Mary Kay Inc., The Mary Kay Foundation^SM and Tootsies celebrated the 8^th annual Suits for Shelters with a “Think Pink Launch Party” on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Hosts Maleiah and Ryan Rogers were joined by 200 partygoers wearing the evening’s signature color, pink.  As guests arrived at Tootsies with their new and gently used women’s professional attire, shoes and accessories for local domestic violence shelters. Tootsies generously rewarded each donor with a $25 gift card as a “thank you.”

As attendees perused the store’s fashions and accessories, including jewelry by guest designer Claudia Labao, they sipped pink champagne and enjoyed light bites from Ford’s Kitchen Catering, including bacon wrapped stuffed dates, artichoke spinach goat cheese empanadas, watermelon feta appetizer and charcuterie boards. 

New this year, Mystery Boxes, featuring prizes themed around food, fashion, fitness and fun, were available for purchase for $100, $200 and $300 with all proceeds benefiting The Mary Kay Foundation^SM.  The Suits for Shelter raffle was also back, with three prizes:  light bites for your next event up to 25 guests donated by Ford’s Kitchen Catering; a Tootsies VIP Experience with a styling session for the winner and 4 guests complete with $900 in gift cards; and a $5,000 contribution in the winner’s name to the domestic violence shelter of their choice, donated by Maleiah and Ryan Rogers.

At the appointed time, partygoers proceeded to Tootsies’ second floor for the “Think Pink” style show.  Ryan Rogers, Chief Investment Officer for Mary Kay Inc., welcomed everyone and thanked them for their attendance and for supporting the eighth annual Suits for Shelters.   He also recognized Suits for Shelters ongoing partners, Tootsies, media partner WFAA-TV and sponsor Tolleson Wealth Management.

Rogers also imparted some of the history behind The Mary Kay Foundation^SM‘s mission and their ongoing efforts to prevent domestic violence.  He shared that a key component of ending the cycle of abuse, is helping a survivor along their recovery secure employment and financial independence.  The generous donations of professional clothing and accessories during the Suits for Shelters drive truly impact the lives of domestic violence survivors served by the Foundation’s beneficiaries.

Rogers then reminded guests that raffle tickets were still on sale with winners announced immediately following the upcoming fashion show. Kirsten Gappelberg, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability for Mary Kay, Inc. followed with additional announcements and a reminder to all to bring their donations to Tootsies through August 6.

Tootsies store director Nerissa von Helpenstill took the podium to extend her gratitude to Mary Kay and The Mary Kay Foundation^SM before introducing the evening’s emcee, WFAA-TV’s Cynthia Izaguirre.  The fashion show then began with fabulous summer looks modeled by Alexa Conomos – WFAA-TV; Charlotte Huffman – WFAA-TV; Kellie Rasberry – The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show; Evelyn Earl - Attitudes and Attire; Roze Kluttz – Battered Women’s Foundation; Tina Strand – Brighter Tomorrows; Alicia Froidl – Denton County Friends of the Family; Karis Renee – Dress for Success; Tamika Jackson – Genesis Women’s Shelter; Megan Rutherford – Hope’s Door; Marci Burns – Mary Kay; Morgan Calhoun – Mary Kay; Lisa Petty – Mary Kay; McKenzie Hoopfer – Mosaic Family Services; Rhonda Aicklen – New Beginning Center; Dakota Hart – Safe Haven of Tarrant County; Vicki Wheaton – Salvation Army and Ericka Johnson – The Family Place.

Gappelberg returned to the podium to announce the winners of the raffle prizes, including the grand prize winner, Esmeralda Rodriguez, who selected the non-profit organization Brighter Tomorrows, where she serves on the board, as the beneficiary of a $5,000 donation in her name.  

As guests departed they were gifted an organza bag filled with full-size Mary Kay After Sun Replenishing Gel, SPF 50 Sunscreen and SPF15 Lip Protector Sunscreen.

Since 2009 the Suits for Shelters program has donated more than 15,000 professional items to local domestic violence shelters. Through August 6^th, any Tootsies shopper who brings in a donation will receive a $25 gift certificate.  Tootsies is located in Plaza at Preston Center at 8300 Preston Road, Suite 200, Dallas, Texas 75225; store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The Mary Kay Foundation^SM was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. The Mary Kay Foundation^SM has awarded nearly $41 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $25 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation^SM, please visit www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).  

Community Partners of Dallas announces its 23^rd annual Back to School Drive, benefiting abused and neglected children in Dallas County. Now through August 19, CPD along with individuals, organizations and businesses throughout Dallas will collect new school supplies and will prepare nearly 3000 children to start school with school supplies and uniforms.

