Dream Center Dallas is proud to announce their annual Back to School Drive to support Dallas children and families in need. The event will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 9 a.m. until supplies last, in the parking lot of Dream Center Dallas at 1900 S Ewing Ave in Dallas, Texas 75216. 

The Back to School Drive distributes free backpacks, school supplies and shoes to help alleviate the financial burden of purchasing school supplies. The selection of shoes will vary in sizes to fit children in Kindergarten through sixth grade. 

Games, rides, prizes and food will also be available for families during the event. If a child is present, it is free to attend and registration is not required.

For community members interested in supporting Dream Center Dallas’ Back to School Drive, opportunities are available to volunteer at the event, donate supplies or donate financially. To volunteer, please sign up here. For those that wish to donate school supplies, an Amazon wishlist is available for items to be purchased and shipped directly to Dream Center Dallas. To donate financially, please visit this link. 

“As we welcome a new school year, many families are struggling to make ends meet every single day and it is our goal to help lift the burden and be a beacon of hope for each one of them,” said Kacie Kintz, Director for Dream Center Dallas. “We're dedicated to providing the essential resources that set students up for success. Our Back to School Drive is a testament to the power of outrageous generosity and unconditional love, as our amazing volunteers and partners come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our children. We're honored to play a role in helping families during the most challenging times, and we can't wait to see the incredible things our students will achieve this year!”

The Dream Center first began in Los Angeles in 1994, serving as a resource center focused on providing support to those affected by homelessness, hunger, and lack of education through residential and community outreach programs. In 2020, Pastors Dustin and Jamie Bates established Dream Center Dallas, after partnering with LA Dream Center, in order to provide resources and services in the areas of education, homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking within Dallas. 

Dream Center Dallas is currently converting The Gospel Lighthouse Church in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, originally built in 1948, to be the hub of ministry and provide multiple outreach opportunities. Merriman Anderson Architects is the architect for the renovation.

For more information about Dream Center Dallas, visit www.dreamcenterdallas.com, or contact info@dreamcenterdallas.com.

Many parents are already considering what they need to do to prepare their children for the new school year that is just around the corner. While what they will wear and do after school is essential, ensuring they know what to do about back-to-school bullies should be at the top of every parent’s priority list. Bullies will head back to school as well, and they will be ready to start picking on kids from day one. 

"Summer is a great time to get kids ready for the new school year, including with how to win against bullies," says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. "Addressing it now will ensure the school year will be smooth and bully-free."

Over the summer, parents can do a lot to raise awareness about bullying in their home and community. Making it a priority may help reduce the incidents of bullying in school and in the community. Proactive communities can make people more aware of the issue, which can help reduce the incidents. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, a few risk factors may make people more vulnerable to being bullied. These include a kid being seen as different from their peers, being seen as weak or unable to defend themselves, having low self-esteem, being less popular, not socializing well with others, and suffering from disabilities.

Here are tips for preparing kids now for back-to-school bullies:

• Discuss bullying now. Discuss bullying, including what it is and what to do about it. Talk about thedifferent types of bullying, how to address it, and what to do if they see someone else being bullied.
• Role-play. Act out some bullying scenes with the kids so they can practice responding to them. This will help put them more at ease if the real situation ever comes up.
• Get others involved. Parents can start anti-bullying groups now, which will get more kids involved in helping to keep bullying out of the school. Kids can get together to discuss the issue and ways to respond.
• Contact the school. Most schools have staff working over the summer. Contact the child's school to inquire about having an anti-bullying campaign kick off when school starts. Help them bring in aspeaker, such as Stand for the Silent, and get together a group of kids for the anti-bullying task force.
• Teach self-defense. It’s never a good idea to encourage your child to fight, but there are some self-defense moves that they can learn to protect themselves should it get physical. Bullies tend to pick on those they feel won't stand up for themselves. Teach kids self-defense over the summer, such as enrolling them in karate. When kids are confident, they are more likely to stand up to a bully, and then the bully loses interest in that person.

“This school year, we are going to be rewarding students who help with anti-bullying at their school," added Smalley. "We want to encourage students to set the example and help create a kinder, more accepting school atmosphere.”

