The 33rd Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, hosted by the Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, honors some of Dallas’ most outstanding philanthropists and volunteers
Over the past four years, the mighty Mistlecrew, which consists of Stella Wrubel, 12, Quinn Graves, 13, Trevor Godkin, 13, Isabella Dickason, 13, has put nearly 300,000 nutritious meals on the tables of hungry North Texans by selling mistletoe in the winter. On November 9, the group will be honored with the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award, at the 33rd Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon “Stories Worth Telling,” 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, Reunion Ballroom. This annual event celebrates Dallas’ National Philanthropy Day, bringing together area nonprofits, volunteers, funders, foundations, business and community members to honor many of this city’s finest who give selflessly in support of numerous worthy causes.
Nominated by The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), the Mistlecrew is already hard at work for this season’s effort planning this year’s mistletoe sales December 20-23, at Highland Park Village, in front of Royal Blue Grocery. The mistletoe campaign first began in 2012 when Hurricane Sandy struck New York City. Then 6-year-old Stella Wrubel wanted to help her friends and family on the East Coast but was not sure what a kid could do. Her parents suggested a lemonade stand, but Wrubel had a different idea: decorate mistletoe with bows and bells and sell it in the front yard. That first year she raised $2,034 for the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief. In 2013 she recruited more friends and raised $8,421.
After Wrubel and her friend Quinn Graves were introduced to NTFB, and they discovered how the organization helped children their own age, their bond with the NTFB was sealed. That next year the duo was more energized than ever to help fight hunger, and they formed a multi-generational team that cut down and sold even more mistletoe. In December 2014, they set up stands in Highland Park Village and raised $18,000. From 2015-2017, the kids in the red hats raised $131,081.57, providing 393,245 meals. Every fall, the fab four are dedicated to planning, organizing and implementing this fundraising model. It is their goal that children all over the country will follow their lead and sell mistletoe in front of grocery stores helping fight hunger nationwide. Together in 2017, the mistlecrew raised over $60,000 to provide 180,000 nutritious meals to hungry children, families and seniors. The goal for 2018 is $70,000, and they are already deep into preparations to beat their goal.
The Jingle Bell Mistletoe Campaign is an innovative approach to empowering children to lead the fight against hunger in North Texas. Utilizing social media during mistletoe season, the group encourages people to post selfies with their mistletoe purchases and the hashtag #KissAndTella. Additionally, they collect donations online and via a text-to-donate service. As the fundraiser grows annually, the group recruits more friends to help with sales. They hope their fundraising model will be replicated by other children, and they encourage their peers to find other ways to give back.
Godkin (Preston Hollow resident) and Dickason (North Dallas resident) are both students at Parish Episcopal School; Wrubel (Park Cities resident) attends Hockaday; and Graves (Preston Hollow resident) attends The Greenhill School.
“These passionate kids are committed to making a difference with the audacious attitude that nothing can stop them, and nothing has,” said Jeffrey King, associate director of individual giving, NTFB. “We are honored to count them as a friend and partner in our mission and the belief that one meal makes a difference.”
The luncheon, which is sponsored by South Texas Money Management (STMM), will honor five additional recipients:
Outstanding Philanthropist Jack Furst, nominated by the Boy Scouts of America, gives his time, talent and treasure quietly and without hesitation to make the world a better place.
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Kaki Hopkins, nominated by the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, has been a dedicated volunteer for almost 40 years for more than 14 organizations – chairing an event a year and often asked to chair the same events multiple times.
Outstanding Foundation Joe M. and Doris R. Dealey Family Foundation, nominated by Texas Health Resources,wasfounded to honor the late Joe and Doris Dealey. Today it carries the family’s philanthropic legacy forward by continuing its support of numerous community organizations and institutions including Texas Health Resources, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Dallas Foundation, Dallas Heritage Village, The Dallas Historical Society, Parkland Foundation, SPCA of Texas, and many more.
Outstanding Corporation Pioneer Natural Resources, nominated by Dallas CASA and Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, has created a corporate culture that strives to improve communities and help children succeed in school, the workforce, and life.
Outstanding Fundraising Executive Luanne Samuel, CFRE, nominated by Jana Haigood of the Alcuin School, has over 24 years of fundraising experience.
“Dallas citizens are passionate, driven, and generous volunteers and philanthropists, but that’s not enough,” said Jeanie Wyatt, CFA, STMM’s founder and CEO. “We depend on our nonprofits to meet so many of our city’s most basic needs. With over 1,000 nonprofits throughout Dallas, it’s vital that we have a professional organization, like AFP, helping nonprofit fundraising professionals raise more money and do it in effective and ethical ways.”
The Greater Dallas Chapter of AFP was among the first to begin celebrating National Philanthropy Day in 1981. Today, over 500 attend the luncheon which includes AFP members and community leaders. National Philanthropy Day celebrates the great contributions philanthropy, and those who work in the philanthropic process, make to our community. AFP Chapters involve more than 28,000 individuals in celebrating philanthropy each year.
“STMM is pleased to sponsor the Greater Dallas AFP for the fourth consecutive year,” said Stan Shipley, President and CEO, STMM Family Office. “AFP upholds the highest ethical fundraising and, importantly, effective fundraising. We are pleased to support AFP chapters around Texas including Austin, Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and the Greater Plains Chapter."
Sponsors to date are: $10,000 (presenting sponsor): South Texas Money Management; $7,500 (luncheon sponsor): Boy Scouts of America; $5,000 (awards sponsors): Boy Scouts of America, Chick-fil-A Foundation, ClubCorp, Texas Capital Bank, Texas Health Resources; $2,500 (community sponsors): M. Gale & Associates, LLC, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas; $1,500 (reception sponsor): The Color of Money.
The luncheon is chaired by William Bryant and will be emceed by longtime supporter Scott Murray. Murray Media, in-kind sponsor of the luncheon, produces the luncheon videos featuring the accomplishments of each award recipient. Rodney D. Bullard, Vice President of Community Affairs for Chick-fil-A, Inc. and Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation, will provide executive remarks.
“National Philanthropy Day is a day to remember and recognize the impact philanthropy – charitable giving, volunteering and engagement – has made in our world,” said Luncheon Chair William Bryant. “This day was first celebrated in 1986 in the U.S. with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan. We hope you will join us in paying tribute to those who make the city of Dallas such a vibrant philanthropic community.”
Luncheon tickets are $95. For tickets and sponsorships, visit afpdallas.orgorcontactMadeleine Crouch at 972-233-9107, ext. 204, afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.