This year’s drive got off to an exciting start with a donation over 1,400 backpacks filled with school supplies, donated by attendees at the 88th Annual Texas FFA Convention.   On Wednesday, July 13, Texas Commissioner of Education, Mike Morath, and Kaylynn When, state vice president of Texas FFA, presented the unprecedented number of backpacks to Paige McDaniel, president and CEO of Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) and Corinne Karp, corporate relations director for CPD.

“This is the largest single donation of filled backpacks in our agency’s history, and we are so grateful to the members of Texas FFA for their generosity,” remarked McDaniel.  “Now we hope the Dallas community will join in to help us reach of our goal of providing backpacks filled with age appropriate school supplies and new school uniforms to 3000 children this year, ensuring that the abused and neglected children we serve have everything they need to thrive in their new classrooms,” said McDaniel.  

In addition to supplies, such as 3-ring binders, colored pencils, glue bottles, markers, and construction paper, CPD especially needs backpacks, calculators, pink erasers, manila paper, compasses, Kleenexes and pencil pouches. Donations can be dropped off at CPD’s Central Location, 1215 Skiles Street in the Wilson Historic District in Dallas through August 19.

For a full list of school supplies needed, visit www.communitypartnersdallas.org or contact Corinne Karp at 214-624-7588.

Save the date of Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. for the 10^th Annual Change is Good, where kids collect change to change the lives of abused and neglected kids.  Lindsay and Ray Ballotta with children Caroline and William will serve as chair family, with Larence and Beth Park as honorary grandparents, for the annual fundraiser benefiting Community Partners of Dallas.

Participating children and teens will begin collecting change over the summer by emptying their own piggy banks, going door to door, setting up lemonade stands or starting their own online campaign.   All collections will be turned in at the event in exchange for chances to win exciting prizes.

Held at Brook Hollow Golf Club, the fun-filled day will feature activities for all ages, including bungee jumping, prince/princess station, paper airplane zone, giant Jenga and Twister, GameTruck, Rad Hatter, balloon artist, face painting, bounce houses, a DJ dance party and an array of fun birthday activities to celebrate Change is Good turning 10.

Sponsorships begin at $550 and are on sale now; tickets are $75 per adult and $30 per child and will be available on August 26.  For more information visit communitypartnersdallas.org.

Since 1989, Community Partners of Dallas has ensured safety and restored dignity and hope to abused and neglected children by providing crucial resources and support to the caseworkers of Dallas County Child Protective Services.  Community Partners of Dallas provides items, such as winter coats, diapers and formula, holiday gifts, school uniforms, personal hygiene products, food and more, to send the abused children in our community the message that someone does care.  Please visit www.communitypartnersdallas.org for more information.

The Nature Conservancy in Texas announces $298,000 was raised at their annual fundraiser, the Dallas Spring Party, heldon Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.     

Honorary chairs Jane and Pat Bolin were joined by 286 guests for A Brush with Nature: Alex Beard’s Adventures in Art, Travel and Conservation, which began with a reception at 6:00 p.m. outside on the Ginsburg Plaza. As musician “Red” performed, partygoers mingled over cocktails, including the evening’s signature cocktail, Coastal Breeze, and hors d’oeuvres while getting a sneak peek at artist Alex Beard’s original art work on display, which was up for bidding for one lucky winner.  A reception highpoint were the wild birds brought by Window to the Wild co-founders Lindsey and Simon McNeny including a great horned owl, screech owl, kestrel and Harris’s hawk.

At the appointed time, attendees progressed into Rosine Hall for the seated dinner.  Dining tables were dressed with linens in the evening’s signature color, green, with centerpieces of paint cans filled with hydrangeas and accented with paint brushes in honor of the evening’s theme, “A Brush with Nature.”  Guests began a salad course of shingled red and gold heirloom tomatoes, organic field greens, and asparagus spears with champagne vinaigrette, while viewing a short video highlighting the Conservancy’s work.  Laura Huffman, state director of The Nature Conservancy in Texas, followed with a brief welcome, a thank you to all in attendance and an update on conservation in Texas.

Dinner resumed with an entrée of tenderloin with wild mushroom demi-glace, sautéed tiger shrimp with lemon beurre blanc, whipped potatoes, roasted root vegetables and warm rolls, followed by a dessert trio of mini molten chocolate cake with bing cherry, mini crème brulee ginger cookie and a lemon bar. 

As guests finished their dessert, Ms. Huffman returned to introduce guest speaker, Alex Beard, painter and illustrator, adventurer, best-selling author, world traveler, filmmaker and animal conservationist.  Beard captivated the audience with stories of his upbringing in New York and experiences with his uncle Peter Beard, the acclaimed wildlife photographer and conservationist, and his mother, Patricia Beard, an accomplished author and magazine editor, who both encouraged his interest in art and nature.

Utilizing photographs from his early travels as a youth in Africa to his travels today throughout the world, Beard shared his long-standing interest in conservation which inspired not only his work, but also his current efforts in conservation through his own foundation, The Watering Hole Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting endangered wildlife and the environments in which they live. 

