The streets were wet and the temperatures were flirting with the lower part of thermometers to get those furs out of storage Tuesday, November 5. While some headed to Harlan Crow’s library for the Sons of the Flag reception, others were valet-parking in front of the Joule to visit the Traffic LA three bears — his, hers and everybody’s boutiques — that Matthew Simon is overseeing with a twinkle in his eye and his clientele billing and cooing.
Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones and Kay Bailey Hutchison
On the other hand, hundreds were at the Ritz-Carlton for Dallas CASA’s “Champions for Children” dinner. There was a VIP reception for honorees Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones in the Oak and Cedar rooms, but it seemed to just be an extension of the main reception in the lobby. Nobody was ID-ed or turned away. Rather the honorees greeted all like old buds, including Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. While Trevor excused himself to get a beer before heading into the ballroom, Jan graciously accepted congratulations with a beauty queen smile.
Jan Rees-Jones
After the doors to the ballroom opened, the crowd of volunteers, supporters and judges with medals on red, white and blue necklaces continued the cocktail conversation inside.
Woody McMinn, Scott and Paula Orr, Jay and Vickie Utley and Mindy McMinn
When the guests including John Wiley Price, Debbie and Nickey Oates, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Billie Leigh Rippey, Marla and Mike Boone, Christie Carter, Sarah Losinger, Mindy and Woody McMinn, Paul and Jay Utley and Marnie and Kern Wildenthal finally took their seats and the program got underway, Event Co-Chairs Robin and Bill Smith welcomed the audience and introduced CASA Board of Directors Chair Mark Berg, who hinted that big plans would be announced later. He then introduced Kay B.H., who said that she was indeed honored to be part of the dinner presenting the Judge Barefoot Sanders Champions for Children Award to the Rees-Joneses. She told how when she was in the Senate, they were able to “find a little money — not as much as Trevor and Jan have been able to do! — for this great organization [CASA] to start chapters around the country.” Kay added, “It’s not like they [Jan and Trevor] were given everything. They worked so hard for everything and made strategic decisions to give back.”
At dinner tables the conversation was on the occasion and the CASA mission. Dallas County Truancy Court magistrate Larry Rayford described his handling of youngsters who come before him. He asks, “What’s going on?” For some kids, this opens up the reason they’ve missed school. It may be family problems, their own frustrations with school or a problems that can be handled in better ways than having the book thrown at them. Having grown up in the projects of Detroit, Larry appreciates the challenges of youngsters, especially 15-, 16- and 17-year olds.
Young man and his CASA
Following dinner and a video spotlighting the work done by the advocacy volunteers, one of the young people whose life had made a dramatic change thanks to his advocate stepped up to the podium with “his CASA.” Brushing away tears, he thanked those in attendance for providing the CASA program and his CASA. As the young man left with his CASA’s arm around him, the audience responded to his thank-you with a standing ovation.
CASA Executive Director/President Beverly Levy then recalled when Jan found out about the extent of child abuse and neglect taking place, she said, “I understand. But where is the outrage?” Beverly announced that CASA’s goal was to have an advocate for every child in the area that needs one by 2020 adding, “What are we waiting for?”
Trevor and Jan Rees-Jones and Beverly Levy
She then presented the Champions for Children award to the Rees-Joneses, who have provided major funding for area children’s programs. With his deep Texas accented voice, Trevor admitted total disgust at the “heinous” crimes against children with which CASA deals. Looking out into the audience, he said, “We thank you so much. We can’t thank you enough. We want to thank you for all you do.” He continued saying, “We define ourselves as a people and society by how we respond to those with very tragic circumstances, the most vulnerable among us, who have every right to believe that their parents will take care of them and protect them. When that fails, we have a responsibility to step up and help them recover.”
It was a brief acceptance speech, but it was on target with strength.
Campaign for Dallas CASA Chair Jim Lozier then announced the launch of a capital campaign for $37M. While some in the audience took a deep breath trying to get their arms around that number, Jim explained why this money was so important. In 2013 CASA served 1,750 kids, about 40% of those who needed CASA. They’re projecting that by 2018 they will need to double their capacity to handle 3,500 children. By 2019, they hope to serve 100% of kids who need them. To do this, they have to do more than double the number of volunteers from 700 to 1,400 and their resources. This will cost $78M over the next 10 years; $41M of that will be generated “naturally,” organically.
Still the shock of the $37M! To the relief of most in the room, Jim said they had already raised $30M of it. An anonymous foundation had offered CASA $10M as a matching challenge. Thanks to $1M gifts from Pioneer Natural Resources and the Annette and Harold Simmons Foundation; a $7.5M commitment over the next five years from the Rees-Jones Foundation; gifts totaling $400K from others; and an additional $2.5M raised by the board, the challenge was met.
In the months ahead, the focus would be on raising the remaining $7M.
Sarah Losinger and Christie Carter
In the meantime, thanks to the CASA underwriting committee (Robin and Bill, Greg May, Scott Orr, Mark S. Berg, Christie Carter and Linda Swartz), the evening raised $435,000 for its “general operating fund to recruit, train and supervise volunteers, who are voices in court for abused children.”
Yes, it was a lot to absorb, but it was all good news.
Coffee and hot chocolate bar
Table of sweet to-go and rubber duckies
A tip o’ the hat to event organizers: As guests headed for the valet, they discovered a roped-off area to queue up for their vehicles. While the line extended around the room, there was an oasis along the way. In addition to a couple of coffee bars complete with the most delicious hot chocolate, there was a table filled with sweets, complete with to-go boxes and CASA rubber duckies. Perfect for waiting in line and munching on the way home. Sure, there was a wait for cars, but the pain was a lot less thanks to a hospitable sweet touch.