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Sabrina Chavolla, Cynde Seskes, Jo Alch, Executive Director, Pajamas for Seniors; Dr. Carla Russo and Regina Bruce, founders, Lone Star Monarchs; Matt Alch.

Lone Star Monarchs and Rustic Cuff present Pajamas for Seniors Over $100,000 in Donations of New Pajamas in Support of its Upcoming Easter Event 2022

 It was a beautiful day at the warehouse as Dallas-based Lone Star Monarchs, in collaboration with Jill Donovan, founder of Rustic Cuff, presented Jo Alch, founder of Pajamas for Seniors, with over $101,500+ in donations of cash and new adult pajamas in support of its upcoming Easter Event 2022 benefiting low-income seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living.          

That total included Lone Star Monarchs’ founders Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo presenting a donation of a $5,000 check plus $2,500+ worth of new pajamas, and $94,000+ worth of new pajamas donated by Rustic Cuff.        

Lone Star Monarchs’ volunteers Kimberly Elliott and Jason Spangler drove a moving truck to Rustic Cuff’s location in Tulsa, OK where boxes of pajamas were loaded. They were brought back to Dallas to sort and prepare to surprise Jo Alch and her team with this huge windfall, along with other special surprises, to help these seniors as part of Pajamas for Seniors upcoming Easter plans.          

During the formal presentation, Carla and Regina, along with a team of other Lone Star Monarchs’ volunteers, which included Kimberly Elliott, Jacqueline Griffin, Jeanne Lewis, Kunthear Mam-Douglas, Cynthia Seskes and Cindi Tesseneer, presented the donations to Pajamas for Seniors. In addition, Regina presented Jo with a book Jill Donovan authored entitled “The Kindness Effect,” which Jill personally autographed to Jo.         

As the boxes and boxes of pajamas were loaded into the moving truck, the afternoon concluded with warm hugs and other expressions of gratitude and thanks for the blessings and abundant gifts brought forth by so many generous and kind-hearted people who had come together in support of these low income seniors, who have given so much to the community.          

To learn more about the Lone Star Monarchs, visit the website at www.LoneStarMonarchs.org and Pajamas for Seniors at www.pajamasforseniors.org 

Lone Star Monarchs Mission:
To inspire and nurture the human spirit, as together, we build an effective network of individuals and organizations to support a broad spectrum of charitable organizations in Dallas and throughout Texas.  Lone Star Monarchs’ purpose is exclusively educational and charitable to connect people and enrich lives. Lone Star Monarchs is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
www.LoneStarMonarchs.org   FB @LoneStarMonarchs IG @lonestarmonarchs/

Pajamas for Seniors Mission:
We believe that ALL seniors deserve to be loved and recognized as valuable contributors to our society. They have helped raise us. They have been our teachers, our neighbors and our cherished family members. Our mission at Pajamas for Seniors is to return that love and kindness one pajama at a time. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving DFW. With your support, we can make a difference! www.pajamasforseniors.org
FB @pajamasforseniors  IG @pajamasforseniorsdfw

About Rustic Cuff:
        
What feels like the end is often the beginning. Jill Donovan’s need for a creative outlet and her lifelong obsession with cuff bracelets turned into more than she ever dreamed. An opportunity landed her on the Oprah show where her practice of regifting was challenged by etiquette experts. Jill turned tragedy into triumph and taught herself to make cuffs to gift instead.  Jill gave them to friends, family, and some celebrities.
        
In March 2015, a Rustic Cuff bracelet that Jill had given to Gayle King was worn by Oprah herself on the cover of her O, The Oprah Magazine®. A regift from Gayle to Oprah? In November 2016, the Rustic Cuff Dallas 1/2” Metallic Stingray was named as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2016. For Jill, these are both the best full-circle moments!
        
Today, Jill’s inspiration comes from being mom to Ireland and August, AKA Peanut. She attributes the brand’s success to her amazingly loyal friends from all across the country. Known for her big heart and generous spirit, Jill strives to inspire these traits in others and loves hearing new stories from women who are moved to gift the cuff off of their own wrists. For Jill, it’s not about the bracelet, but the connection that is made between two people, often strangers, in that moment. Spontaneous moments. Full of hope and love, tears and laughter. The birth of Rustic Cuff may have stemmed from regifting gone wrong. But the ripple effect is regifting gone right.  https://www.rusticcuff.com/pages/the-story-of-rustic-cuff

Photos by Danny Campbell

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Jimmy Johnson

The Largest Roofing, Solar, and Storm Restoration Conference in America presents Keynote Speakers Former Head Coach and Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson, Former NFL Player Herschel Walker, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Jordan Belfort “Wolf of Wall Streeet,” Ryan Stewman, and Richard Rawlings “Gas Monkey”

 

Storm Ventures Group (SVG) hosts the “Win The Storm Conference” (WTS) beginning Monday, February 14-16 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center with over 7,000+ WTS attendees, a full Tradeshow Expo Floor with 300+ leading industry vendors.  Many WTS attendees are Dallas or Texas-based business owners.  WTS is the leading conference and tradeshow expo for general contracting, roofing and restoration companies and solar companies looking to gain advanced training, technology, and tactics to scale their businesses and help property owners recover after large storms and catastrophic events.

