Local organizations and businesses are invited to host a coat drive and share the warmth with those in need this winter

Joseph’s Coat, a program of The Storehouse Community Center that provides clothing at no cost, is asking the community for donations of new and gently used winter coats and jackets for all ages. Last year Joseph’s Coat distributed 1,829 coats to men, women, and children.

“As hot as it has been this past summer, it’s hard to believe we will all need winter coats soon, but that time is just around the corner,” said Christi Ferrell, co-director, Joseph’s Coat. “For many families, paying bills, putting food on the table, and supplying other critical needs take priority over purchasing coats, which are essential clothing needed for warmth and wellness. Additionally, warm coats provide confidence and self-worth, especially for children, enabling them to attend school, wait at the bus stop and engage in outdoor activities. The impact of a coat is much greater than many of us may realize.”

The Storehouse invites local businesses and organizations, groups, or clubs to consider hosting a coat drive.

“Volunteers and community members often ask if there are some specific ways they can help, and conducting a coat drive is a wonderful way to make an impact this season,” said Susan Gradick, co-director, Joseph’s Coat. “Many of us likely have a coat or two at home that is no longer worn that could be enjoyed by someone in need! Joseph’s Coat also welcomes monetary donations for purchasing coats needed to accommodate varying sizes and ages. Since our founding in 2009, Joseph’s Coat depends on the generous donations of our community, which enable us to serve our neighbors each week at no cost.”

Donations may be dropped off at the Joseph’s Coat shed, which is open 24 hours, seven days a week, at The Storehouse, located at 1401 Mira Vista Blvd., in the north parking lot. For large donations or anyone needing unloading assistance, clothing closet staff are onsite sorting items and can assist you on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

For anyone interested in volunteering at Joseph’s Coat, please sign up at https://www.thestorehousecc.org/volunteer. For anyone needing clothing, Joseph’s Coat is open on Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment only.

"Time and time again, neighbors express how Joseph’s Coat clothing closet impacts their lives,” added Gradick. “Recently we helped an older gentleman find a jacket, and he exclaimed, ‘It’s like this jacket was made just for me.’ He shared that money was tight and Joseph’s Coat helped him to stretch his budget. Children outgrow clothing and wear things that no longer fit, or they do without. Your gifts of clothing are such a blessing, helping others feel good about themselves and go forward with confidence. So please take a look in your closet or think about conducting a coat drive with your business. Your generosity means everything to those we serve.”

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The Storehouse Community Center (formerly The Storehouse of Collin County) is a nonprofit founded in 2009 that provides short-term help and long-term transformation to residents in North Texas through a pathway of programs. Seven Loaves Food Pantry serves around 5,000 families each month; Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet provides clothing at no cost; Project Hope Neighbor Care offers case management and resource referral; and The Academy Education Program provides free and reduced-cost classes to assist with language, job, and life skills development as well as job partnership opportunities, connecting neighbors to stable, high-quality employment. During its previous fiscal year, The Storehouse served 182,000 unduplicated neighbors with the support of more than 2,000 volunteers. In August 2023, the North Texas Food Bank honored The Storehouse with the Hope for Tomorrow Award, and in September 2023, The Storehouse was named a Dallas Morning News Charity. Visit www.thestorehousecc.org. The Storehouse EIN: 27-1883333

Puttshack is thrilled to announce its partnership with One Warm Coat, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing free coats to children and adults in need. This collaboration kicks off on October 8, National Share the Warmth Day, and runs until October 29.

Each Puttshack venue will host a coat drive during this period, inviting guests to donate new or gently worn coats that will be distributed directly to a local nonprofit. As a token of appreciation, every donation—regardless of the number of items—will earn contributors a free game card redeemable at any Puttshack location.

Details about the local nonprofits benefiting from this initiative will be shared soon, so be sure to stay tuned on Puttshack’s website and social media channels for updates.

Beth Amodio, President & CEO of One Warm Coat, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "One Warm Coat is thrilled to be teaming up with Puttshack locations nationwide to share warmth with children and adults in need in their local communities."

