Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep hosted its fourth annual CEO Breakfast on Monday, March 1, 2022 at the Arts District Mansion.  Brian Melton, Cristo Rey Dallas’ interim president, and board chair Scott Moore were joined by 160 attendees at the annual celebration of Corporate Work Study Partner executives. 

As guests were seated CRD student Leilany Garcia gave the invocation, followed by Melton, who welcomed attendees and thanked them for their support of the college preparatory school, an innovative high school located in Pleasant Grove that offers students from households of low to moderate income a rigorous private college prep education paired with a valuable work study program.

Moore followed to honor former Cristo Rey Dallas board member and respected Dallas leader, the late Bill Miller.  

In his remarks he said, “Bill’s altruistic ways were not only evident with those that were closest to him but also extended to everything he was involved in. He was a respected leader in the Dallas business community and was certainly a significant pillar for Cristo Rey Dallas, especially with the Corporate Work Study Program.  His involvement as a member of the board, jobs committee and donor made the difference in Cristo Rey having such a strong beginning.”

A video salute to Miller included interviews with former HMS colleague Bill Lucia, former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, and his family, including wife Tricia, son Joshua and daughter Abby. Following, the aforementioned family members accepted the recognition award dedicated to him. 

Moore continued by announcing the inaugural recipients of the Bill Miller Corporate Leadership Award, given to corporate partners who have shown great commitment to Cristo Rey’s mission.  

He said, “The support we have received from Dallas businesses and their leaders has helped the Corporate Work Study Program at Cristo Rey Dallas become the only school in the network that has all students placed in paid or funded jobs.” 

AmerisourceBergen, HKS and UT Southwestern were each highlighted in a video, followed by an award presentation.

Cristo Rey Dallas board member Pat Cox then took the stage to introduce the inaugural Supervisor of the Year Award, which honors a corporate partner supervisor who has gone a step further in supporting the Corporate Work Study Program, and who has been a true mentor for CRD students.  After a video highlighting what makes her stand out recipient, Michelle Miller, head of field research and data intelligence at CBRE, received this year’s Supervisor of the Year Award.

Natasha Baer from job partner Thomas Title & Escrow and Deloache Capital, presented the final award, the Student Grit Award. The annual Grit Awardis presented to a student who exemplifies the spirit of Cristo Rey through perseverance in the workplace, classroom and beyond.  The student award recipient will also receive a $2,500 scholarship to the college of their choice.  

Before presenting the award to this year’s recipient Alexis Matehuala, Baer said, “Alexis, since you started working for us, we have been very impressed by your performance. One thing we can all agree on is that you are a strong player and have lots of determination to accomplish whatever is in front of you, and always with a smile.”

Matehuala expressed his sincere appreciation for being selected as this year’s Grit Award winner and for the college scholarship. In his speech he thanked his world history teacher Mr. Woodward along with his family and friends for supporting him.

In closing, Cox echoed his gratitude for all in attendance, including current Corporate Work Study partners, sponsors, the Miller family and all of the 2022 award recipients for their ongoing support of Cristo Rey Dallas.

As guests departed, they were gifted a Cristo Rey Dallas coffee tumbler.

About Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep

Located in Pleasant Grove, Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep provides economically challenged students of all faiths with a college preparatory education enabling them to become men and women of purpose and service. Through a rigorous curriculum, integrated with a hands-on professional work experience, students graduate ready to succeed in college and in life. For more information, visit cristoreydallas.org.

VolunteerNow® announces the 15^th annual Hearts of Texas Luncheon, which showcases the importance of volunteerism in the community, on Friday, April 28, 2022, at noon at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Dallas.

Celebrating 50 years of transforming lives through volunteers, the luncheon is chaired by Charles Knight and Peter Jacobson, with The Hoglund Family as honorary chair. In honor of the organization’s milestone anniversary, five extraordinary organizations will be recognized with the 2022 VolunteerNow Lifetime Achievement Award:

-      Lyda Hill Philanthropies founder Lyda Hill has a passion for volunteering and technology and has used her thought leadership and resources to support VolunteerNow. In addition, she has provided transformational support for the development of VOLY.org, VolunteerNow’s easy-to-use volunteering platform. Most recently, in recognition of VolunteerNow’s 50^thanniversary, Lyda Hill Philanthropies awarded the organization a $250,000 challenge grant, which matches dollar-for-dollar all donations directed towards a $500,000 capital campaign through 2023.