Stand for the Silent is launching a program called Student Stand Out this school year. Teachers can nominate students who they feel stand out by being kind, addressing bullying, being a positive role model, having good leadership, having respect and integrity, and demonstrating actions that show initiative to end bullying at the school. Each week through the school year, one nominee will be chosen to receive a $50 Visa gift card, and at the end of each semester, one person will be selected to win a $100 gift card. Thenomination period runs from August 1 to December 1 and then from January 1 to April 1. For more information about the program, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/schools/standout

Stand for the Silent travels the country, providing seminars and talks for communities and schools. They also offer helpful materials online to help people with bullying issues. Each year, they also give scholarships to students who help address bullying at their schools. To get more information on how to have theorganization do a presentation or how to start a local chapter, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/

Smalley and his wife, Laura, started the organization following their 11-year-old son, ending his own life due to bullying. They turned their pain and loss into a mission of helping others. He travels the country giving presentations about bullying to schools, providing bullying prevention, giving out scholarships, offering intervention strategies, and more. Those interested in getting involved can start a chapter of the group in their area, obtain a free K-2 bullying prevention curriculum or cyberbullying handbook for parents, host apresentation at their school, introduce the How All Started video, and donate to help support the cause. To get more information, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/

Do you remember the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that swept the nation? The challenge inspired more than 17 million people worldwide and raised more than $115 million for ALS a decade ago.

Southlake resident Ashley Burnett is raising awareness and funds for ALS research in honor of her dad, Todd, who is currently fighting this disease. Hawaiian Falls Roanoke hosted the 2024 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Monday, July 15 at the wave pool. One of Todd’s best friends is San Francisco 49ers Superbowl Champion tight end Brent Jones, who was in attendance in support of Todd and those fighting ALS. 

“One year ago, my dad was diagnosed with ALS,” said Ashley. “I wanted to do something to help raise money and awareness in the fight against this awful disease. July 15 is the official 10-year anniversary of the original Ice Bucket Challenge that raised more than one hundred million dollars. I had an idea to gather a bunch of people and do a big Ice Bucket Challenge in honor of both my dad and the anniversary. Texas is so hot in July, so I wanted to do the event at the water park. I am so grateful that Hawaiian Falls jumped on board to partner with me in throwing this awesome fundraiser. With a disease that is full of the unknown and often feels so hopeless, raising money through this event gives my family back a little bit of that hope.”

Guests who donated $15 received their own ice bucket as well as a free Hawaiian Falls ticket. The person with the highest donation received a complimentary cabana rental for the day and four Hawaiian Falls season passes. People can donate to ALS on the website at ALS.org.                

Hawaiian Falls waterparks are located in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco. More information about special events, operating hours, directions, tickets and season passes, are at hfalls.com.

Pickleball is the sport on everyone's mind, that everyone is discussing and trying. Those who haven't picked up a racket to step out on the court and give it a shot are thinking about it and will soon make their mark. This fast-growing court sport is sweeping the nation, and people will either join the movement or watch it pass them by.

“Anyone who has ever grown-up loving court sports or playing sports in general is going to love pickleball,” says Ashley Rose, co-founder of Volée, a company that has a passion for court sports such as pickleball, tennis, and padel offering bags, apparel, and accessories for the games. “Not only is it a great way to meet new friends and stay active, but it also fosters a sense of community by bringing people together.” 

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America for the third year in a row. The interest in it is spreading rapidly, with a growth of over 51% from 2022 to 2023, and it has grown over 223% in the last five years. Across the country, neighborhoods are coming together to play, communities are organizing tournaments, and facilities are being built specifically for pickleball. For example, one of the largest pickleball centers in Florida opened in the Daytona Beach area in 2020, and they recently held the 2024 AARP U.S. Champions Cup.  

In a newspaper archived in the Library of Congress from 1976, the writer shares how pickleball is sweeping the nation. They report that it is a sport of its own, created by three neighbors, including Congressman Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell, who invented the game on a summer afternoon in Brainbridge Island, Washington. They quickly developed the rules and original purpose, which was to provide a game that the whole family could play together. The name they gave it, the article reports, is attributed to Pritchard’s dog, named Pickles, who liked to chase the balls, so it became known as Pickles’ ball. 