Alison Schulman, Puttshack's VP of Marketing, added, "Caring Deeply is one of our company values that we live every day, and One Warm Coat is the perfect organization to connect with for this giving season. It’s important to give directly to the communities that we live and work in, and we hope that getting coats to those who need them will make a significant impact. We invite everyone to our venues to donate coats, and as a thank you, we’ll provide a free game card."

In addition to coat donations, guests will also have the option to make financial contributions to One Warm Coat through their "Donate Now" platform. Every dollar donated helps provide warmth to one person in need.

One Warm Coat is a national nonprofit that has been providing free coats to children and adults in need for over 32 years. With a network of 1,500 local nonprofit organizations across all 50 states, One Warm Coat has facilitated the collection of over 8 million coats through community-driven coat drives. The organization also emphasizes fashion circularity and reducing textile waste, helping keep millions of pounds of textiles out of landfills each year.

To learn more about how you can support this initiative and team up with One Warm Coat to share warmth, visit onewarmcoat.org today.

The Texas vs. OU Red River Rivalry is here! If you’re skipping the crowds at the Cotton Bowl, you’re invited to Galaxy Theatres Grandscape for a decked out watch party of this year’s matchup.

Cheer on the Sooners or hook ‘em horns this Saturday, October 12, at 2:30 PM. One side of Galaxy Theatres Grandscape’s largest theater will be decked out in burnt orange while the other shines crimson!

$10 Tickets are available for purchase to reserve your spot today:

• One watch party ticket 

• $10 credit to concessions of your choice

• Decorated theater perfect for photo ops 

Concessions include movie theater favorites like popcorn, sodas, nachos and candy - and of course, gametime favorites like local beers on draft. Enjoy the game from the comfort of a luxury reclining seat, friendly service, clean bathrooms, and best of all, no State Fair of Texas crowds!

Tickets to Friday’s watch party are available here.

The check was presented as part of CAPTRUST Community Foundation’s Fifth Annual Giving Day

 The CAPTRUST Community Foundation (CCF) Dallas locations (Sherry Lane and Dallas Parkway) gifted $10,000 to Scottish Rite for Children as part of CCF’s $10,000 donations to 75 charities across the country, totaling $750,000, as part of the nonprofit’s fifth annual Giving Day.

CAPTRUST Dallas representatives John Pickett, Barry Beal, Tom Gile, Kelly Pattillo and Travis Whitten. joined together for the check presentation along with Robert L. “Bob” Walker, President & CEO, Scottish Rite for Children, Mark Riordan and Stephanie Brigger, also of Scottish Rite.

John Pickett, Senior Vice President, CAPTRUST Dallas said, “CCF’s Giving Day is our way of giving a face to our mission to enrich the lives of children in the communities we serve.  We are proud to partner with Scottish Rite for Children to help its young patients receive the very best care with orthopedic conditions and learning disorders.” In addition to the $10,000, CAPTRUST Dallas donated LEGOs, puzzles and 50 backpacks filled with crayons, coloring books and other art supplies. 
    

The CCF is CAPTRUST’s 501(c)(3) foundation, with the mission of enriching the lives of children in the local communities that CAPTRUST serves. For this campaign, CAPTRUST offices identified local organizations representing causes that both benefit children and are important to the respective community.
    

Founded in 2007, the foundation has awarded over $6.25 million in grants to charitable organizations across the country that help children. The CCF’s main source of fundraising is through voluntary employee payroll deductions that are matched by CAPTRUST.

About the CAPTRUST Community Foundation
The CAPTRUST Community Foundation was organized in 2007 to provide CAPTRUST employees with opportunities to participate as a group in community outreach efforts. The foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charity and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. If you would like to donate or learn more about the CAPTRUST Community Foundation, please call 855.649.0943.

About CAPTRUST
CAPTRUST was founded in 1997 as an independent registered investment advisor. The firm provides investment management, financial planning, estate planning, and tax advisory and compliance services for individuals and families. The firm also offers a comprehensive suite of services for ultra-high-net-worth individuals to simplify their financial lives, mitigate risk, and perpetuate their legacies. For retirement plan sponsors, endowments, foundations, and religious entities, CAPTRUST offers investment advisory services, fiduciary support, plan design, provider analysis and fee benchmarking, and employee advice programs.