From his love of nature, Beard began drawing and painting at an early age, telling the crowd about creating his first drawing meant for a frame at the age of seven. He has that work framed in his studio today.  As the creator of a unique method of painting called “abstract naturalism,” Beard spoke about his work as a combination of abstract expressionism and naturalist environmental art.  As an example of his style, Beard’s Moonrise Over the Roosting Tree, which he had created exclusively for the evening, was displayed at the front of the room.  Beard encouraged all to bid, with proceeds benefiting The Nature Conservancy in Texas and The Watering Hole Foundation. 

Beard then answered questions from the audience, which included inquiries about his art work and the inspiration behind each piece, his recent travels and interest in conservation, and the current conservation efforts of his foundation. 

Following remarks, patrons returned to the Ginsburg Plaza for post-dinner cocktails featuring music by “Red.”  As guests departed, they received cookies frosted with the Dallas Spring Party logo.

Dallas Spring Party attendees included, honorary chairs Jane and Pat Bolin; Laura Huffman, state director, The Nature Conservancy in Texas; Lyda Hill; Emily and David Corrigan; Peggy Dear; Suzanne and David Holl; State Senator Don Huffines and Mary Catherine Huffines; Trisha Wilson and Jeb Terry; Jeanne and Berry Cox; Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison; Ann and Matt Schooler; and Vera and Bob Thornton.

Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Chick Lit Luncheon presented by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel, on Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Hilton Anatole.  With record-breaking attendance of over 1100 attendees, the annual fundraiser, benefiting CPD, featured keynote speaker Tim Gunn, best selling author andEmmy-winning co-host and mentor of Lifetime’s Project Runway.

The celebration began on the evening of Thursday, March 31 at a reception hosted by Forty Five Ten and honorary chair Brian Bolke.  Over 100 Chick Lit Luncheon sponsors and supporters, including Kristi Hoyl, Chick Lit Luncheon chair, mingled over cocktails and light bites as they shopped Forty Five Ten’s beautiful collections, with 10% of sales benefiting CPD.   Luncheon keynote speaker Tim Gunn quietly arrived and immediately immersed himself in the crowd, greeting patrons and posing for photos.  

Paige McDaniel, president and CEO of Community Partners of Dallas, gathered the crowd in the boutique’s “T Room” to thank the evening’s host and to recognize the many sponsors in attendance, before welcoming Mr. Gunn to Dallas.  She then shared a client story with the crowd, highlighting the importance of all the funds raised by the Chick Lit Luncheon.

On Friday, April 1, attendees arrived for a pre-luncheon reception in the Anatole’s Atrium, while select sponsors were treated to a special VIP reception with Mr. Gunn in a nearby ballroom.  At the appointed time, luncheon-goers moved upstairs to the Imperial Ballroom for the much-anticipated luncheon. 

As guests took their seats, chairman Kristi Hoyl welcomed everyone and thanked them for their support of the tenth annual Chick Lit Luncheon.  Reverend Elizabeth Moseley followed with the invocation, before luncheon-goers enjoyed a delicious lunch of Mediterranean chicken salad featuring sliced grilled breast of chicken, red and yellow grape tomatoes, orzo with artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, currants and capers and lemon Dijon vinaigrette with fresh basil.

CPD president and CEO, Paige McDaniel then took the stage as the attendees enjoyed their dessert of  a “Happy Birthday” strawberry cupcake with berry gelee and fresh berries.  Ms. McDaniel added her thanks to all for ten years of the Chick Lit Luncheon and for their ongoing support as CPD celebrates 27 years of helping hundreds of thousands of abused and neglected children. 

She credited the luncheon’s success to the hard work of chair Kristi Hoyl, honorary chair Brian Bolke and underwriting co-chairs Cindy Stager and Jill Tananbaum, as well as presenting sponsors, Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel.  She then recognized from the stage this year’s Partners for Children Award recipient, long-time volunteer and supporter Jill C. Bee, for her ongoing commitment to the philanthropic needs of our community and years of service meeting the needs of abused and neglected children, followed by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel with a special tenth anniversary Champions of Hope Award for their unwavering commitment to Community Partners of Dallas and the children they serve. 

McDaniel then shared with Tim Gunn that everyone had been anxiously awaiting his arrival, but that had been worried about “what to wear?”

“So, I know we’re all wondering the same thing right now; who are you wearing today?  As soon as we announced that Tim Gunn was our speaker, every friend of mine said ‘gosh, what are we going to wear?’,” remarked McDaniel.  “I bet salespeople all over Dallas have heard many dressing room lamentations as the ladies who lunch were shopping to impress Tim.   Tim, I hope you felt our pain all the way to New York City as we agonized over our outfits!”

