Go Red For Women

Ladies in red open their hearts and wallets to fund Dallas health program

Even though downtown Dallas was recently overrun with tiny cheerleaders competing for the national championship title, it's clear where the waves of women in red were heading: the 2020 Go Red for Women luncheon.

Put on by the American Heart Association and chaired this year by Judy Hendrick, the massive gathering helps raise awareness and funds for preventing, researching, and treating heart disease and strokes. And raise these more than 1,000 attendees did, to the tune of $1.8 million and counting.

The first stop was a step-and-repeat where guests were encouraged to place a flower in the greenery wall in honor of those suffering from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women.

Then it was onto the health screenings provided by Texas Health Resources, a relaxation station that explored how to apply stress-relieving techniques, and a puppy play area that helped underscore the impact pets can have on overall health.

Guests — who included Tavia Hunt, Courtney Kerr, Kellie Rasberry, Mary Parker, Nancy Gopez, Katherine and Key Coker, Melinda Knowles, Regina Bruce, Nancy and Gary Brown, Sandi and Ron Haddock, Lisa and Dr. John Warner, CEO of Texas Health Barclay Berdan, Stacy Johnson, Elise Mobley Turner, and Diane Parmerlee — also browsed the silent auction.

Prizes ranged from beauty baskets and dining experiences to sports memorabilia and lavish excursions to Chicago and New York. Attendees could also purchase a bottomless Champagne flute for $100, to add a little bubbly to the afternoon.

Tim Wallace and the women of Trinity Industries and Arcosa were recognized as the Sandi Haddock Community Impact Honorees for the historical impact they have made on the AHA's life-saving mission. For more than 11 years, Trinity Industries has raised nearly $7.5 million for the Association, led by the leadership of Wallace.

During the Open Your Heart portion of the program, attendees heard from heart survivor Meredith O'Neal. In 2018, O'Neal suffered a life-threatening aortic dissection when she was 37 weeks pregnant. She underwent two emergency surgeries, where physicians at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas saved her and her baby, Geoffrey. Thanks to her awareness of her family history, she sought medical attention immediately, which ultimately saved her life. The Open Your Heart Campaign raised a record-breaking $269,000, more than double last year's amount.

This year's keynote speaker, Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, has devoted her career to the treatment of heart disease through early detection, education, and prevention. She detailed how the first-ever Go Red luncheon was established, and how it has grown to a powerhouse fundraiser across the nation. Dr. Steinbaum also stressed the importance of knowing the signs of cardiac distress in women, and how they vary from the symptoms traditionally seen in men.

For 16 years, Go Red for Women has provided a platform for women to come together, raise awareness, fund lifesaving research, advocate for change, and improve the lives of all women everywhere. To donate or for more information, visit heart.org/dallasgored.

Paige McDaniel, Tavia Hunt, Kate Meyer

Photo by James Edward

Paige McDaniel, Tavia Hunt, Kate Meyer

Coffee news

Starbucks partners bestow $53K in grants to favorite Dallas nonprofits

Courtesy

Chalkboard at Starbucks celebrates Resource Center.

In a one-of-a-kind charitable program, coffee giant Starbucks has bestowed more than two dozen grants to organizations across Dallas — organizations selected by Starbucks employees themselves.

Called The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, it's unique as a charitable effort thanks to its profound level of engagement, by allowing employees to nominate nonprofit recipients.

The Starbucks Foundation is the company's charitable arm which issues grants to nonprofits — from coffee and tea-growing communities around the world to neighborhood groups.

The Neighborhood Grants program gives their "partners" (what they call their employees) the opportunity to support the local organizations they care most about. This year, more than 3,200 grants are being awarded across the U.S. and Canada. Of that number, 27 organizations in Dallas received a Neighborhood Grant, totaling $53,000.

That included a $4,000 grant to Resource Center, a Dallas provider of LGBTQIA+ services and a big Starbucks staff favorite: It was nominated by an unprecedented 40 partners, and has previously earned seven grants totaling $20,000 from The Starbucks Foundation since 2019.

Resource Center's director of corporate engagement & events Bill Scott says that the grant is part of a larger meaningful partnership.

"In the current climate, we've seen many corporations turn away from our community, but Starbucks has remained steadfast," Scott says. "And we see it in ways that go beyond the grants, whether it's volunteering at our food bank or being ready for any fundraising event where they'll set up a coffee station to distribute to our guests."

Founded in 1983, Resource Center focuses on three pillars: positive social engagement in safe spaces, supportive services to promote wellness, and skill-building opportunities to promote growth.

Resource Center accepts grant from Starbucks Foundation, from left to right: Bill Scott (RC), Daniel Sanchez (RC), Tres Brown (RC), and Howard Jackson (SBUX).Jeffrey McWhorter

"The grant will help us continue to serve and uplift our community with more programming in areas like health and wellness," Scott says. "Last year, we opened our first low-income affordable housing complex for seniors, and before it even opened, it was sold out. We can see that the services we provide fill a real need."

It's a rare scenario in the corporate world, Scott says.

"There are not many companies I have dealt with like the Starbucks Foundation where they rely on their partners to make recommendations and listen to their partners," he says.

For Starbucks partners like Marsh King, an operations consultation manager who's been with the company for nearly 28 years, Starbucks' priority on being mission-driven has been a big incentive to stay with the company.

"When you see a grant that might give Resource Center the funds to do something like buy more refrigeration for the food pantry they just opened — it's gratifying to see that direct impact and know that you're a part of it," she says.

The level of engagement is very grass-roots, says senior partner employee relations associate Howard Jackson.

"We have customers who come in and say, 'I saw you at that event last weekend," he says. "We support the community, and they are our customers, as well. Through this work, we connect a lot of dots."

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