About Scottish Rite for Children
Scottish Rite for Children is a world-renowned leader in the treatment of orthopedic conditions, such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand differences, hip disorders, sports injuries and fractures, as well as certain related arthritic and neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Visit www.scottishriteforchildren.org  to learn more.

Photo credit: Scottish Rite for Children

Nonprofit raises $1.1M at extraordinary luncheon deepening the awareness of human trafficking, recognizing supporters and programs, sharing voices of survivors, and honoring ProtectHER Awardees

Over 1,200 guests joined New Friends New Life (NFNL) on Sept. 20 at the OMNI Dallas Hotel for a memorable luncheon, raising $1.1 million to benefit the nonprofit’s mission to restore and empower trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and to drive awareness of this issue and its prevalence.  The luncheon featured a conversation with power couple Camila and Matthew McConaughey, whose conversation moderated by NBC 5’s Meredith Land, ranged from their love of Texas to the work of their just keep livin Foundation, support of Uvalde, their New York Times bestselling books, and passion for University of Texas Longhorn football. Prior to leaving the stage, the couple offered a surprise $100,000 fundraising match, which they led auction-style, resulting in a fast and furious audience match of $100,000. 

“Camila and Matthew McConaughey exceeded our highest hopes as keynote speakers through their humility, passion, and kindness,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, NFNL. “We could not be more grateful for their support and for their unscripted call to action! In that one surreal moment, The McConaugheys reminded us that when we show up for survivors, our community shows up for us.”

The luncheon kicked off to the music of Sapphire Strings and greetings from luncheon Co-Chairs JoJo Fleiss and Lisa Rocchio, who recognized luncheon Honorary Co-Chairs Robin and Norm Bagwell for their longtime commitment to the work of NFNL. Rocchio shared that while attending the 2023 NFNL Luncheon, she was shocked to hear the statistics of sex trafficking in Dallas and brought her neighbor Fleiss on a  NFNL bus tour led by the Men’s Advocacy Group, demonstrating the prevalence of sex trafficking in this community. Both immediately knew they wanted to become more involved.

Pastor Bryan Carter, Concord Church, led the opening prayer, followed by recognition of this year’s ProtectHER Award recipients: Southwest Airlines and Young Men’s Service League (YMSL), shining examples of organizations that support the protection and value of women and girls in the community. NFNL Chief Development Officer Priya Murphy introduced a video about this year’s recipients, sponsored by Thomson Reuters. Accepting the awards were YMSL President, CEO and Founder Pam Rosener and Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility for Southwest Airlines Laura Nieto.

A video about the Liberty Street Garden, a partnership of NFNL, the Meadows Foundation, and Bonton Farms, highlighted an important next step in the journey of restoring and empowering survivors. The garden not only provides income but also work experience in a healing environment, helping to prepare those served by NFNL for future employment.

Following a series of audio testimonials from survivors, NFNL CEO Bianca Davis highlighted the prevalent sense of hope, healing, growth, and gratitude throughout the nonprofit’s hallways, coupled with the knowledge that members, and the staff that serves them, are dealing with significant trauma. She then shifted to the main takeaways of her address.

“I want you to walk away from today knowing two things,” continued Davis. “First, human trafficking is big business. By using force, fraud and coercion, traffickers are profiting $350 billion globally selling human beings for sex or labor, leaving an estimated 50 million victims in their wake. Texas ranks second in the nation for the highest number of human trafficking victims, and here in North Texas, sex trafficking is a $99 million industry. Women and girls are the prime target, and the average age of a girl sold in the sex trade is 15. Secondly, those who fall victim are not trapped in this illegal industry by choice. No one signs up for the physical abuse, sexual assault, emotional trauma, financial bondage, shame, criminal record or lack of access to education or gainful employment. NFNL is working to strengthen the most vulnerable by removing barriers to education and economic opportunities. In addition to our Liberty Street Garden, we have an onsite legal advocacy clinic and recently opened an onsite learning academy where women are being prepared to pass their GED exams,” which generated a supportive round of applause.