Keynote speakers include Jimmy Johnson, Herschel Walker, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Jordan Belfort “Wolf of Wall Street,” and Richard Rawlings “Gas Monkey.” 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14 (DAY ONE) – Kicks off with an emotional performance by local Dallas celebrity Breez Carver, age 13, with over 20M views on Facebook, and millions more on YouTube, Instagram. Carver is a dancer who competed on Season 16 of America's Got Talent. Breez is now 13 years old. She started dancing when she was 5 years old.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will follow her in an unforgettable opening performance to AC/DC Thunderstruck and open for SVG Founder & CEO, Anthony Delmedico. 

Anthony will open WTS with a speech relating the “Greatest Trade in NFL History” to business leaders and their teams.  He will be followed by Herschel Walker and Jimmy Johnson who will continue this “Winning and Mindset” theme on their main stage speaking performance, and openly discuss the greatest trade in NFL History, how it affected them, and how it can relate to business leaders today.  This is one of the first times these two have taken the stage together since parting ways in 1990.

From Anthony Delmedico:

“Herschel Walker was one of the key trades Jimmy Johnson made to winning multiple Super Bowls.  This was the biggest trade in NFL history, as it involved 18 players or picks. At the time, Herschel was considered one of the greatest players of all time, earning the Heisman Trophy in 1982. He began his NFL Career with the Dallas Cowboys in 1986. 

“In 1989, at the peak of Walker's NFL career, the Cowboys sent Herschel Walker to the Vikings for five players and six draft picks.  Those picks turned into players such as Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson. And one that built the Cowboys' dynasty of the 90s!   

“The team went on to dominate the NFL for the better part of the decade. The Cowboys won Super Bowls in 1993, 1994 and 1996. Jimmy was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest trades in NFL history!”

The 5th Annual Industry Awards Night, will be held on Monday, February 14 from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at The House of Blues, located at 2200 North Lamar Street in Dallas.  Categories include “Most Influential,” “Top Growth,” “Hurricane Hero,” “Elite Contractor Awards,” “Female Entrepreneur of the Year,” “Million Dollar Producers,” “Entrepreneur of the Year,” and many other awards.  Jordan Belfort “Wolf of Wall Street” and Richard Rawlings “Gas Monkey” will be Celebrity Hosts at this event as they present awards to local Dallas-based business owners.   SVG will be hosting a Black-Tie event at Industry Award Night with many Dallas business owners to raise money and awareness for storm victims, including homeless families and children without families, due to a record year of devastating storms that killed hundreds and left thousands homeless, including young children.  100% of the monies raised during the auction will be donated to USDR (United Survivors Disaster Relief).

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 (DAY TWO):  Keynote speaker Jordan Belfort (aka Wolf of Wall Street) takes the Main Stage to share his comeback story.  Other speakers include Dallas-based TV celebrity Richard Rawlings “Gas Monkey.” Richard is dropping his fully restored big block 1969 Mustang Mach 1 on the WTS Tradeshow Expo Floor.  Local Dallas entrepreneur and author “Hardcore Closer” Ryan Stewman; Dallas-based entrepreneur and author, Steven Rozenberg, founder of the fastest growing property management company in the State of Texas, are speaking as well.  The afternoon session of speakers will be joined by Kirt Linington, CEO of Dallas-based Linear Roofing, one of the fastest growing roofing companies in America.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 (DAY THREE):  Features a highly contentious live main stage debate between policyholder attorney John Houghtaling and Dallas-based carrier attorney Steve Badger. These two adversaries cover some of the most controversial legal and carrier issues in the $100B+ Property Casualty Claims Industry to include: Systematic practice of short pay, slow pay, and denials by insurance carriers and their adjusters,

fraudulent 3rd party engineering companies used by carriers to deny claims, unconstitutional UPPA laws, tortious interference by carriers and their many agents who threaten to introduce other contractors to your projects if you do not accept their price, short pay games by carriers who make it near impossible to start or complete some necessary roofing or restoration projects after large storms and catastrophic events, systematic price fixing by insurance carriers, systematic practice of short pay, slow pay, and no pay by insurance carriers.

SVG is launching their newest product at WTS, SVG U Virtual Reality (VR) 3.0. These custom VR Goggles allow companies in any industry to train their employees in a variety of real-life instructional scenarios in a 360-degree virtual reality environment. SVG VR 3.0 helps entrepreneurs across all industries instruct their teams in an interactive, hands-on learning environment. 

General admission tickets start at $500. VIP Registration is $2,900 and includes premier seating, lunch and photo opportunity with keynote speakers, panelists and mainstage speakers, industry awards night access at House of Blues. Military veterans are free with advance registration. One day passes are available for $250 to all local business owners and entrepreneurs, regardless of industry. Register at www.WinTheStorm.com or call 330-57-STORM to RSVP or for more information. 

