Glow For a Cause

Rita Wilson inspires Dallas philanthropists to blossom at Chick Lit lunch

A veritable field of florals, pastels, and bright, bold colors sprouted in and around the Hilton Anatole's Trinity Ballroom on March 22 for Community Partners of Dallas' 18th annual Chick Lit Luncheon.

Chaired by Cathy James and Lisa Ogle with honorary chair Christine McKenny, and presented by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel, the springtime soiree drew more than 1,000 attendees who were as passionate about fundraising as they were seeing special guest Rita Wilson.

VIPs arrived early that morning for a Champagne meet-and-greet with the actress, singer/songwriter, and producer (who also happens to be married to Tom Hanks), as the rest of the guests enjoyed a wine reception while browsing the raffle prizes. Those fabulous items included a Dolce & Gabbana logo flap leather shoulder bag courtesy of Neiman Marcus; two business class round-trip tickets from Dallas to Paris with Air France; a getaway to Los Angeles with airfare from Delta Air Lines and two nights of accommodation; a $2,500 Eiseman Jewels gift card; a Texas Rangers package; and a night of dinner and drinks for 10 at Pizzana Dallas.

Attendees then took their seats as the co-chairs introduced Community Partners of Dallas' president and CEO, Joanna Clarke, and explained the nonprofit's mission.

Since 1989, CPD 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. Funds raised at the luncheon help provide items such as winter coats, diapers and formula, holiday gifts, school uniforms, personal hygiene products, food, car seats, and more.

CPD serves 20,000 abused and neglected children annually. This year's luncheon even set a new record for sponsorships, while the afternoon's Fund the Need campaign brought in additional gifts of all sizes, from $135 to $10,000.

Author and event sponsor Dr. Stacie Stephenson was also in attendance with her two best-selling books, Glow: 90 Days to Create Your Vibrant Life From Within and Vibrant: A Groundbreaking Program to Get Energized, Own Your Health, and Glow. Each attendee's gift bag contained copies to take home.

Before the crowd began enjoying their lunch of Greek salad and blackberry glazed cheesecake, there was a special surprise: One lucky winner discovered two complimentary roundtrip first class tickets to anywhere in the continental 48 on Delta Airlines hidden under her chair. Spotted among those searching were Maggie Kipp, Nancy Gopez, Sunie Solomon, Megan Williamson, Christie Houser, Erika Burton, Christine Pederson, Jana Williams, Jenifer Longhofer, Teffy Jacobs, Holly Huffines, Leigh Anne Haugh, Kristin Hallam, and Brynn Dent, among others.

A video highlighted the tremendous support of the 2024 Paige McDaniel Partners for Children Award recipient, Capital for Kids. Clarke presented the award to Capital for Kids founders Dawn Blankenship, Eliot Raffkind, and Reid Walker as recognition for the organization’s commitment to the philanthropic needs of our community, as well as their years of service meeting the needs of abused and neglected children through CPD.

Then, the main event: Three-time Emmy Award and Associated Press award-winning journalist Laura Harris, from NBC5, led a charmingly candid conversation with Wilson. They covered everything from the multi-hyphenate's Greek and Bulgarian heritage and her very first acting role on The Brady Bunch to her album of duets with such artists as Jackson Brown, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, Josh Groban, Tim McGraw, Smokey Robinson, and more.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron, Celeste Cass & Nate Rehlander

Jenifer Longhofer, Jana Williams, Jamie Oliver.

The most memorable moment of the lightning round? Harris asking, "If you could only choose one designer clothing to wear for the rest of your life on your body, who would it be?" and Wilson replying without hesitation, "Spanx!"

The next Chick Lit Luncheon is set for March 28, 2025. For more information on Community Partners of Dallas, visit www.communitypartnersdallas.org.

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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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