What: CIS Soiree for Students
Where: Texas Discovery Gardens
The 411: With one of the prettiest backdrops in Dallas, a room full of supporters, and the leadership of chairwoman Maggie Kipp, it's no wonder the annual fête for Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region was a smashing success. Herb-infused Garden Mules were the drink of choice during cocktail hour, where attendees exchanged summer vacation stories and excitement for the social season to come. Then came dinner and impassioned presentations about the good works of CISDR and the kids it serves.
Helping along the fundraising was a live auction that included items like a violin bass guitar signed by Sir Paul McCartney, a signed photo of Olympian gold medal winner Michael Phelps, and tickets to Hamilton in New York City.
Founded in 1985, CISDR operates in 70 schools in nine school districts in Dallas, Collin, and Ellis counties, with more than 78 percent of those students living in poverty and deemed “at-risk” of future failure by the Texas Education Agency. Among other results this school year, 96 percent stayed in school, and CISDR high school intervention resulted in a 95 percent graduation rate. In the last 30 years, the nonprofit has touched the lives of nearly 250,000 students from kindergarten through graduation, surrounding them with a community of support and empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Who: Honorary chairs Katherine and Key Coker, Anne Lindsey, Davin Hunt, Caroline Rose Hunt, Ben Bazemore, Cynthia Beaird, Elsa Norwood, Angela Nash, Katy Bock, Nancy Gopez, Katherine Helms, James Landen, Jen and Nick Fyffe, and Brenda and Clay Cockerell.
Rhea Sawla, Asher Weinstein