Davis encouraged the audience to join the fight and thanked all for taking a Stand for Her. To the audience’s delight she then led her introduction of the McConaugheys with, “Alright, Alright, Alright!”

Meredith Land kicked off the conversation summarizing all the places the duo had been spotted lately and welcoming them to Dallas. She asked about their move to Texas, which was a decision they agreed was not hard and decided while sitting at a red light. Growing up in Brazil in a family of farmers and ranchers, Camila said the values in Texas were much the same, including saying, “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir,” and Matthew still has family in the state.

Regarding their just keep livin Foundation, Matthew highlighted the foundation’s after-school curriculum, which helps students meet physical goals, nutritional goals, and includes community service – something Matthew didn’t think would be popular, but “that’s what gives them ownership – where they are not just receiving.” Moving on to his New York Times bestseller Greenlights,Matthew shared how “it’s inevitable that you are going to get red lights in your life – something that stops us in our tracks. Sometimes you need to be stopped.  It’s like an intervention. The idea of the book is that all red lights do eventually turn green.  Yellow lights give us a choice – do we slow down or go fast? Sometimes we look for drama where it doesn’t exist.”

Meredith then asked Camila about her background and her New York Times bestseller, Just Try One Bite. Camila shared how every mother can likely relate. She grew up in Brazil in a family of farmers, where her relationship with food started. She watched her grandmother making butter and the family cooking over a wood fire. “In the journey of my life I was forced to go back to my roots … what we cook and eat and how it’s all connected.” She shared how it’s important for a child to see how something grows and what it takes to get food from farm to table, a process that fosters a sense of gratitude. “The sooner people learn and understand, the sooner they take ownership of their own lives and health.”

Camila then discussed, Women of Today, a community-based website she formed to give women a chance to share with each other and learn from each other. Matthew then asked her to share what she said about women in Texas. “Women in Texas show up, and their word is very important. 

The conversation shifted to the tragedy in Uvalde, Matthew’s hometown. He recounted the moment they decided they would go – they would show up and listen. They spent a few days visiting with families and decided to bring their children down. Their purpose was to help however needed. “Families trusted us, bringing us into intimate moments.” This led them to D.C. where the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was signed, and then to the creation of the McConaugheys’ Greenlight Grants Initiative to help school districts nationwide access the billions of dollars of available federal funding to create safer school environments and ensure the well-being of children.

Regarding the event’s cause, Meredith highlighted the PSA Matthew participated in with the Texas attorney general about human trafficking, asking both to comment. Camila shared growing up in Brazil, she was made very aware of the potential danger. “When I moved here at 15, I thought I didn’t have to look over my shoulder, but now I’m having this conversation with my kids. Something really has to be done.”  Matthew added, “We have to realize that everyone needs to look out for one another with a keen eye before we can depend on law enforcement. It’s right here in our backyard. It’s an ugly scar.”

Closing with Matthew’s passion for UT football…  “We’re doing really well! I believe this team is still playing against how great they can be, and if they keep doing that, they are going to maintain the edge.”

Before leaving the stage, Matthew turned to Camila to share an idea that she had when they heard NFNL was $140,000 short of their goal. She asked if anyone “would like to match Matt and I up to $100,000.” The ballroom lights came on, and guests responded to the McConaugheys’ challenge with donations large and small to meet the goal and help further the life-changing work of NFNL.

Luncheon attendees included Anita Arnold, Kathy Crow, Linda Custard, Jennifer Gates, Michelle Grimes, Nancy Ann Hunt, Tonya and Charlie McKinney, Peter M. Miller, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Christa Sanford, Kit Sawers, Gail and Dr. Gerald Turner, Jessica Turner-Waugh, Stephanie Wilcox, Vickie Yakunin, Council Member Gay Donnell Willis and Commissioner Elba Garcia.

Media sponsors were NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 and PaperCity magazine.

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About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. The agency’s vision is to create a community where women and girls can soar above the limits of their past and achieve their dreams. In 2023, NFNL served 328 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of sex trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, the YRC has served more than 550 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. In 2024, D CEO Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards honored NFNL as “Organization of the Year” (midsize category). For more information, visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org.