-      Hillcrest Foundation supported VolunteerNow’s building campaign and was an early investor in the development ofVOLY.org, leveraging their knowledge of the nonprofit needs in North Texas to help the organization create and sustain the platform. 

-      The Meadows Foundation has supplied property and financial support for the permanent home of VolunteerNow, allowing the organization to focus on supporting nonprofits and volunteers in a great collaborative space.

-      JCPenney is the cornerstone donor to VolunteerNow’s three Discount Depot stores in Dallas and Fort Worth. These stores allow the agency to provide needed new clothing and household items at a deeply discounted price to local nonprofits. Profits from Discount Depot also financially support the organization’s mission of volunteerism.

-      Texas Instruments has been a staunch proponent of corporate volunteerism for many years, and has provided their top executives as VolunteerNow board members, leveraging their technology and business acumen.

Additionally, the Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler Award for exceptional use of volunteers will be awarded to Equest. The Equest mission to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs by partnering them with horses to bring hope and healing through equine assisted activities and therapies is one that VolunteerNow greatly admires. 

A luncheon highlight will include keynote speaker Wes Moore, New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, and United States Army combat veteran. Moore will share his remarkable personal story of overcoming adversity through focusing on education, embracing personal responsibility and emerging as an inspirational leader.

“This year’s Hearts of Texas luncheon will be a wonderful commemoration of VolunteerNow’s five decades of transforming lives through volunteers,” said Tammy Richards, CEO of VolunteerNow. “In addition to hearing Wes Moore’s truly inspirational story, we are extremely honored to recognize five organizations whose unwavering support throughout the last fifty years have ensured our place as one of the largest and most innovative volunteer centers in the country. We hope the community will join us as we salute VolunteerNow’s history and celebrate our exciting future.”

Sponsorships and tickets for the 15^th annual Hearts of Texas Luncheon are available now. Sponsorships range from $2,500 - 50,000; Patron level tickets, with seating for two, are $500; and individual tickets are $200. Visit https://www.volnow.org/heartsoftexasor contact Cami Alexander, calexander@volnow.orgor 214.783.2539, for sponsorship and ticket information.

About VolunteerNow®
With 50 years of experience, VolunteerNow transforms lives through volunteerism and community engagement. In a typical year, VolunteerNow mobilizes more than 310,000 volunteers who give 1.6 million hours to 3,500 local nonprofits, driving a $46 million economic impact. VOLY.org, powered by VolunteerNow, is the 24/7 connection between volunteers and local service opportunities. As a national thought leader in volunteerism and one of the largest volunteer centers in the country, VolunteerNow provides a wide range of programs and services that build capacity for school districts, nonprofits, and municipalities. volnow.org

Wilkinson Center announced its 2022 Can Do! Award recipients at a recent kick-off coffee held at the home of Nancy Cain Marcus.  In addition to the 2022 awardees, Nelda Cain Pickens will serve as luncheon chair with Margot Perot as honorary chair.  

The 2022 Can Do! Luncheon, which will be held Monday, April 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Dallas Country Club and will also serve as the official launch of Wilkinson Center’s 40^th anniversary. The event will include a reception, a seated luncheon and recognition of the 2022 recipients of the Can Do! Award, given to those who exemplify entrepreneurship in philanthropy and the “can do” spirit that makes great things happen in our community. 

Chaired by Nelda Cain Pickens with honorary chair Margot Perot, the 10^thannual Can Do! Luncheon will include a reception, a seated luncheon and recognition of the 2022 recipients of the Can Do! Award.

This year’s award recipients include:

• Can Do! Individual Award – Liza Collins and Rachel Stephensare being recognized for honoring the legacy of the late Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler by continuing her long-standing food drive benefiting Wilkinson Center and three other Dallas nonprofits.  These entrepreneurial women collect food at their children's schools, their homes and in partnership with the Girl Scouts, their sorority and social circles. The impact of their dedication to alleviating hunger is twofold, not only are hungry bellies filled with nutritious food, but their children have come to understand what it means to care for their neighbors.  