“So many amazing speakers, breakout sessions and keynotes this year! This conference is going to top the charts! We are excited to bring former head coach and Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson and Herschel Walker on stage to discuss the Greatest Trade in NFL History, how it changed the NFL, and how it can be applied to Winning in Business.  We will also be showcasing our newest Storm and Solar (Virtual Reality) VR Training Goggles.  We can now train employees, salespeople, and crews with our VR goggles on a variety of field operations including selling, inspecting properties, building roofs, safety, and more. This saves time, money, reduces liability, and allows them to train anywhere, anytime. It is revolutionizing the way the entire construction, roofing, and building industry trains. This new 360 VR app technology can be utilized for any company, in any industry,” says Anthony Delmedico, CEO and founder, Storm Ventures Group; creator of SVG University and SVG U (VR); producer of the annual Win The Storm Conference and Tradeshow Expo, author of the Win The Game book, host of the Contractor Rescue reality show. 

The three-day event includes networking, keynote speakers, expert presentations and panels with live Q&A, over 75 industry-specific breakout sessions, nightly networking receptions, Industry Awards night, motivational and team building exercises, as well as a tradeshow floor full of the industry’s leading vendors and suppliers.    

Breakout session topics include courses on Entrepreneurship, Scaling and Selling Your Business, Building Teams and Company Culture, Estimating, Supplementing, Production Management, Safety, Storm Mapping and Prediction, Managing Large Loss Claims, Drone Training, SVG Virtual Reality (VR) Training, Marketing, Sales, Apps, Technology, Cybersecurity, Software, Business Operations, Accounts Receivable, and many more.   

Event activities include the Roofer Bowl Party on Sunday, February 13 sponsored by SRS, which will feature a Super Bowl half-time show performance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and singing performance by Bella Mia Delmedico.  This is an optional day to come by and pre-register to skip the long lines on Monday morning. 

About Storm Ventures Group 

Storm Ventures Group [SVG] is the premier catastrophic management consulting and joint venture firm. SVG is a global leader in training construction industry professionals how to help property owners recover quickly after catastrophic storm events. The SVG team brings over 25 years of experience in commercial and residential construction, insurance restoration, and best practices in construction management to the rapidly growing insurance restoration industry. SVG products include SVG University (SVG U), a virtual online training platform for general contractors, roofing, construction and restoration professionals. SVG U includes a full course library of hands-on, engaging, industry-specific training videos with courses, chapters, and testing to help contractors scale. SVG U launched the SVG U Virtual Reality (VR) goggles to provide a 360-degree virtual reality virtual reality training environment. Regardless of weather conditions such as rain or cold, new hires can train 24/7 indoors in a real-life virtual platform with a laser pointer and a set of goggles. The SVG annual Win The Storm Conference & Trade Show Expo attracts, trains and mobilizes construction and restoration companies throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia to successfully manage catastrophic storm events, build sales teams, rebuild communities and streamline operations to scale. For more information call 330-57-STORM or visit us online at www.StormVenturesGroup.com. To RSVP for the annual Win The Storm Conference & Trade Show Expo, please visit www.WinTheStorm.com.    

 

Courtesy photos.  

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Piper Meyer, event organizer and president of the Schimelpfenig Middle School National Junior Honor Society.

Piper Meyer, President of the Schimelpfenig Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, brought in over 250 student volunteers to assemble 100 Buddy Bags

Piper Meyer, an 8th grade student and president of the Schimelpfenig Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, had a very special mission, one that is very real and close to her heart. Her sister, Lucy Meyer, is a Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Warrior (child with cancer) and was a recipient of a WOKC Buddy Bag, which Piper knew first-hand had benefitted her sister while she was in the hospital undergoing treatments and tests. Piper invited her fellow students and volunteers to join her in assembling 100 Buddy Bags for distribution to WOKC Warriors. About 250 students joined in shifts at the school and within just a few hours, had completed assembling 100 Buddy Bags.
        

Piper gave thanks to everyone for giving up hours on a Saturday to accomplish this goal. She especially thanked Shelby Rose, the middle school’s National Junior Honor Society advisor and Kristen Kinnard, school principal.
          

Buddy Bags are a core component of WOKC’s mission to work relentlessly for a day when cancer is no longer a threat to any child. They are designed to ease the transition from home/pediatrician's office to hospital for both the child and parents.  A Buddy Bag is given to each child admitted to the hospital (Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Medical City Children's Hospital and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth) with a cancer diagnosis to cover their family needs for that first shocking and stressful week at the hospital.  
        

Buddy Bags are sturdy rolling suitcases filled with over 30 items, including basic toiletries, electronics, coloring books, games/toys, food vouchers, pillows, blankets, chargers, and other comfort items. All items in the Buddy Bag are the result of a thoughtful collaboration by parents of kids with cancer who know better than anyone which items might be needed at that time of crisis. Parents have called the Buddy Bags "medicine for the soul."
        

In addition to the Buddy Bag Program, Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer sponsors other programs:
* The Warrior Family Program involves numerous fun events throughout each year, including professional and semi-professional sporting events, picnics, fishing tournaments, holiday parties, a summer camp in Maine, and more.

* The Research Program: In its 40-year history, WOKC has provided $7 million in seed money for its novel research projects, which have received $22 million in additional grant money over these past 40 years. Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer has maintained focus on childhood cancer research by funding projects to increase survival rate, provide better treatment, and help doctors understand better this vicious disease.
        