McDaniel then went on to wittily share her own fashion transformations over the years, showing slides of her personal style in middle school, before circling back around to the importance of the services provided by CPD and how through the organization’s many programs, including providing brand new clothes, it too transforms the lives of the children it serves every day.

Ms. McDaniel then asked the audience to consider making an additional contribution to help fund items such as cribs, car seats, coats and emergency duffle bags filled with clothing, hygiene products, a toy and more. 

Honorary chair Brian Bolke followed to introduce the featured luncheon speaker, Tim Gunn.  Gunn is widely known for his role as co-host and mentor on Lifetime’s Project Runway, but he is also the Honorary Chair of Fashion Design  at Parsons and author of four best-selling books:  Tim Gunn:  A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style; Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making it Work; Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible:  The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Closet and Tim Gunn:  The Natty Professor:  A Master Class on Mentoring, Motivating and Making it Work!

As Gunn took the stage, he addressed McDaniel and told her, “Paige, you’re the most beautiful person in the room,” to a roar of applause as all in attendance agreed.  He then sat down with local author, lifestyle expert and one of Dallas’ style icons Kimberly Schlegel Whitman for a much-anticipated conversation. 

Answering questions from how he became an author, his famous catchphrase “Make it work!,” and his TEACH  (Truth-telling, Empathy, Asking, Cheerleading and Hoping for the best) philosophy, to sharing stories from prior seasons of Project Runway and other personal recollections, Gunn completely enraptured the crowd with his thoughtful, funny and sometimes irreverent responses.  Kristi Hoyl then returned to the stage to ask questions on behalf of the audience.  A favorite was his response to the question “what current trend has to go?” in which he answered quickly, “leggings worn as pants,” and went on to share his philosophy on this popular trend, “which is probably not going away soon.”  

As the celebration came to a close, guests received a favor bag with the latest issues of PaperCity and The Park Cities News, Mary Kay eye makeup remover and black mascara, smart phone power bank, CPD nail file, Forty Five Ten beauty book and ERDOS at Home catalog and cosmetic bag courtesy of Paper Affair with the option for complimentary monogramming.

For more information, visit communitypartnersdallas.org.

About Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn is the Emmy-winning co-host and mentor for Lifetime’s Project Runway, where he also serves as one of the show’s producers. He and co-host Heidi Klum won the 2013 Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program, nabbing the award after his first nomination. In addition to his television prowess, he served as Fashion Dean at Fifth & Pacific, where he was responsible for attracting, retaining and developing the creative talent within the portfolio of brands.

Prior to his office at Fifth & Pacific, he was the Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. Gunn served as a member of the administration and faculty at Parsons School of Design for 29 years and has a rich and deep history with the institution. In August 2000, Gunn was appointed Chair of the Department of Fashion Design at Parsons with the charge of retooling and invigorating the curriculum for the 21st century. Under his direction, the department was repositioned as the indisputable leader in fashion design education in America and as one of only a handful of leading programs in the world. Upon leaving Parsons, Gunn received the title of Honorary Chair of Fashion Design at the school. In addition, Liz Claiborne, Inc. endowed a scholarship in his name.

Gunn has lectured widely on fashion and lifestyle design and, especially, Parsons’ profound role in putting America on the global design map. His interviews have appeared in a wide range of publications, from Newsweek and The New York Times to Entertainment Weekly and Martha Stewart Living, as well as Women’s Wear Daily, Fortune and Fast Company. In 2009 he delivered the keynote at Harvard Business School’s Conference on Luxury Retail in 2009. He has also covered the red carpet at the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Golden Globes for The Today Show and Entertainment Tonight, and he co-hosted the Official Oscar Red Carpet Pre-Show in 2009 and 2011 for ABC. Tim is also the executive producer and star of Project Runway: Under the Gunn, the newest of the Runway franchise on Lifetime.

Gunn is also a New York Times best-selling author penning Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style, Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work, and Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible: The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Closet. Tim released his fourth book, Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor: A Master Class on Mentoring, Motivating, and Making It Work! in Spring 2015.

He has written articles for Elle, Seventeen, People, US Weekly and Fortune and has a monthly feature in People Style Watch and Marie Claire. The now 61 year-old was named one of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” in 2006. Finally, Marvel comics made him a superhero in their 2009 revival of Models, Inc. with a special feature, “Loaded Gunn,” in which he dons the Iron Man armor to fight crimes against fashion.

About Community Partners of Dallas

Since 1989, Community Partners of Dallas has ensured safety and restored dignity and hope to abused and neglected children by providing crucial resources and support to the caseworkers of Dallas County Child Protective Services.  Community Partners of Dallas provides items such as winter coats, diapers and formula, holiday gifts, school uniforms, personal hygiene products, food and more,  to send the abused children in our community the message that someone does care.  Please visit www.communitypartnersdallas.org for more information.