• Can Do! Organization Award - Texas Mutual Insurance. The generous team at Texas Mutual Insurance truly embodies the philanthropic spirit. Like many non-profits, Wilkinson Center was faced with a critical dilemma when the COVID-19 pandemic hit - how would we continue to serve our clients without physical classes and services? Texas Mutual, already a generous supporter, swooped in to assist with a tremendous gift that allowed the Wilkinson Center team to advance our technology and allow both clients and staff to move forward with classes and services, safely from our homes. Texas Mutual Insurance continues to support the work of Wilkinson Center and many other area non-profits working hard to serve our community.  

• Can Do! Client Award - Ana Ramirez. Ana enrolled in Wilkinson Center’s high school equivalency class in 2019. She was introduced to financial coaching and worked with a case manager on her financial goals. Ana worked as a housekeeper at a hospital, but wanted a more advanced career in healthcare. She began classes in our Patient Care Technician program at Arcadia Park Annex in 2020 while studying for the last section of her GED test. Through the Working Families Success program, Ana was provided additional income support such as food assistance, holiday assistance for her children, and scrubs for class. Ana completed the Patient Care Technician program in addition to earning her GED. Ana’s next step was to prepare for her citizenship test, and she is proud to say she is now a US citizen, currently studying to take the National Patient Care Technician exam.  

• Kids Can Too! Award  - The Guthrie Kids - Felix, Joseph & Judith. Joseph, Felix and Judith are not your average kiddos. Their mother Emily, like many parents, was met with both excitement and pause when her first child's school aged birthday came about. She wondered if the birthday celebration at school presented an opportunity to make a difference. She asked Joseph if he would like to invite his friends to bring shelf-stable food instead of gifts to his party so they could share with other kids that do not have enough food. To her delight he said "yes!” The tradition began nearly 10 years ago and has continued with the two younger Gutherie kids, Felix and Judith.

“Since 1982 Wilkinson Center has provided hope through food and emergency services, workforce training and free adult education for thousands of Dallas County residents. It is through the ongoing support of our community that we have been able to serve our clients for 40 years,” remarked Anne Reeder, Executive Director of Wilkinson Center. “We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s award recipients for the impact they have made, and continue to make, in our community.”

Past recipients of the individual Can Do! Awards include Anne and Terry Conner, Larry and Kathy Helm, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, John and Ellen McStay, Carolyn and David Miller, Regina Montoya, Carlin Morris and Dr. Joyce Pickering.

Sponsorships begin at $5,000 and tables begin at $3,000.  Individual patron tickets are $500 each and include an invitation to the Sponsor Party at the home of Nancy Cain Marcus, and luncheon tickets are $300 each.  For information contact the Wilkinson Center, 214.821.6380 or visit https://www.thewilkinsoncenter.org/event/can-do-luncheon-2022/.

About Wilkinson Center: 

Wilkinson Center is just that – a center. A starting point for pathways that lead to better things. Since 1982, we’ve helped transform the lives of Dallas families in crisis by setting them on their paths. Whether it’s a path that leads to employment. Or a path that puts food on the table every day. We’re here to give them the brightest green light they’ve ever seen, signaling the beginning of their journey to self-sufficiency.

Our formula for success is case management, a compassionate staff, dedicated volunteers and effective, individualized programming that provides food, adult education and jobs. We believe that everyone deserves a little hope and encouragement, especially in times of adversity. And we can all get from where we are to where we want to be much sooner if we move Forward, together.

For more information, visit wilkinsoncenter.org.

VolunteerNow® announces Charles Knight and Peter Jacobson as co-chairs of its15^th annual Hearts of Texas Luncheon, with the Hoglund family as honorary chairs.

Both Knight and Jacobson currently serve on VolunteerNow’s board of directors. Knight has also been a long-time community volunteer and is vice president of technology solutions company, Pariveda Solutions. Jacobson is product manager at the innovative educational technology company Istations, and is also the grandson of the late Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler, one of VolunterNow’s first supporters. The Hoglund family was last year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for their spirit of volunteerism and support of Dallas’ non-profit organizations for more than 30 years.

Planned for Thursday, April 28, 2022 at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Dallas, the fundraiser will also celebrate the organization’s 50^thanniversary. In addition to a seated lunch, the event will include recognition of five organizations, to be announced at a later date, that have contributed to VolunteerNow’s 50 years of success.

