at The Shops at Park Lane, 8080 Park Lane, Dallas, Texas 75231 for a toy drive for the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of Toys for Tots. Over 10 United States Marines will be on hand to take toy donations and guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a needy child. Pictures with Santa will be available in addition to live music, bounce houses, and vendors for holiday shopping.

In partnership with local schools including Naaman Forest, students will be encouraged to collect toys and bring them to the event with their family. With 15 confirmed food trucks will be on-site including Rock And Roll Tacos, Easy Slider Truck, Doughboys Pizza, Parrot Ice, Ruthie’s Rolling Café, Cup Cakin, Mo’ Joe a Go-Go Coffee Truck and more.

Guests are encouraged to ride the DART Rail to the Park Lane Station. DFW FOOD TRUCK GROUP, The Shops at Park Lane, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Durty Laundry and other local sponsors bring this event to you.

Plano ISD Education Foundation Prepares to Ski Plano