Wilkinson Center hosted another successful Turkey Basket Distribution - just in time for Thanksgiving.

Supporters from nine partner organizations donated 536 beautiful turkey baskets, which were distributed by 28 volunteers over three days of distribution. Each basket contained all of the fixings for a complete Thanksgiving dinner, including either a frozen turkey or a Butterball voucher redeemable for a turkey, ham, or vegetarian entrée.

We are so thankful to everyone who supported this amazing annual event!

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 www.wilkinsoncenter.org. 

Equest proudly announces Leslie and Hawkins Golden as honorary chairs and Carol and Bill Huckin, Finley and Eric Konrade and Elsa Norwood as co-chairs of its 41st annual gala: Blue Ribbon Ball, on Saturday, June 4, 2022 in the Al Hill, Jr. Arena at Equest at the Texas Horse Park in Dallas.

 “We are so grateful to have the support of these amazing honorary chairs and co-chairs for our 41^stannual gala, where we will celebrate the power of our mission and the human-horse connection,” said Lili Kellogg, CEO of Equest. “This year’s gala theme is inspired by Equest’s clients’ ‘Blue Ribbon’ success and accomplishments in and out of the arena.  We hope the community will join us for what promises to be a spectacular evening that raises important funds in support of our critical therapeutic programs and all of our client’s ‘Blue Ribbon’ moments.”

With the festivities taking place in Equest’s open-air arena, partygoers can leave their stilettos and tuxes at home, and opt for cocktail chic with stylish sandals or boots.  Event highlights will include a cocktail reception, a seated dinner, silent and live auctions, live entertainment, photo ops with Equest’s horses, recognition of the 2022 Citation award recipient and a special keynote speaker to be announced at a later date. 

The Blue Ribbon Ball will be held on June 4, 2022.  Sponsorships and tables will be available in early 2022.  For additional information, visit www.equest.org/galaor contact Jacquie Maddox at jmaddox@equest.orgor 972-412-1099 x205.

About Equest

Founded in 1981, Equest provides equine assisted learning, therapies and counseling to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping and learning disabilities, as well as veterans who receive all of Equest’s services at no charge.  The services provided include physical and occupational therapy, equine facilitated counseling and equine assisted learning, therapeutic carriage driving, therapeutic horsemanship and competition. With the help of 30 therapy horses, eight instructors, four therapists, three counselors, and 700 volunteers, lives are changed for more than 2,000 served annually. Equest was the first PATH International Premier Accredited Center in Texas and remains one of the largest in the country. Equest offers an engaging volunteer program that provides 30,000 hours of direct program service opportunities each year. www.equest.org

VolunteerNow® received a $250,000 challenge grant from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, in recognition of the organization’s 50^thanniversary this year. The grant will match dollar-for-dollar all donations directed towards a $500,000 capital campaign to celebrate the 50^thanniversary and fund 10 different projects needed to maintain and enhance the organization’s innovative VOLY.org™ platform.

As part of the 50^thAnniversary celebration, Tammy Richards, CEO of VolunteerNow, hopes to mobilize one million volunteers in the next five years and partner with 100 school districts through their volunteer management system. VolunteerNow’s community impact spans across cause areas including education, health, hunger, social services, homelessness, animal welfare, the arts and the environment – among others.

“Through this generous grant from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, we will celebrate VolunteerNow’s 50^thanniversary milestone by continuing to upgrade and extend our reach to the organizations who need volunteers most,” said Richards. “Miss Hill has been a transformational partner in developing the VOLY.org platform, which has allowed us to provide the K-12 school market, municipalities and nonprofits with volunteers needed to support their missions. We hope you will help VolunteerNow achieve our goal of fundraising $250,000 to receive the matching grant.”

VOLY.org is VolunteerNow’s web-based volunteer recruiting, management, reporting and matching platform. The platform leverages five decades of volunteer mobilization knowledge and is the 24/7 connection between volunteers and local service opportunities. This innovative, Software-as-a-Service platform is designed to directly support an organization's needs and expands volunteer impact across all sectors. 

Since VOLY.org’s inception eight years ago, VolunteerNow has increased its volunteer ranks from 10,000 to 310,000. School districts across the country totaling over 400,000 students have licensed the VOLY.org software, and expansion continues nationally. The platform drives a $46 million economic impact for the region and serves nonprofits of all sizes.  

“It is an honor to support VolunteerNow as it celebrates its history and prepares for its future with critical technology and infrastructure investments,” said Hill, Dallas philanthropist.

Through previous impactful funding from generous donors, VolunteerNow has introduced innovations such as the recently updated VOLY.org mobile app, which allows school and community volunteers to search for opportunities with greater ease. Other features include the option to check-in for service opportunities and opting in for notifications to remind volunteers of their upcoming commitments and thank them when they complete their service.

In addition to the grant, VolunteerNow will be able to host training sessions for other nonprofits and social impact organizations through the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park initiative sponsored by Lyda Hill Philanthropies in partnership with J. Small Investments.

To contribute to VolunteerNow’s matching campaign and learn more, please visit volnow.org/donate.

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

About Lyda Hill Philanthropies®

Lyda Hill Philanthropies encompasses the charitable giving for founder Lyda Hill and includes her foundation and personal philanthropy. Our organization is committed to funding transformational advances in science and nature, empowering nonprofit organizations and improving the Texas and Colorado communities. Because Miss Hill has a fervent belief that “science is the answer” to many of life’s most challenging issues, she has chosen to donate the entirety of her estate to philanthropy and scientific research. For more details visit lydahillphilanthropies.org.

