A Home that Helps Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect: Family Compass “A Legendary Evening” Almost Sold Out!

Sometimes, sadly, it’s not a pretty picture: some children are at risk of abuse and neglect. That is why I LOVE Family Compass

The mission of Family Compass is to build healthy families and a strong Dallas community by preventing child abuse and neglect.  The mission resonates through therapeutic and educational programs for families who at increased risk for child abuse.  Family Compass shares a vision that is true to my heart: equip and empower all parents with the tools to raise healthy and productive children. Family Compass works to empower parents by teaching positive parenting methods and supporting parents in strengthening their families’ emotional, economical, physical, and social capacities.

Founded in 1992 by more than 400 Dallas Exchange Club volunteers, the Family Compass mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect in our community.  Formerly known as the Child Abuse Prevention Center, the name was changed to Family Compass in 2012. The name change helps to more clearly communicate the organization’s purpose of guiding families away from violence and towards a path of health, healing and hope.

Family Compass is also United Way agency. And I believe this year they will be getting funding from the Crystal Charity Ball. Since 1992, nearly 40,000 children and parents have been positively served by Family Compass. It is clearly one of the most productive charitable organizations in North Texas. That’s why the tables are almost all sold out for the April 25ths gala, “A Legendary Evening” fund raiser at the Hilton Anatole. There are 1.5 tables left, so you can still snag a seat or two.

And well you should because I am honored to be one of this Year’s “Legends” (again!) and host a table.

Guess which table will be having the most fun in Dallas that night?

A Legendary Evening will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole in the Stemmons Ballroom. Highlights will include cocktails, seated dinner, music, silent and live auctions, ‘Duff’s Live Surprise’ and mingling with some of Texas’ “living legends.” Hope to see you there, preferably at our table, with the Legends! I plan on bringing a bag of goodies… just for my peeps.

Who might those OTHER  legends be? WFAA-TV meteorologist Colleen Coyle will return as Mistress of Ceremonies along with these legends and luminaries: chef Blythe Beck, star of the Oxygen reality-TV show, The Naughty Kitchen; retired WFAA-TV news anchor Gloria Campos; publisher and editor in chief for Patron magazine Terri Provencal, her first year; Carmen Menza, artist and musician; Melissa Carson, reality TV-star and swimsuit designer; Catherine Cuellar, executive director of the Dallas Arts District; Kris Clinton, model and actor; chef David Anthony Temple (Chef DAT), underground chef and owner of newly-opened Twenty-Seven; retired chief weather anchor for WFAA-TV Troy Dungan; Mark Menza, artist; chef Otto Borsich, Bravo-TV’s Top Chef, Season 2; DeSagana Diop, professional NBA basketball player; composer; restaurateur Todd Conger; world-ranked junior golfer, Avery Zweig; PR maven Martha Tiller, president and CEO of Martha Tiller Company; James Faust, artistic director, Dallas Film Society; Roger Emrich, voice of the Dallas Cowboys; Ann Williams, founder of Dallas Black Dance Theatre; composer, producer and trumpeter Freddie Jones; Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef; Rich Coady, former NFL player and Super Bowl Champion; Gary Levinson, senior principal associate concertmaster, Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Keith Alcorn, writer, producer and director; pediatric surgeon Dr. Thomas Renard; Holly Kuzmich, senior vice president, George W. Bush Presidential Center. And MOI!

Just a few weeks ago, co-chairs Kristy Faus and Shakeya McDow partied it up with seventy-five sponsors, host committee members and legends on March 25. I couldn’t be there, as we had our second night of Oral Fixation. Heard it was fab: sipping wine and gazing at beautiful artwork at the Mod Artists’ gallery in the Design District. James Gabriano played guitar, guests enjoyed wine and a delicious hors d’oeuvres buffet by Wendy Krispin Caterer: cold boiled shrimp, warm creamy mac & cheese gratin, marinara orzo al forno and chocolate dipped cheesecake bites on skewers. Oh yum! All this while I was at the Texas Theater!

Midway through the party, Executive director Jessica Trudeau welcomed all and recognized top event sponsors including DB&K Management, Mary Bowman Campbell, Ernst & Young LLP, and Raymond and Kristy Faus plus Crane Associates, Duff’s Fine Jewelry, Mike and Mary Terry and a mysterious, anonymous donor. Former State Senator Florence Shapiro is this year’s honorary chair. Author Kim Garrett is the 2015 Spirit of Compassion Award recipient, and Ernst and Young LLP is the 2015 Spirit of Community Restoration Award recipient.

Ms. Faus and Ms. McDow also shared details regarding the upcoming annual fundraiser, including auction items and tickets that are almost sold out,  for the first time in the event’s history.

So are we going to see you on April 25? Party for the best cause on earth, preventing child abuse and neglect? Sometimes I wish I could mother every child I see… Family Compass kind of gives me a chance to do just that!