Aashik Khakoo is CEO of Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. Cindy Brinker Simmons is founder of WOKC.        

To learn more about Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and how you can become involved, visit the website at www.wokc.org. Facebook  @WipeOutKidsCancer  and Instagram @wokc

*Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

        

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Lisa Loy Laughlin, President, Women’s Council; Claire Catrino, Chair, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party; Laurie Sands Harrison, Honorary Chair

Celebrating its 34th Year benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden

 

The scene was set with anticipation as Stanley Korshak hosted the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party 2022 Reveal. The bubbly flowed as Stanley Korshak representative Martha Leonard welcomed Claire Catrino, chair of Mad Hatter’s Tea Party 2022 and Lisa Loy Laughlin, president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, along with board members, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party former chairs and supporters.
       
Lisa said she is honored to serve as president of the Women’s Council and shared that the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party benefits A Woman’s Garden, which is the only garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women and will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in the Fall of 2022.   With a heartfelt smile, Lisa said that she has known her dear friend Cile McCormick for years and her daughter Claire Catrino, since she was a little girl. With profound pride, Lisa introduced Claire as the chair of Mad Hatter’s Tea Party 2022, celebrating its 34th year.
       
Claire gave details about the upcoming event, reminding everyone to mark their calendars for Wednesday, April 20, 2022 and join in the fun at the Dallas Arboretum’s Ginsburg Plaza and inside at Rosine Hall, highlighting styles of the spring season presented by Tootsie’s featured in a fashion show produced by Jan Strimple.
       
The first big reveal moment arrived as Lisa introduced longtime friend Laurie Sands Harrison as the honorary chair. Laurie’s family has a rich Dallas history. It was absolutely appropriate that this announcement took place at Stanley Korshak, located in the Crescent Court, which her mother, the late Caroline Rose Hunt, built as part of her visionary development of Uptown, including The Mansion on Turtle Creek. As Claire joined Lisa at the podium, they drew back the cover of the poster announcing the 2022 theme Dallas with a resounding round of applause filling the room. The artwork portrays Dallas icons created by Lisa’s sister, Laura Loy Capps. With cheers and smiles all around, everyone was already discussing the creative possibilities for their Mad Hatter’s Tea Party fashions and hats.
       
Guests travel from all over the United States, planning their trips to Dallas not only to take part in the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – many in wild and wonderful over-the-top hats - but to view the glorious springtime azalea displays and flowers that grace the Dallas Arboretum.
       
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Dallas begins with a champagne reception where celebrity hat judges choose winners in various categories as they stroll the red carpet. After the winners are announced, a fashion show is presented followed by an elegant and lovely tea. Calvert Collins is Mistress of Ceremonies. Media sponsor is My Sweet Charity.
       
Underwriting, sponsorships and individual tickets will be available soon. Check the website at www.wcdabg.org for details on the hat judges and hat categories announcements to be announced early 2022.

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S COUNCIL:  Since 1986 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. The support of over 500 members of the Women’s Council makes possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  www.wcdabg.org

ABOUT A WOMAN’S GARDEN: Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in Fall of 2022: A Woman’s Garden is the only garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women. Ablaze with color in every season, A Woman’s Garden sits majestically as a living testament to the passion and vision of the Women’s Council founders and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design. Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion and unwavering commitment of the women who came before us and those entrusted with its care now, and into the future. 

ENDOWMENT TRUST HISTORY: In May 1995 the Women’s Council broke ground on Phase I of A Woman’s Garden. On October 4, 1997, Phase I of A Woman’s Garden opened to the public. Just three years later in 2000, the Women’s Council met its obligation to fund the $1.5 million endowment trust to support the ongoing maintenance of Phase I. In August 2021 the Women’s Council met its obligation four years ahead of schedule to complete the funding of the $1.6 million endowment trust to support the ongoing maintenance of Phase II of A Woman’s Garden.

 Photos by Dana Driensky

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Aashik Khakoo, CEO, Wipe Out Kid’s Cancer; Dr. Carla Russo, a founder of Lone Star Monarchs and Warrior Gift Basket chair; John Dankovchik, (Santa Claus) WOKC board chair; Regina Bruce, Lone Star Monarchs and Warrior Gift Basket chair; Cindy Brinker Simmons, Founder, Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer.

The Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC) Warrior Family Holiday Party was hosted and sponsored by longtime supporters AutoNation and BMW of Dallas at the BMW of Dallas dealership on Lemmon Avenue. The Warriors are children battling cancer whose families join them in year-long events through the Warrior Family Program offered by WOKC.          

"AutoNation and BMW of Dallas were delighted and honored to sponsor this wonderful event again this year. Our support of WOKC's mission went hand-in-hand with opening our doors to welcome the Warriors and their families to help celebrate the joy and wonder of the holidays," said Huck Hibberd, BMW of Dallas General Manager.

As families entered the event, they were greeted by Santa Claus who invited them to join in a fun photo for the holidays. They enjoyed dinner from Jersey Mike's Subs, hot chocolate, a drive-in movie on BMW’s rooftop featuring The Polar Express, and more.

