Dallas Magnolias Presented Over 800 Bye-Bye Bags and Stockings filled with Christmas Goodies and Toys benefiting the Children of Vogel Alcove
The Holiday Drive was sponsored by CAPTRUST with Robert Griffin III “RG3” as Honorary Chair and included $30,000 in checks presented to Vogel Alcove
The Dallas Magnolias presented over 800 Bye-Bye-Bags, along with 80 three-foot tall Christmas stockings filled with goodies and toys to the children of Vogel Alcove, plus 72 stockings for their parents at a special event created just for them. The surprises also included checks totaling $30,000 presented to Karen Hughes, President and CEO, Vogel Alcove.
Regina Bruce, a member of the Founding Board of Directors of the Dallas Magnolias and chair of this event, brought family and friends together, along with members of the Dallas Magnolias to brighten the season with a wonderful Christmas event with Robert Griffin III “RG3” as the honorary chair of the Holiday Drive presented by independent registered investment advisor CAPTRUST.
Every inch of the gymnasium at Vogel Alcove was filled with gifts, totaling over $25,000, and lavishly decorated with vignettes representing different scenes in conjunction with the theme "In A World Full of Grinches Be A Cindy Lou Who,” designed by Kimberly Elliott, OutHerMind Marketing & Event Services. Actors who donated their time were (in order of appearance): Mount Crumpit, Home of Grinch vignette, Paul Maldonado; Cindy Lou Who/Bye-Bye Bags vignette, Rylie Riski; Cindy Lou Who/Toys and Gifts vignette, Pamela Jackson; Cindy Lou Who/Gifts and More for Moms vignette, Samantha Masucci; Mrs. Santa Claus/Three-Foot tall stockings/candy vignette, Veronica Garcia.
Jeff Crilley, Real News Public Relations, served as emcee and welcomed guests, thanking sponsors. Kimberly narrated a story taking the crowd through each vignette with its own Cindy Lou Who actor, singing, dancing and making merry at each turn and one including Mrs. Claus.
Dr. Carla Russo, a founding board member of Dallas Magnolias, set the scene for the check presentations saying that it was with the Magnolias determination and commitment to the cause that made the event so successful. She welcomed Regina who said, “Dallas Magnolias is thrilled to have this opportunity to join together with presenting sponsor CAPTRUST and RG3 as honorary chair to create a magical and joyous occasion for the homeless infants, toddlers and pre-school children served at Vogel Alcove.”
She brought Jacqueline Griffin, President, Robert Griffin III “RG3” Foundation, to the stage, who said that it is the mission of the foundation to give back to those in need and that children are our future, as she presented a check for $5,000 to Karen. She also presented a check from the NFL Foundation for $5,000 in matching funds, for a total of $10,000.
John Pickett, Senior Vice-President, CAPTRUST, sponsor of this event, representing the CAPTRUST Community Foundation said, “We selected Vogel Alcove this year because of the important work the organization is doing to help young children overcome the lasting and traumatic effects of homelessness. The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional stress to these underserved and impoverished children, and we hope that the CAPTRUST Community Foundation donation will assist in providing them with some much-needed relief and comfort this holiday season.” He was joined on stage by members of CAPTRUST Esther Doucet, David Mize and Travis Whitten, as he presented a check for $10,000.
Tammany Stern, a Dallas Magnolias founding board member, thanked the men behind the scenes, now dubbed the #MagMen, in support of their wives in the group. Dr. Carla brought Regina back on stage, who called Karen back up for a surprise. Unbeknownst to her, in addition to all of the toys, coats, clothes, Bye-Bye bags and more that the group had gathered together with the help of sponsors and the community, they presented Karen with a check for $10,000. Obviously moved, Karen said humbly and with emotion, a heartfelt, “I can’t thank you enough.”
Later that afternoon, Vogel Alcove teachers and counselors brought children in to meet Grinch, Mrs. Claus, the Cindy Lou Who actors and the Dallas Magnolias, posed for photos, and were given gifts. Joyful smiles and the spirit of the season filled everyone’s hearts.
The next day, the Dallas Magnolias delivered lunches donated by Sky Creek Kitchen+Bar for all of the Vogel Alcove teachers, staff and counselors along with gift certificates to Starbucks, scarves, gloves and hats, as well as 3,000+ school supplies, and fulfilled the wish list of educational toys for every classroom.
Also representing the Dallas Magnolias at the Holiday Drive event were Anneke Adams, Kimberly Elliott, Kunthear Mam-Douglas, Joella Phillip, Tricia Sims, Cindi Tesseneer and Elizabeth Theis.
Other sponsors included ACPR - Adams Communications Public Relations/Sharon Adams, Homa Ahmed, BDO/Joe Russo and Dr. Carla Russo, Chef Eshfaq Enam Chowdhury/Sky Creek Kitchen+Bar at Delta Hotel, Southlake, Chef’s Produce, Dana Driensky Photography, Danny Campbell Photography, Ellis Modular/Fozi E. Bayoud, Kristi Eakin Design, Neuberger Berman/Langston and Elizabeth Theis, John Pickett and Regina Bruce, Real News Public Relations/Jeff Crilley, Tricia Sims, Susan Posnick Cosmetics, Sysco, Walgreens/Nancy Gambino and W456 Restaurant.
Learn more about the Dallas Magnolias by visiting the website at www.Magnolias.org, CAPTRUST at captrust.com, CAPTRUST Community Foundation at www.captrustcommunityfoundation.org, Robert Griffin III “RG3” Foundation at https://www.rg3foundation.org/, the NFL Foundation at https://www.nflfoundation.org/ and Vogel Alcove at www.VogelAlcove.org
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About Dallas Magnolias: Mission Statement: To provide an active way of helping disadvantaged and underserved youth, the military, veterans, and first responders and their families, victims of domestic violence, and women currently being treated for breast cancer and/or heart disease in Dallas, Waco, and surrounding areas in Texas. www.Magnolias.org
About Robert Griffin III Foundation: Mission: The Robert Griffin III Foundation is a nonprofit foundation that strives to discover, design, and support programs that benefit struggling military families, underprivileged youth, victims of domestic violence, and champions of tackling social injustices around the world.
Vision: To be the beacon of hope for families who are struggling, whether it be from the aftermath of domestic abuse, sacrifices they made for our country through their time in the military, or circumstances that were out of their control.
https://www.rg3foundation.org/
About the CAPTRUST Community Foundation: The CAPTRUST Community Foundation was organized in 2007 to provide CAPTRUST employees with opportunities to participate as a group in community outreach efforts. The foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charity and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. If you would like to donate or learn more about the CAPTRUST Community Foundation, please call 855.649.0943. www.captrustcommunityfoundation.org
About the NFL Foundation: The National Football League Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football. The NFL Foundation - in conjunction with the 32 NFL Clubs - supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support our game. https://www.nflfoundation.org/
About Vogel Alcove:
Vogel Alcove is a 501c3 nonprofit agency which provides therapeutic early childhood services, school-age programs and family support services for homeless children and their families. Since 1987, the agency has served more than 16,000 Dallas-area homeless children. www.VogelAlcove.org
Photos by Danny Campbell and Dana Driensky