Known for its iconic, welcoming red doors, Cancer Support Community North Texas (CSCNT),the leading non-profit providing emotional and social support to people living with cancer and their families across N. Texas, announced it will host the organization’s 2nd Annual Red Tie Gala on Friday, Oct. 15 at The Empire Room. 

The “Dance the Night Away”-themed gala, complete with professional dancers and dance instructors to teach “strolling dances” to guests, will be co-chaired by long-time supporters of CSCNT Laura and Doug Wheat – a three-time breast cancer survivor and Stage 4 prostate cancer “thriver,” respectively – and Susan and Scott Salka. WFAA Good Morning Texas host and CSCNT advocate Hanna Davis will emcee the event.  

Laura Wheat, Mayor of Westlake, helped raise the original funds to create CSCNT and was a founding Board Member. The event will honor the Mary Kay Foundation for their extensive support of CSCNT. 

Honorary event ambassadors include Jessica Bair Williams, great-granddaughter of Mary Kay Ash; Lucy Gildea Ph.D, CSCNT Board Member and Chief Scientific Officer, Mary Kay, Inc.; and Doug Hawthorne, Founding CEO Emeritus of Texas Health Resources and CSCNT “Thrive” recipient. The Mary Kay Foundation will be honored for its continued support of Cancer Support Community North Texas and their decades-long commitment to finding cures for cancers affecting women through funding cancer research, awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocacy for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe.

“This past year during the pandemic, we saw more than ever that cancer support – virtual and in person – is the critical, missing link in cancer care,” said Mirchelle Louis, CEO. “We are thrilled to celebrate what CSCNT provides thousands of people every year at this memorable, all-in-red event and dance the night away with survivors and thrivers!”

“Doug and I are thrilled to be chairing the Red Tie Gala with our close friends, Susan and Scott Salka,” said Laura Wheat.  “Together, through our support of Cancer Support Community North Texas, we are hoping to make a difference in the lives of the many North Texans who are living with cancer.” 

“The work of CSCSNT is vitally important today as the nation recovers from the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis and refocuses on the patients and families responding to cancer treatment. We are honored to co-chair this year’s Red Tie Gala once again, where we will join together with the community to increase awareness and funding to expand and continue the important work of CSCNT,” said Susan Salka, President and CEO of AMN Healthcare Services. 

Lead sponsors of the event are AMN Healthcare Services, Rosemary Haggar Vaughn Family Foundation, Grant Thornton, Locke Lord, Amegy Bank, Jordan Kahn Music Company, and Vow to Dance Studio.

Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $50,000; gala tickets are $200/ticket and both can be purchased within the Purchase Tickets section of http://redtiedallas.org. Proceeds from the event will provide the ongoing social and emotional support programs and services the organization provides at no cost to all impacted by cancer across DFW.

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About Cancer Support Community North Texas

Cancer Support Community North Texas (CSCNT), with three clubhouses serving Dallas, Tarrant and Collin Counties, is affiliated with national Cancer Support Community, the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwidededicated to helping ensure no one faces cancer alone. Completely free of charge, CSCNT is a place where people with cancer as well as their families and friends are learning to live with cancer and thrive beyond it through education, psychological support, networking, children’s programs, workshops and other cancer-centered resources. For more information, visit CancerSupportTexas.org.

Community Partners of Dallas(CPD) is calling on the community to help them reach a 20,000-mile goal! 

20,000 Together is CPD’s first-ever wellness challenge with the goal for participants to collectively log 20,000 activity miles in recognition of the 20,000 abused and neglected children the organization serves annually.  From yoga, walking, cycling and tennis, to fitness classes, swimming, golf, running and more, when the 20,000 mile goal is met, CPD’s Board of Directors will donate $20,000 in matching funds.  The challenge can be completed anywhere and anytime between June 1 – 30, 2021.

“We are so excited to announce our 20,000 Together wellness challenge; it is an event unlike any we have had before and anyone of any age can participate,” Paige McDaniel, president and CEO, Community Partners of Dallas. “As we move back toward normal times, we vow to remember that our community’s youngest victims of abuse continue to have unique and urgent needs. We hope the community will support this first-time campaign as we not only raise awareness of, also funds, for the 20,000 abused and neglected children we serve annually.”

20,000 Together is a wellness challenge that can be completed by:

• Anyone: we’re bringing together corporations, men, women, teens and kids to raise awareness and funds. Kids 12 and under can log their miles on a participating parent’s account (no registration required) and teens can earn service hours for their participation! You can also form a team to participate together.  
• Anywhere: after registering participants will track fitness activities using the atlasGO appor website. You choose your activity and set your own pace (you can even take us on vacation with you!).
• Anytime: challenge runs June 1^st – 30^th but registration is open NOW.

20,000 Togethersponsors to date include:  Celebrations Sponsor– Amazon Web Services; Leaderboard Sponsor– Apex Clearing; Prize Drawing Sponsor – Cawley Partners; Magnificent Milers- Dondolo; Fidelity Investments; JLB Partners; Medical City Children’s Hospital; Origin Bank; and ThompsonKnight Foundation; Mile Movers– Holly House Marketing; and Miles for Smiles– Ann McCurdy Memorial; McGuire, Craddock & Strother, P.C.; and Webb Family Law Firm, PC.

Sponsorships range from $500 - $10,000.  Registration fee to participate is $25 or $45 to register and receive a dri fit t-shirt.  You also have the opportunity to sponsor a CPI/CPS caseworker to participate.  For more information, visit https://www.cpdtx.org/events/20k-together/

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.orgfor more information.