Magical Memories

Meet all your favorite characters at the most magical morning in Dallas

On Saturday, June 27, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children will bring magic to life at the third annual Character Breakfast.

Kids from all over the community can meet their favorite caped crusaders, storybook princesses and sports mascots during this one-of-a-kind morning. The best part? While you’re watching your kids’ eyes light up, you’ll know that you’re also supporting the young patients at Texas Scottish Rite.

Character Breakfast was started three years ago by Crayon Club members Dorothy McGowan and Natalie Womble as a way for young professionals to raise money for the hospital while having the opportunity to interact with children in the community.

“We wanted a way to separate ourselves from other young professional groups who usually throw a ball or gala to raise funds. Character Breakfast allows club members and other young professionals to not only raise money, but volunteer while doing so.”

The morning begins with a scrumptious breakfast served by Crayon Club volunteers and friends. All attendees are welcomed and encouraged to dress up as a character, and the excitement builds as the kids receive a special autograph book to collect the characters’ signatures. Their jaws will drop when the character parade enters the room with all of their favorite friends, from Elsa and Cinderella to Batman and Spiderman.

As soon as breakfast is finished, it’s time for a photo and autograph extravaganza. The kids enjoy one-on-one meet-and-greets and photos with the characters. Face-painting stations, family photo booths and tons of other activities keep everyone entertained and smiling.

Parents can explore a fun-filled silent auction with a variety of items for kids and adults alike. Past silent auction packages have included tickets to local sports games, week-long sports and summer camps, family photography sessions, and a cake-decorating party. The silent auction is a great way to find a special birthday gift while supporting children’s care.

Tickets sell out quickly for this limited-seating event, so make sure to purchase early. You don’t want to miss out on the fun!

Event Details
Character Breakfast
Saturday, June 27, 9-11 am
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

Child ticket: $15
Adult ticket: $25
Table (eight seats): $150
Admission is free for children under 2

To purchase tickets, please visit Community.TSRHC.org/CrayonClubBreakfast, or call 214-559-7656 for questions about the event.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has been caring for children since 1921. TSRHC treats children with orthopedic conditions, such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand disorders, hip disorders and limb length differences, as well as certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders such as dyslexia. Please visit us online at scottishritehospital.org or Facebook.org/tsrhc, or call us at 214-559-5000 for additional information.

Crayon Club members volunteer at the the annual Character breakfast.

Volunteers at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children' Character Breakfast

Photo courtesy of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

Crayon Club members volunteer at the the annual Character breakfast.

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Money Matters

This is the salary you need to live comfortably in Texas in 2026

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

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A new national report looking at the income it takes to live comfortably in each of the 50 states has revealed Texans need to earn slightly less now than a year ago.

SmartAsset analyzed what a single individual, as well as family of four, must earn to cover minimum basic needs adjusted using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. The resulting estimate represents the annual, pre-tax income needed to live comfortably in every U.S. state.

A single, full-time worker needs to make $90,563 to live comfortably in the Lone Star State, the report found, which is down a meager 0.2 percent from last year ($90,771).

Under the 50/30/20 budgeting strategy, that means a single Texas earner would have $45,282 to spend on necessities like housing and utilities, $27,169 for discretionary spending, and $18,113 for emergencies or retirement savings.

Texas ranked 34th nationally in SmartAsset's list of states with the highest income needed for a single adult to live "in sustainable comfort" in 2026. Only five other states — Tennessee, Maryland, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi — saw a decline in the income needed to live comfortably this year.

For a family of four to live comfortably in Texas, income requirements change significantly, according to the findings. To support a two-child household, a family needs $203,424 in combined total household income to be considered financially stable. This is down slightly from 2025, when SmartAsset reported a family of four in needed $204,922 to live comfortably in Texas.

This is a comfortable lifestyle for a family of four in Texas, according to the report:

$101,712 dedicated to necessities and living expenses
$61,027 dedicated to discretionary spending
$40,685 dedicated to emergencies, savings, or debt repaymen

According to the report, a family of four now needs to make at least $200,000 to live comfortably in 40 U.S. states, a figure that is far out of reach for many American families.

"As housing, grocery, transportation and other essential costs pressure household budgets, earning a six-figure salary no longer guarantees financial comfort in much of the U.S.," the report said. "A single adult now needs at least $80,000 a year to live comfortably in every state, while the threshold exceeds $100,000 in nearly half of states. For a family of four, the income needed to live comfortably is as much as $329,000."

Still, earning the minimum income to live comfortably in Texas doesn't guarantee financial stability in the Lone Star State's major cities. Earlier this year, SmartAsset determined single residents in Dallas need to make nearly $97,000 to qualify as financially stable, while families of four need about $214,500.

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