The centerpiece of the evening was the exchange of the Warrior Baskets for each child.  A Warrior Basket was a beautifully decorated basket full of multiple items from the Warrior’s individual wish list.  These wishes ranged from clothes to video games, from Air Pods to dolls, and from books to sporting goods.  Several Warriors received bicycles they requested as part of their wish list.  Siblings of every Warrior provided a wish list and received personalized presents as well. Parents also received gift cards. At the holiday party, both donors and purchasers presented the Warriors with their baskets and, in exchange, received a framed picture of the Warrior they supported.         

The Warrior Basket event was chaired by Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo, founders of the Lone Star Monarchs, who said: “Thanks to the generosity and support of friends, family, WOKC board members, Guild members and other generous contributors who championed our efforts to raise critical funds for lifesaving pediatric cancer research this holiday season, the Lone Star Monarchs were able to present a check in the amount of $26,000 to WOKC.  This donation to WOKC represents $1,000 being given in honor of each one of the 26 brave WOKC Warriors.  We applaud and admire these WOKC Warriors for their strength and courage and hope these funds will support cutting-edge research that will help save lives and one day find a cure so that pediatric cancer is no longer a threat to ANY child.  We hope that many others will join us and be inspired and encouraged by our collective efforts on behalf of WOKC to also donate and help make a difference in the lives of these beautiful children NOW!”            

In addition to presenting a check to WOKC, the Lone Star Monarchs donated The Polar Express-themed items to each of the 26 WOKC Warriors and their families to take home and enjoy for the holiday season.  They included personalized wooden round-trip tickets along with silver Christmas bells, personalized hardback copies of The Polar Express accompanied by brass tree ornaments, canisters of popcorn, and Santa baskets of sweet treats and cupcakes.
        

Aashik Khakoo, CEO, Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer said, “It was truly heartwarming to be with our Warriors and their families as they smiled and laughed and enjoyed all of the goodies, wonderful gift baskets, and treats throughout the evening. Everyone at WOKC offers our sincere thanks to AutoNation and BMW of Dallas for continuing their support of this event, to the Lone Star Monarchs for chairing, coordinating, and implementing the Warrior Gift Basket campaign, to Lynn McDonough for decorating all of the Warrior Gift Baskets, and to all of the sponsors, underwriters, and volunteers who made this event possible.”

          

Sponsors included “Believe” $5,000+: Regina Bruce and John Pickett/CAPTRUST; Dr. Carla Russo and Joe Russo/BDO USA, LLP. “Santa Claus” $2,000+: Rhonda Johnson and John Pickrell/Microsoft; Cindy and William Simmons.  “Bells of Christmas” $1,000+: Mary Bentley/IBM, Jeanne and George Lewis, Kimberly Elliott/ProStar Events, Karee Sampson, Cindi Tesseneer. “North Pole” $500+: David Andrews, Carlo Barone, Adam Bernal, Maurice Efune, Proshad Efune, M.D., Jacqueline Griffin, Laura Sanders, Libby Sanders Szabo, Ava Joy Solazzo. “Conductor” $250+: Fozi E. Bayoud, Katelyn Boone, Apsaline Douglas and Edward Douglas, Kristi Eakin Hall, Leo Rodriguez, Tiffany Taylor Wines, Tim Schutze, Mary Lynn Vaughan, Laura Worsham. Other Contributors $100+: Anonymous, Jason Spangler.          

Warrior Basket donors included: Sally Santa Anna, Cindy Brinker Simmons, Brisa Renteria, Regina Bruce, Aubrey Connatser, the Kunthear Mam-Douglas and Scott Douglas family, Jenice Dunayer, Marilyn Ellis, Sadie Gray, Tammy Harkins, Gayle Horton, Rhonda Johnson, Shane Lashley, Jeanne Lewis, Ashley McDonough, Lynn McDonough, Phillippa Nierling, Therese Rourk, Dr. Carla Russo, Karee Sampson, Susan Sanford, Tiffany Taylor Wines, Jo Tiller, Doug Wood, and Laura Worsham.
        

Wipe Out Kids' Cancer's mission is to work relentlessly for a day when cancer is no longer a threat to any child. Less than 4% of the federal budget for cancer research is dedicated to childhood cancer. Visit the website for more information about WOKC, joining the Guild to volunteer, or attending upcoming events, including the 40th Anniversary Gala on April 30, 2022, at www.wokc.org

About the WOKC Warrior Family Program: The Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Warrior Family Program is comprised of children from these DFW area hospitals with pediatric oncology units: Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Cook Children’s, and Medical City Children’s Hospital. WOKC understands that cancer affects more than the child with the cancer diagnosis. This unique program focuses on supporting the entire family unit with fun events, parties, and excursions throughout the year.

An added benefit of the Warrior Family Program is that everyone involved can spend time with other families who are facing similar circumstances. Parents have commented that these WOKC family engagement programs are medicine for their soul.

 Photos by Danny Campbell and Lisa Stewart  

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"Miss Kit Kat" with Rainbow Days clients for Holly Jolly Holidays.

Through its 2021 Holly Jolly Holiday project, Rainbow Days spread hope, cheer and holiday joy to hundreds of families experiencing homelessness in the Dallas community. Through a celebratory outdoor event hosted on the Lovers Lane United Methodist Church campus as well as deliveries to partnering service sites in the weeks afterward, over 750 infants, children, teens and parents received stockings, toys, gifts, winter coats and blankets from Rainbow Days this holiday season.

