Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Dallas Heroes and Handbags-WOW!


Last Friday, April 9th, was the Dallas Heroes and Handbags event. For the first time in 5 years, the event was held at The Ritz Carlton. Can I just say the service was AMAZING!!! 620 ladies packed the silent auction area at 9:30 a.m. to bid on over 200 fabulous designer handbags! Designers such as Judith Leiber, Prada, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, just to name a few! Texas handbag designer, Elaine Turner, once again had a fabulous boutique with 15 of her handbags up for auction! Morgan Gianni of Fashion Optical had a hip boutique of designer sunglasses up for auction. His "Eye Candy" boutique was once again a huge hit at the event! As the silent auction drew to a close, guests went into the main ballroom for a delicious brunch and presentation. Jennifer Houser was awarded "The Spirit of Allie & Taylor" award by Jenny and Larissa. Jennifer is the mother of a child (now grown and happily married!) who had cancer. She also serves on our advisory board and with her husband Doug, are great advocates for HFC. Annette Leslie was our guest speaker. Annette's son Carson, was an amazing kid who lost his life to cancer. Annette shared Carson's inspirational story with us. Carson passed away in January of this year. He was 17 years old. He wrote a book, titled, "Carry Me", in which he shares his journey, his fears, his dreams. The book was written using the laptop that Carson received from HFC's Laptops for Love program. The book is now published, and thanks to a generous donor, every guest received a copy of "Carry Me". I don't believe there was a dry eye in the house after Annette spoke. She moved the crowd to support families who have a child with cancer, and hug our kids a little tighter each day. We are thrilled to announce that under the leadership of our incredible chair, Jennifer Dix, Heroes and Handbags Dallas netted $310,000!!! This money will immediately help families in Texas who have a child battling cancer. Thank you Jennifer, thank you to our honorary chairs, "The Staubach Ladies", our amazing committee and everyone who donated a bag, time, money, energy to this great event!


To view or order pictures from Heroes and Handbags, visit Photoguy.net Click on Heroes and Handbags and use password 2010. Our wonderful photographer, Dana Driensky, will donate 100% of sales back to HFC!

Monday, April 5, 2010

April Volunteers of the Month

Spring is in bloom here in Texas! The weather is at that perfect time where for the brief moment in Texas weather it is just right. Not too hot, not too cold. And with the Spring comes handbags! Heroes and Handbags is the largest fundraiser for Heroes for Children. This unique silent auction features handbags ranging from $100 in value to sometimes over $3,000 (like the gorgeous Judith Lieber bag we had featured last week). Last week, event chair Jennifer Dix, led her team of volunteers to have a beautiful and well planned Dallas event. This Friday, Alissa Maples will do the same in Houston.
We are so very blessed with such tremendous leadership for Heroes and Handbags. Jennifer and Alissa have devoted almost a full year to the planning of Heroes and Handbags. Their dedication, hard work, commitment and heart have been major parts of the success of the event. Thank you so much, Jennifer and Alissa!!
Jennifer Dix and family




Alissa Maples and family





Name, Occupation:
Jennifer Dix, mom, community volunteer

Alissa Maples, mom, community volunteer


How did you get involved with HFC?
Jennifer--One meeting with Larissa Linton was all it took.

Alissa—Hearing Jenny Scott speak about her daughter….that’s all it took.


Do you have any kids and/or pets?
Jennifer--Nate, age 10 and Gracie, age 7
Snowball – our Maltipoo

Alissa—Anabelle my sweet daughter, 9
Holden, my angel boy, 6
Chloe, my puppy who turned one on Valentine’s Day!


From looking at you, no one would guess that…..
Jennifer--I’m actually Dr. Dix, PhD

Alissa—I am a super silly person who has a big sense of humor.


Favorite place to eat:
Jennifer--Anywhere

Alissa—Catalan! I love salmon and theirs is the best!

What’s on your book shelf?
Jennifer--Everything! from a nightly devotional, the latest Booker Award or Pulitzer Prize winner, political thrillers or suspense novels, memoirs, romantic ‘beach’ reads, and more

Alissa—Everything….The Shack by William Young, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden & The Power of Kabbalah by Yehuda Berg


What’s in your iPod/CD changer?
Jennifer--a lot of Kidz Bop! and a super eclectic mix

Alissa—All my children’s favorites—Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, & Justin Bieber. I love old love songs from the 80’s—Kevin and I are mushy romantics!


Who’s your hero?
Jennifer--My husband, Richard

Alissa—My Mother. She has handled everything with her illness with such hope and grace.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Want to Make a Difference? Volunteer!

Heroes for Children is SUPER BUSY this spring and we need your help! We are in need of volunteers & participants for our upcoming spring events. If you can help, please email Michelle at mpeacock@heroesforchildren.org for DFW activities, or Mimi Bates at mbates@heroesforchildren.org for Houston activities. Thanks so much!!

THURSDAY, APRIL 8 - Heroes and Handbags set up at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas. We need help from 4pm - 7pm to stuff 620 goody bags! If you are available (or know students who need service hours), please email Michelle.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9 - Heroes and Handbags Dallas Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas. We are in need of volunteers from 8 am - 1pm to help with registration and auction. Please let Michelle know if you can help!

FRIDAY, APRIL 16 - Heroes and Handbags Houston Luncheon at River Oaks Country Club. ONLY 4 TABLES LEFT! Buy tickets online at www.heroesforchildren.org/houstonhand.... Volunteers needed too! Contact Mimi if you can help!

SATURDAY, MAY 8 - Frisco Women's League Mother Daughter Tea at Embassy Suites Frisco benefits Heroes for Children. Purchase tickets online at www.fwltea.org. Volunteers needed, please contact Michelle.

MONDAY, MAY 10 - Heroes for Children Golf Classic at Brookhaven Country Club. Online registration is OPEN at www.heroesforchildren.org/golf.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR LETTING US KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP!