Meet Our Charity Partner

Snowball Express rides its way to a win in the 2015 CultureMap Charity Challenge

The votes have been tallied in the 2015 CultureMap Charity Challenge presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty, and Snowball Express has emerged victorious to become our charity partner for 2015. The nonprofit earned 40 percent of the nearly 7,000 votes cast.

Twelve deserving organizations — including Advocates for Community Transformation (ACT), Art Station Fort Worth, Cafe Momentum, Dallas Cert, Dwell with Dignity, Men of Nehemiah, Nexus Recovery Center, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, SPCA of Texas and YW Nurse-Family Partnership — battled it out in the second annual competition. The prize? A CultureMap advertising package worth $10,000.

"Snowball Express is thrilled to win the Charity Challenge and be selected as CultureMap's charity partner for 2015," says executive director Buck Kern. "This honor will give us a great opportunity to tell more people about the great work that Snowball Express does and how we serve the children of our fallen military heroes."

Snowball Express, founded in 2006, provides hope and new, happy memories to the children of military fallen heroes who have died while on active duty since 9/11. Tragically, there are more than 8,000 children who will never be reunited with their military parent because he or she made the ultimate sacrifice to our nation. These children and their surviving mother or father will continue that sacrifice, as they struggle with the reality of living without their parent and hero.

That is where this organization comes into play. Snowball Express brings kids from all over the country to DFW to enjoy four days of fun activities, including sporting events, dances, amusement parks and more.

Children who are picked for the Snowball Express experience often are reserved, withdrawn or unwilling to talk about their loss. Participating in Snowball Express changes that, allowing each child to feel understood so they can talk about their feelings with others who have lost a parent.

"The timing of this could not have been better," Kern says. "This year is our 10th anniversary, and we want to engage the citizens of Dallas to help us remember, honor and inspire these children, each of whom has lost a dad or mom serving in the military since 9/11."

For more information about how you can help Snowball Express in its mission, visit the website.

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Nick and Nora news

Dallas takes steps to protect White Rock Lake eaglets as they learn to fly

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Visitors to White Rock Lake may notice new restrictions and barricades near a bald eagle nesting area, as three eaglets begin learning to fly.

According to a release from the City of Dallas, Dallas Park and Recreation is monitoring the eagle couple, affectionately nicknamed "Nick and Nora" by local residents, closely because they now have three young eaglets ready to take flight. (While their exact location is widely known, down to the very tree, this CultureMap story is not going to disclose it out of an abundance of caution for the fragile family.)

The city is asking area visitors to keep noise levels low and dogs on leashes near the nest.

The release says water-filled barricades are in place along East Lawther Drive between the playground and the Dreyfuss split, temporarily affecting vehicle access in the area. Drivers should expect short delays, and cyclists are being asked to slow down nearby. The playground near the nesting zone is also temporarily closed.

Officials say the Dreyfuss area, White Rock Trail, and Lake Highlands Drive will remain open for walking and biking.

The three eaglets are in a developmental phase known as “branching,” when young bald eagles begin leaving the nest and learning to fly. During this period, the eaglets may be seen on the ground or perched in lower tree branches.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say this is a particularly sensitive stage because the young birds can appear injured or distressed as they develop their flying skills. Adult eagles may also become more protective during this time.

"Keeping a safe distance helps prevent problems for both the eagle family and park visitors," park officials say.

Dallas Park and Recreation is coordinating with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the eagle family, the release says.

Bald eagles have been spotted near the lake since at least 2019, and have returned in subsequent years to make a nest in the area.

After nearly disappearing decades ago from most of the United States, the bald eagle population is now flourishing across the nation.

Bald eagles are protected under federal law. Disruption of their natural activities is prohibited and a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A violation can result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.

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