 

On Dec. 11, Rainbow Days hosted 240 children and parents from local homeless shelters, domestic violence centers and extended-stay motels for a day of holiday fun and family bonding. At the 2021 Holly Jolly Holiday event, children and parents enjoyed lunch, dessert, carnival games, arts and crafts, visits with Santa Claus, a petting zoo and holiday karaoke. Each child received a new coat and blanket as well as toys and gifts their parents personally selected for them. Finally, all members of the family — from infants to parents — received stockings filled with holiday treats, toiletries and other necessities.

 

In the weeks after the event, Rainbow Days also distributed additional stockings and gifts to 528 more children and parents living at partnering homeless-serving sites. As a whole, the 2021 Holly Jolly Holiday project benefited a total of 768 homeless children and parents who reside in local homeless and domestic violence shelters, transitional living sites and extended-stay motels.

 

Rainbow Days would like to recognize all of the wonderful individuals and groups who made Holly Jolly Holiday a success this holiday season:

 

  • Lovers Lane United Methodist Church
  • The Rees-Jones Foundation
  • Lady ADA's of the Dallas County District Attorney's Office
  • Insperity
  • Varonis
  • National Charity League
  • Young Men's Service League
  • Bank of America
  • PepsiCo / Frito-Lay
  • Toys for Tots
  • Prince of Peace Catholic Community
  • Amazon Wish List Donors
  • Plus, hundreds of individuals who supported Holly Jolly Holiday through financial gifts, in-kind donations of toys and stockings, and volunteer hours!

 

ABOUT RAINBOW DAYS: Holly Jolly Holiday is a program of Rainbow Days, a 501(c)(3) Dallas-based nonprofit organization. Founded in 1982, Rainbow Days has a mission to help children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience to create positive futures. Through support groups, camps, life enrichment programs and critical needs services, Rainbow Days makes meaningful connections with at-risk and homeless children and youth and has positively impacted more than 241,000 kids in the Dallas area to date. For more information, please visit www.RainbowDays.org or call (214) 887-0726.

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BL_Danny Campbell Photography_Pajamas For Seniors- Dr. Carla Russo, Co-Founder, Lone Star Monarchs and Gala Chair; Jo Alch, Executive Director, Pajamas for Seniors; George and Jeanne Lewis, Honorary Chairs; Regina Bruce, Co-Founder Lone Star Monarchs and Gala Chair.

Pajamas for Seniors, a local nonprofit that brings pajamas to low-income area seniors living in nursing homes, hosted their inaugural gala, A Night of Hope, presented by Ardent Healthcare at the Park City Club.
        
Chaired by Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo, with Jeanne and George Lewis as honorary chairs, the evening began with a silent auction and cocktails during the reception. Jennifer Monroe, Mistress of Ceremonies, welcomed the crowd and introduced Pastor Rickey D. Hill, Chaplain, for the invocation. After the first course Caesar salad was served, keynote speaker Stephen L. Mansfield, Ph.D., FACHE, immediate past president & CEO of Methodist Health System in Dallas, spoke about caring for seniors with compassion, saying that not only does the gift of these pajamas let them know that others are thinking of them, but also helps them psychologically. It makes them happy and feel valued.
        
As guests enjoyed a delicious main course duet of peppercorn crusted petite beef tenderloin and pan roasted Chilean sea bass with beurre blanc and wilted spinach, a touching and profound video presentation produced by Sarah Strackhouse, CEO, The Strackhouse, touched everyone’s hearts, as they embraced the mission of Pajamas for Seniors.
        
After a most delightful dessert of lavender creme brulée and deep-dish pecan pie, Carla and Regina thanked everyone for their support of the nonprofit. Regina said, “For many low-income seniors living in nursing homes or assisted living, this time of year can be especially challenging. Dr. Carla Russo and I are deeply grateful for the financial and in-kind support of our wonderful gala sponsors, donors and volunteers who provided precious resources to help bring the gift of a new pair of pajamas to thousands of area seniors. Through their generous support of Pajamas for Seniors, they demonstrated true compassion for seniors, while spreading love and giving dignity to each of them. We hope this beautiful example of kindness and generosity will inspire many others in our community to step up and follow their lead with donations of new pajamas to help make the holiday season brighter for many more sweet seniors.”
        
The chairs also made a surprise announcement that they had formed a new nonprofit organization, Lone Star Monarchs, and had secured a donation of $50,000+ of pajamas and other clothes from Jill Donovan, founder of Rustic Cuff, which will be given to Pajamas for Seniors to help further its mission.
        
Jo Alch, R.N. founder and executive director of Pajamas for Seniors, says the organization is raising awareness to the needs of seniors one pajama at a time. “Our senior population is growing and experiencing more loneliness and isolation than ever before. Sixty percent of nursing home residents have no living relatives. They have few if any visitors. As staffing demands increase one-on-one time is difficult. With roughly $2 a day allocated for basic necessities, new pajamas are often a luxury. We have made it our mission to bring this most basic comfort and support to those seniors within our reach.”
        
Underwriters and supporters joining in the event included Mark Sheets, Ardent Healthcare, Presenting Sponsor; Diamond Sponsor Jeanne and George Lewis; Gold Sponsors Cambridge Caregivers/Manchester Care Homes, Lone Star Monarchs, Cindy Brinker Simmons; Silver Sponsors Senior Living Specialists; Bronze Sponsors  CAPTRUST; BDO USA, LLP; Bugle Boy Estate Sales, Jimma Roberts, Sergio & Sheila; also attending the event were Thomas Everett, two-time Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion; John Pickett, Joe Russo, Joe Pacetti, Patricia Deason, Kunthear Mam-Douglas, David Andrews and more. Special thanks also went to Carlo Barone of Greenbar Distillery for creating the PJ-Tini, a signature cocktail for the event.
        
To find out more about Pajamas for Seniors and how you can become involved, visit the website at www.pajamasforseniors.org  

About Lone Star Monarchs:
Mission: To inspire and nurture the human spirit, as together, we build an effective network of individuals and organizations to support a broad spectrum of charitable organizations in Dallas and throughout Texas.  Lone Star Monarchs’ (LSM) purpose is exclusively educational and charitable to connect people and enrich lives. Learn more at www.LoneStarMonarchs.org
Facebook @LoneStarMonarchs  Instagram @LoneStarMonarchs

About Pajamas for Seniors:  PJFS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission: Provide new pairs of pajamas to low-income seniors in area nursing and assisted living homes. www.pajamasforseniors.org and on Facebook.  

Photos by Danny Campbell                   

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Nexus Families

Sponsor a Family or Purchase a Holiday Ornament to Benefit the Women and Children of Nexus Recovery Center

Throughout this holiday season, Nexus Recovery Center, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization specializing in substance use disorder treatments for adult women (including mothers and women with children), will serve hundreds of women and their accompanying children who are seeking sobriety on the path to recovery. 
        
Since many of the families who enter the nonprofit are starting from scratch, their mission is to ensure they are supported with the essential items they need, like a warm place to sleep, meals to eat, and clothing to wear as they embark on their recovery journey.  Supporting Nexus’ life-saving services helps the women and children receiving care have a safe and special holiday. Opportunities are now available to sponsor a Nexus family or client today.
        
In addition to supporting a Nexus family or client directly is to purchase a Nexus Holiday Ornament. But time is running by quickly, so act now.  The ornaments are a meaningful gift and special way to spread joy this holiday season. Support Nexus’ work and spread the mission one ornament at a time. Click this link to purchase ornaments in one of three sizes.
* $25 Ornament provides 1 week of diapers for 1 infant accompanying their mother into treatment.
* $50 Ornament provides therapy workbooks and curriculum supplies for 3 women in treatment.
* $75 ornament provides 1 month of hygiene products for 5 women in residential care.
        
Ornaments can be picked up from Nexus campus on Friday, December 17, 2021 between the following times: 9-10 AM, 12-1 PM, 5-6 PM. Please contact us for more information at development@nexusrecovery.org or click here to purchase.
        
Check the website for more information about Nexus Recovery Center and how you can support Holidays at Nexus at www.nexusrecovery.org.    

About Nexus Recovery Center

Founded in 1971 and based in Dallas, Texas, Nexus Recovery Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that treats the whole woman by offering an array of comprehensive services, including specialized substance use disorder treatment services, as well as therapeutic treatment and care for their accompanying children in order to restore health and encourage resilience - regardless of a woman’s ability to pay. 

Accredited by the Joint Commission since 2006, it is the only treatment center in North Texas that accepts women in the late stages of pregnancy and also allows children to accompany their mothers into treatment. Serving solely women on their journey to recovery, Nexus’ mission is to create a safe space for its clients and serve as a link to sobriety, independence, and dignity for women and their families. Nexus inspires hope, offers respect, and honors the unique differences of women through the help of a dedicated board, volunteers, staff, partners and donors. Together, Nexus Recovery Center changes families’ lives, whatever their income, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity. For more information, visit www.nexusrecovery.org

*Courtesy Photos.

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Vicki Howland, Ray Washburne, Margot Washburne, Heather Washburne, S. M. Wright II, Dulaney Howland.

Support the S. M. Wright Foundation with your contribution today!

The Announcement Party for the S.M. Wright Foundation’s 23rd Annual Christmas in the Park was hosted by Heather and Ray Washburne in the Mockingbird Room in Highland Park Village.

Joining the Washburnes was their daughter, Margot, and Vicki and Dulany Howland. Volunteering with Christmas in the Park has been a longtime family tradition for their family. Each year, they help hand out Christmas gifts and many other items to families in need at the Christmas in the Park celebration at the Automobile Building in Fair Park.

Also joining in the Announcement were Host Team members and SM’s family, his brother Calvin Wright and his mother, Debra Wright and many more. Cullum Clark is board chair.

Christmas in the Park has grown from serving fewer than 200 underprivileged children in 1998 to assisting more than 25,000 less fortunate Dallas residents in 2020. Given the current economic climate, continually rising inflation, and increasing income inequality, even more families will line up this year in hopes of receiving services from the S.M. Wright Foundation.

