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!

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.

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!

Morgan LaRue Turns 9!

What a great reminder of why we do what we do!

Sweet little Morgan LaRue is currently a cancer patient at Texas Children's Hospital and has been doing her very best to stay strong. Her social worker and Child Life Specialist at Texas Children's contacted HFC about planning a surprise party for Morgan's 9th birthday at the hospital and boy was it worth it!

Morgan's loves bar-b-que, so we had tons of it there, along with a Magician, balloons, cake, ice cream and her whole clan of cousins (who got to play hookie that day from school). When Morgan walked into the decorated "teen room" at TXCH, and saw everything and everybody who was there to celebrate her special day, she was beyond surprised and excited! Her smile was priceless!

Pictures tell a much better story than I do... Happy 9th Birthday Morgan LaRue!

Dallas Handbags Live Auction Raises over $83,000

Guests enjoyed an absolutely beautiful evening at the Heroes and Handbags Underwriters' Party and Live Auction at the home of our generous hosts, Marianne and Roger Staubach, on Thursday, March 4. HUGE thanks to our Live Auction Chairs, Jennifer Tobin and Paige Westhoff, for their incredible effort to make this event so special for everyone. From the awesome auction items to the custom-designed auction programs, they thought of everything!

Some big surprises...

• The Stuabachs upped the ante on the "Gear up to the Superbowl" package (which included all of the concerts and VIP parties) by including 2 tickets to the Superbowl itself!
• Chef Grady Spears TRIPLED his donation of cooking for a party for 12 so that we could sell it to three different bidders!
• Our generous underwriters purchased FORTY-THREE (43) Laptops for Heroes for Children's Laptops for Love program.

The Live Auction is just one event leading up to the brunch on April 9 at The Ritz-Carlton. Everyone is invited to the Raffle Party and Handbag Drop-Off on March 26 at the Tower Athletic Club and Spa at CityPlace from 10 am - 2pm (come and go - complimentary valet out front - mimosas and half-price spa services too!). Our raffle chair, Dawn Spalding, has secured 5 incredible raffle items, that will be raffled on April 9. Raffle tickets will be on sale ($25 each or 5 for $100), and committee members (and others) can drop off handbag donations as well.

As for the brunch on April 9... well, we are practically sold out... waitlist will start this week... stay tuned!

February volunteer of the Month

Doug Noon is the February volunteer of the month for Heroes for Children. Doug has a true heart for Heroes For Children. I am blessed to call Doug family, he is married to my sweet sister, Allison. When Taylor was first diagnosed with cancer, Doug and Allie did everything they could to help me and my family. At the time, Allie & Doug were newlyweds without kids of their own. They had lots of pre-parenting practice, so to speak, as they kept my then 19 month old daughter, Tristyn, countless days and nights. They were there for me for whatever I needed, and loved Tristyn like she was there own. Tay Tay loved her Uncle Dougie. What a blessing they were in her life and are in mine.
Last year, Doug served on the Tee off for Taylor golf committee for our annual golf tournament. He was a huge asset to our committee in making that a successful event. This year, Heroes for Children has changed the date and venue of the golf tournament. The HFC golf classic will be Monday, May 10th at noon, at Brookhaven Golf Club in Dallas. Doug is again serving as a leader on the golf committee. Doug is active in seeking sponsors for the tourney, signing letters, soliciting prizes... you name it, Doug gets it done!
HFC is also very proud to have Doug join our Board of Directors this year. Doug closely witnessed the struggles and trials parents face when they have a child diagnosed with cancer. Thank you Doug for all you do.

Name, Occupation:

Doug Noon

I’m a C.P.A and Senior Director with Riveron Consulting. Riveron Consulting provides financial and accounting due diligence services to clients involved in an acquisition and/or in need of finance and accounting services, such as an interim CFO, controller, or special accounting/finance projects.


How did you get involved with HFC?

I’m the Uncle of Taylor Brewton. During Taylor’s battle with cancer, my wife, Allison, and I played every part we could to assist her parents while they cared for Taylor during Taylor’s eleven months of cancer treatment. I have played in all of the HFC golf classics. In 2009, I served on the HFC golf classic committee. In the current year, I have taken on the role of the chair of the sponsorship sub-committee for the 2010 HFC golf classic and joined the Board of Directors.


Do you have any kids and/or pets?

I have three children. I have a daughter, Wesley, who is seven and in first grade. Wesley loves to dance and play soccer. I have two sons: Trevor, who is four and loves to play soccer and Jared, who is two and loves to mix it up with his older siblings.


From looking at you, no one would guess that…..

I have a torn ACL from playing soccer well past my youthful days.


Favorite place to eat:


My favorite restaurant that my wife and I like to visit yet don’t get there often enough is Amore in Dallas. Amore serves great Italian food in a quaint setting. Allison and I actually ate dinner at Amore prior to a Harry Connick Jr. concert and getting engaged later that night.




What’s on your book shelf?

I don’t really find myself reading a lot of books. It seems like most of my free time is spent with my wife and children. The most recent book I read was “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi. It was a very good book about building relationships and the value of those relationships now and in the years to come.


What’s in your iPod/CD changer?

I like to listen to good old rock & roll. My all time favorite group would have to be U2.


Who’s your hero?

My hero is my Dad. My Dad has been married to my Mom for 51 years, raised and put five children through college, a successful businessman, active volunteer, and not least a devout Christian. My Dad has been a leading example of how I want to live my life. I can only hope that my children will be able to say the same about me someday.

SuperHeroes Birthday Club

Are you looking for a way to help Heroes for Children fulfill its mission of providing financial and social support to families who have kids with cancer? Do you like birthday parties? Did you know that through birthday celebrations children can help further the mission of Heroes for Children? Our SuperHeroes Birthday Club is a membership club for kids who want to be heroes by helping families with children with cancer. This kids-helping-kids program incorporates giving through children’s birthday parties, and teaches kids the value of giving to others. Many times parents are wondering what to get a child for their birthday and now you can honor your child by hosting a SuperHeroes Birday Club party.

Heroes for Children is here to help you in your fundraising ideas.
· We have inserts preprinted to include with your invitations. The inserts tell about the mission of Heroes for Children and about how your child is collecting donations in lieu of gifts.
· You may choose to make a donation in honor of your child and we will provide cards to include in your goodie bags telling about your donation to Heroes for Children.
· Need an idea for a craft? Assemble goodie bags filled with goodies for children living in the hospital.

However you choose to celebrate your child’s birthday, be sure to make the party FUN!