“Fifty years ago, four Dallas leaders saw the need for a centralized place to connect volunteers with Dallas nonprofit agencies. Now one of the largest volunteer centers in the country, VolunteerNow is celebrating five decades of transforming lives through volunteers,” said Tammy Richards, VolunteerNow CEO. “Helen Boothman, prominent civic volunteer; Mitch Jericho, co-founder of Big Thought; Jan Sanders, educator and philanthropist; and Annette Strauss, 55^thmayor of Dallas and philanthropist, laid the foundation for this community cornerstone that has grown into a national technology nonprofit organization. We look forward to commemorating this significant milestone with the community.”

VOLY.org™, powered by VolunteerNow and first implemented in 2013, has allowed VolunteerNow to increase its volunteer ranks from 10,000 to 310,000 in seven years. By consistently updating and adapting the technology platform, VolunteerNow plans to mobilize one million volunteers and serve 100 school districts across the country in the next five years. 

Table and sponsorship information will be announced in early 2022. 

About VolunteerNow®
With 50 years of experience, VolunteerNow transforms lives through volunteerism and community engagement. In a typical year, VolunteerNow mobilizes more than 310,000 volunteers who give 1.6 million hours to 3,500 local nonprofits, driving a $46 million economic impact. VOLY.org, powered by VolunteerNow, is the 24/7 connection between volunteers and local service opportunities. As a national thought leader in volunteerism and one of the largest volunteer centers in the country, VolunteerNow provides a wide range of programs and servicesthat build capacity for school districts, nonprofits, and municipalities. www.volnow.org

The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) League announces the 22^nd annual Art in Bloom on Monday, March 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dallas Museum of Art.  Proceeds support the Dallas Museum of Art’s exhibition and education programs, as well as the DMA League’s Floral Endowment Fund.

Chaired by Sila Grogan and co-chair Pat McDonough, with honorary chair Peggy Sewell, the 2022 theme, Art of the Jewel, is inspired by the first Art in Bloom event and Margaret McDermott’s love of fresh flowers. Believing that a beautifully arranged floral arrangement was like a piece of art, she founded the Floral Design Committee and motivated the members to interpret the colors and feel that they observed in the Museum’s paintings through flowers.

Art of the Jewel will further enhance this concept by highlighting nature’s gems and minerals with featured speaker Paula Crevoshay, an internationally acclaimed jewelry designer renowned for her botanical collection of bespoke jewelry.  

Crevoshay has been recognized as one of the most influential jewelry designers of our time and is considered by many knowledgeable critics to be among the very best of all time. The jewelry press has dubbed her “The Queen of Color” for her painterly approach to gemstone use and students in fashion and design schools write reports on her and her work.  Crevoshay’s work is currently on exhibition at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science through March 2022.

Art in Bloom will begin with a reception, followed by a presentation by Crevoshay in the Museum’s Horchow Auditorium.  At the appointed time, attendees will return to the Hamon Atrium for a seated luncheon. 

An exciting addition to the day will be a presentation of the inaugural members of the “Circle of Gems.”  The circle will honor the efforts of individuals whose contributions for this year’s Art in Bloom have bolstered the League’s ability to support the Dallas Museum of Art.  Those recognized will serve as models during the luncheon, showcasing the fabulous jewelry of Paula Crevoshay.  (For more information regarding the Circle of Gems, visit our website.) Guests will then enjoy dessert while bidding on one-of-kind luxury live auction packages, followed by an announcement of raffle prize winners. 

Sponsorships range from $5,000 - $20,000 and are available now.  For more information about Art in Bloom 2022: Art of the Jewel, contact Edwina Gonzalez at the DMA’s Office of Special Events at 214.922.1800, or visit www.dmaartinbloom.org.

About the Dallas Museum of Art League

Founded in 1938, the League is celebrating 83 years of contributions through volunteer work for the Museum, art acquisitions and the support of key endowment funds.  

The League has participated in the acquisition of approximately 100 works of art for the Museum.  In addition, the Dallas Museum of Art League has supported special exhibitions, education, exhibition endowments, Late Nights programs, and it contributes to the Endowment Fund.

About the Dallas Museum of Art 

Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country. With a free general admission policy and community outreach efforts, the DMA is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses 25,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. The DMA is an Open Access institution, allowing all works believed to be in the public domain to be freely available for downloading, sharing, repurposing, and remixing without restriction. For more information, visit?DMA.org. 

The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of DMA Members and donors, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.