 As Dallas’ largest holiday charity event, Christmas in the Park can meet great needs in our city — but not without corporate and individual sponsors. Together, we can raise enough funds through this year’s event to ensure that sufficient food, clothing, toys, household items and furniture are available to those who need them most. This special event plays host to nearly 1,800 volunteers who share the holiday season with their community.

The event on Saturday, December 18, 2021 is not a gala-type of event where the community can purchase tickets to attend. This event distributes the items above to families in need who have pre-registered and is made possible by donors who fund Christmas for thousands of families in our metro area. The community can help with donations to the S.M. Wright Foundation that go directly towards Christmas in the Park.  Find out more at www.smwrightfoundation.org   or  www.christmasatfairpark.com

Host Team: S.M. Wright ll, Co-Founder; Debra Wright, Co-Founder; Calvin Wright, Co-Founder; Heather and Ray Washburne, Honorary Event Chairs; Nita and Cullum Clark, Foundation Board Chair.
        
Event Co-Chairs: Allie Beth and Pierce Allman; Julie and Darren Blanton; Deni and Kevin Bryant; Jacki and Doug Deason; Ola and Randall Fojtasek; Suzanne and Michael Grishman; Tavia and Clark Hunt; Brooke and Jeff Jackson; Natalie and Mike McGuire; Brenda and Larry North; Chris and Joe Popolo; Michael Watson; Jimmy Westcott; John Willding.

Foundation Board of Directors: Debra Wright, Founder and Chairwoman Emeritus; Cullum Clark, Board Chairman; S.M. Wright II, Co-Founder, President and CEO; Pierce Allman, Vice Chairman; Chris Lalonde, Secretary; Darren Blanton; Ernest Beecherl; Larry North; Calvin Wright; Michael Watson and John Collins, General Counsel.


About The S.M. Wright Foundation:

Mission: The S.M. Wright Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides support and stability to inner-city, underprivileged children and less fortunate families through hunger relief, educational support, health promotion, social service assistance and economic empowerment. Our goals are to move families from dependency to self-sufficiency and to restore stability to families and the community.

 About: The S.M. Wright Foundation was founded in 1998 by S.M. Wright II and this year is celebrating its 23rd year. As a visionary, CEO Wright, his family, and trusted friends established the S.M. Wright Foundation as a nonprofit organization with a mission of providing support and stability to inner city, underprivileged children and less fortunate families through hunger relief, educational support, health and social service assistance and economic empowerment. The mission of the S.M. Wright Foundation is to move these families from a position of dependency to self-sufficiency and to restore stability to families and the community.

With an organization once established to serve primarily the South Dallas Community, the S.M. Wright Foundation has seen exponential growth and has seen its clientele begin to come from all areas of the Dallas metropolis. By providing a supporting role of guidance to our clients in areas for race relations, hunger relief, community involvement and events, economic development, social assistance programs benefiting the low-social economic families, and the implementation of several new educational programs the S.M. Wright Foundation is helping build a solid foundation and a sense of pride that allows our clients to successfully transition to that position of self-sufficiency. As a result, five essential programs were developed as pillars of success to facilitate the great transition of our clients.  

The S. M. Wright Foundation helps many families in need, through its community program centers, the South Dallas Community Food Center, its South Dallas Community Resource Center, the Community Furniture Bank, the Dallas Financial Literacy and Tutoring Center, its Beds for Kids Center and the Annual Christmas at Fair Park event.  www.smwrightfoundation.org     and http://www.christmasatfairpark.com/

 

Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

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Patricia Cowlishaw, Barbara Glass, Nancy Sanders, Executive Director of Belmont Village Senior Living

Buy Your Holiday Poinsettias to benefit AWARE | Dedicated to Fighting Alzheimer’s Disease Since 1989
        

AWARE president Karisti Julia announces a very special opportunity for the community to support AWARE in its fight against Alzheimer’s disease by purchasing holiday poinsettias to benefit AWARE.
        
These high-quality poinsettias may be ordered in pink, red or white. There are two options for purchase: Priced at $25.00 each for the 6” pots and $35.00 each for 10” pots, protected with plastic sleeves. 100% of the proceeds benefit AWARE. Order online now through December 3rd at https://awareevent.kimbia.com/poinsettias  or contact Karen Koop at kckoop@swbell.net
        
AWARE is working in partnership with Belmont Village Senior Living, which is the pick-up point, located at 3535 N. Hall Street, Dallas, 75219. Pick up times are on Thursday, December 9th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on Friday, December 10th from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. If you can’t pick up your order, let AWARE know and delivery can be arranged.

        

What is AWARE? AWARE is dedicated to fighting Alzheimer's disease by providing funding and support to programs, projects, and research provided by nonprofit organizations that actively help individuals affected by Alzheimer's in Dallas and the greater North Texas area. In other words, the funds raised by AWARE stay in our local community. To learn more about AWARE, membership benefits, special events, educational programs and more, visit the website at www.AWAREDallas.org  Instagram:@awaredallas. Facebook: @awaredallas The Dallas Foundation, a 501(c)(3) publicly supported charity, is the fiscal sponsor of AWARE.