Here’s what people need to know about pickleball, the fastest-growing court sport:

• The court used for pickleball is the same size as a court used for doubles badminton. It is striped like a tennis court, and the net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle.
• Originally invented in 1965 by three dads seeking an alternative to their usual summer games, pickleball has since evolved to feature specialized courts, equipment, accessories and apparel designed specifically for the sport.
• Wearing the proper clothing and using the right gear can significantly enhance comfort, freedom of movement, and overall performance on the court. The right equipment is also crucial for keeping items organized, protected, and stylish. Volée has developed a dedicated line of products specifically for pickleball and other court sports, including bags, apparel, and accessories. Their bags feature pockets for paddles, shoe garages for quick changes, and a fashionable range of pickleball paddle covers, among other items.
• Anyone, and at almost any age, can get started playing pickleball. Begin by finding a local group that plays the sport; most are very welcoming to new players. Ensure you have the right equipment, including a paddle, paddle cover, balls (plastic ball similar to a whiffle ball but with holes sized for indoor or outdoor play), proper shoes, and comfortable clothing. Watching a few online videos to understand the rules and see the game in action can also be very helpful.
• Have fun with it, and be patient as you learn and improve your game. Pickleball is not only a fun sport that creates good memories, allows for healthy physical activity, and is a great way to meet new people, but it's also an opportunity to have fun with fashion. Enjoy playing while looking stylish inVolée's clothes and accessories, adding a touch of flair to your game.

“I’ve always loved court sports and since playing pickleball I have met some amazing new friends,” says Kasey Martin, co-founder of Volée. “It's a game that creates multigenerational bonds. People of all ages and backgrounds can get together and enjoy it. A game that unites us, and we need that. Let our products help you make your mark!”

Volée was founded in Newport Beach, California., by three best friends, Kristin Leffel, Ashley Rose, and Kasey Martin. They created a sports luxe lifestyle line of items made for the court and the country club.Volée serves up the retro vibe of California, featuring a premium athletic lifestyle collection of apparel, bags, and accessories, including stylish pickleball paddle covers and crossbody pickleball bags. 

Some of the newest products in the collection include:

• Volée Signature Premium Crossbody Bag: Available in two classic hues, silver, and navy, this bag features a quilted design with vegan leather handles and a high-quality striped nylon detachable crossbody strap.
• Volée Signature Premium Weekender Bag: This sleek modern duffle, available in silver or navy, features multiple compartments, including a water bottle holder, travel luggage sleeve, shoe garage, or computer sleeve. 
• Volée Signature Premium Paddle Cover: This versatile and stylish paddle cover serves two purposes: providing traditional protection for your pickleball paddle against dings, dirt, and scratches or transforming into a chic crossbody accessory. It is available in quilted silver with a patterned pink palm tree stripe or flat navy with an Ace of Spades fashion stripe. 
• Volée Signature Windbreaker: This lightweight cropped windbreaker, offered in white and navy, features a drawstring hood, zippered pockets, and elastic bindings.
• Volée Signature Accessories: These include the V-Star Hat (offered in white with a navy or pink logo) and V-Star Wristbands, which add a cool factor to any on-court look.

To get more information and shop the line, visit the site at: https://thevolee.com/.

The Texas Super Kings are excited to invite fans to experience the thrill of cricket and meet players at the Texas Super Kings Carnival on Saturday, June 20, from 6-10 pm at Little Elm Park, located at 701 W. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm, TX.

The carnival is an opportunity for both seasoned cricket enthusiasts and those new to the sport to meet their favorite Texas Super Kings stars at signing sessions, enjoy food and treats from local vendors, groove to tunes from a live DJ, and compete in cricket and carnival games.

Don't miss your Texas Super Kings in action in the second season of Major League Cricket through July 28 at Grand Prairie Stadium. Purchase tickets by visiting tickets.majorleaguecricket.com.