When it Comes to Giving Back, Tarrant County Realtor Debbie Vinson’s Mother Knew Best

Like mother, like daughter for Realtor Debbie Vinson.

Debbie remembers her late mother Royce Warren sold real estate in the Mid-Cities. She also remembers her mom as an active community volunteer with the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the public schools.

Now Debbie finds herself a Realtor with Allie Beth Allman & Associates’ Southlake office on the Dona Robinson team, and she stays equally busy volunteering in her community. From launching the cancer society’s Cowboy Christmas fundraiser to twice chairing Metroport Meals on Wheels’ annual golf tournament, she’s held leadership positions on many volunteer projects. Add to the list such charity fundraisers as Rocky Top’s Great Trail Drive, the Festival of Trees, and Paint the Town, and it’s clear Debbie is devoted to charity work.

“I feel like I grew up around it,” she said. “And I’ve met so many great friends who are like-minded friends.”

Volunteers Can Make The Best Friends

One of the best of those many friends is Dorene Badalamenti. Together they will co-chair the upcoming Garden of Roses Fundraiser, the Greater Keller Women’s Club Foundation’s (gkwc.org) long-established luncheon and style show. The event, set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 at The Bowden Event Center in Keller, pairs the two as co-chairs for the second time.

“We call ourselves the Double Ds” Debbie said, laughing. “We are just best friends, and our husbands are best friends.

Dorene thinks she couldn’t find a better partner.

“I am fortunate that I get to do volunteer work, but I get to work with Debbie Vinson,” Dorene said. “She is a dedicated, caring, and giving person.”

Fashion Show Tickets on Sale

Tickets, priced at $75 each, are on sale now, and sponsorships are still available. Proceeds will benefit the Greater Keller Women’s Club’s philanthropies and college scholarships for Keller students.

Not surprisingly, the co-chairs met while volunteering for another event years ago. Because the two have volunteered so many times, Debbie can’t recall whether it was Rocky Top therapeutic riding center or the Arts Council of Northeast Tarrant County (theartsnet.org). What she does remember is their pairing is a winning combo.

“We’ve done so many things together since then,” Debbie said. “Her strengths are where my weaknesses are and vice versa. It all seems to come together.”

Bonjour, Paris

Together they’ve given the Keller women’s club’s 27th  fashion show the theme “Spring on the Seine.”

With a nod to all things Parisian, an event filled with Eiffel Towers, French food, and even a specialty cocktail awaits attendees. Models will walk the runway wearing fashions by Dillard’s and makeup by Dior. CBS 11’s Ginger Allen will serve as emcee, while former Southlake mayor Rick Stacy, owner of Stacy furniture, will return as auctioneer

Club members and community residents will model spring fashions, Dorene said. Expect spring trends with a lavender accent — keeping with the lavender color scheme–for the show.

“I like to use real people, all sizes, all shapes, all ages,” said Dorene.

Creating the menu will be The Bowden chef Erwin Turalba. With 20 years of culinary experience, the chef promises to bring a French-inspired luncheon of salad niçoise, croissants, and coq au vin for the club’s fundraiser.

“I adore him,” Dorene said. “He’s really amazing the menus he can come up with.”

Clubs Giving History Now a Tradition

The Greater Keller Women’s Club’s foundation has given more than $2.2 million in the 27-year history of the club’s fundraiser. The club was founded in 1989, and the current president is Michelle Jackson. In addition to fundraising, the club leads local community projects.

“The thing that really attracts me to the GRKWC is the amount of volunteer hours to the community, and it’s not done for recognition,” Debbie said. “We’re just this quiet little group that does so much.”