Representing the Unity Church of Dallas, Eliza Solender and Gary Scott of Solender/Hall announced that they have completed the sale of a 3.8537-acre site on Forest Lane to CADG Forest Lane 18, LLC, under a contract with Charles Hicks of Hicks III Investments.Unity Church of Dallas plans to stay at its current location at 6525 Forest Lane, but it decided to sell part of its 11-acre site in order to upgrade its property.

Eliza Solender of Solender Hall said, “This sale was a very thoughtful process that we worked on with the church for more than four years. We believe the church and the new residential development will be great neighbors.”

The buyer had to have the property rezoned for planned development, which it did. According to Charles Hicks, who lives in the neighborhood, the property will be developed into 18 custom home sites in a gated community called 6600 Forest Estates. Hicks said, “This development will provide a new housing community to an area where new homes can be built only by acquiring and removing older homes.” Hicks’ company has pre-sold all the lots to a custom homebuilder.

About Solender/Hall:

Since 1991, Solender/Hall has been specializing in the representation of small and medium sized companies and nonprofit organizations in the North Texas area. Find out more at www.solenderhall.com or by calling 214.265.8200.

Methodist Health System Foundation proved to be faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to help build a tall building in a single campaign by exceeding its goal of $20 million for the BrightER capital campaign—the most ambitious fundraising effort in Methodist’s 86 year history. Methodist Foundation celebrated the campaign’s “super” $20,149,612 success on June 12 at the Cloud Nine Café in Reunion Tower with a dazzling display of fun and fantasy. The funds benefit the Charles A. Sammons Tower at Methodist Dallas, which is set to open next month. April Box Chamberlain, president and CEO of Methodist Health System Foundation, and Chris Kleinert, chair of the BrightER Capital Campaign Committee, hosted this special event to thank supporters.

While similar events may come off as stodgy as Clark Kent, this celebration was more akin to Kent’s alter ego — filled with heart-stopping heroics, spectacular surprises, and unforgettable entertainment. It began with a welcome from Kleinert followed by the invocation delivered by Bishop Mike McKee, Bishop of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.    

Kleinert thanked Honorary Co-Chairs Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt and the BrightER campaign committee for their extraordinary efforts, and then made a major announcement. “On September 11, 2012, Methodist broke ground on the Charles A. Sammons Tower, one of the largest investments south of the Trinity River in decades. A $5 million gift from the Charles A. Sammons Foundation began the campaign, and I am pleased to announce that there is a gift that has put the campaign over the $20 million mark. That gift is $750,000 from The Meadows Foundation. In celebration of the campaign and the imminent opening of this extraordinary facility, tonight the Reunion ball will be lit in Methodist colors and signature daisy.”

April Box Chamberlain thanked those in attendance including Methodist leadership, board members, and the Sammons Corporation. “You are all here today because you chose to be a hero, stepping up to the challenge, and meeting the need. Chris Kleinert is one such hero. He agreed to chair this BrightER Campaign on his first visit to Methodist Dallas Medical Center. It was then I named him as our own Clark Kent. Once he saw the vision and understood the importance of what Methodist Dallas and exceptional trauma care means to our entire city, he transformed from a mild mannered businessman to a superhero.”

Chamberlain, along with Dr. Bob Simonson, medical director of emergency services, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, thanked Kleinert and presented him with an honorary white coat.

Chamberlain commented on the perfect view of Methodist Dallas from Cloud Nine at Reunion Tower. Highlighting the view of Methodist Dallas behind her, Chamberlain exclaimed, “Did you see that? Look, up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane?” Dressed in a Superman outfit, (an animated) Chris Kleinert was spotted on top of Methodist Dallas flying toward Reunion Tower. Amidst gasps of excitement, a real Superman arrived and presented his cape to a surprised Chris Kleinert, saying, “This looks like a job for Superman.”

Kleinert thanked Chamberlain and her leadership and then turned the surprise back to Chamberlain by presenting her with her own superhero cape.  To the audience, he said, “All of you are the true heroes. Please see the monitor for a special message from all of us.” Video monitors revealed a plane in clouds above Methodist Dallas skywriting “Thank You” to all the heroes in attendance.

About the Charles A. Sammons Trauma and Critical Care Tower at Methodist Dallas

The $122 million Charles A. Sammons Trauma and Critical Care Tower at Methodist Dallas is scheduled for completion in July. The ground breaking of the center was held on September 11, 2012 in the remembrance of the selfless sacrifice of the first responders who help those in need of critical care. The one-of-a-kind 248,000-square-foot trauma and critical care center will expand the hospital’s emergency department ten-fold and include: 58 new emergency room beds, six trauma suites, eight surgical suites, a 36-bed critical care unit, and the ability to expand to 11 stories of growth. The new tower will serve the 1,500 trauma patients the Methodist Dallas Medical Center helps every year.

Other significant gifts include:

$1,000,000 and above

The Folsom Family

Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt

Sammons Enterprises, Inc.

Pat and Pete Schenkel

Dr. Bob and Jean Smith Foundation

$500,000 - $999,999

John and Nita Ford; Traci and Sean Owen; Tammy and Jim McGowan

Hillcrest Foundation

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation

The Meadows Foundation

$100,000 - $499,000

Dr. Sam Ahn

Atmos Energy

Austin Commercial

Katherine C. Carmody Trust

Hawn Foundation

Hoblitzelle Foundation

Ashlee and Chris Kleinert

Laboratory Physicians Associates

Methodist Dallas Medical Center Auxiliary

The Lupe Murchison Foundation

$50,000 - $99,000

Associates in Surgical Acute Care/Dallas Orthopaedic Trauma Institute

Horace C. Cabe Foundation

Duda Family Foundation

Ernest Dunn, M.D.

Ernst & Young LLC

Dr. Sylvia Hargrave

Heather L. Hunt

Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Guild

Steven and Dawn Moore

Brian J. Ratner Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Seegers Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. Charles M. Sloan

Dr. Emmanuel E. Ubinas- Brache

Photos available at www.methodisthealthsystem.org/supermanphotos

About Methodist Health System

Guided by the founding principles of life, learning and compassion, Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated care to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, and Methodist Family Health Centers are part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at www.methodisthealthsystem.org. Connect with them through Facebook, YouTube and Twitter at www.methodisthealthsystem.org/socialmedia.

About Methodist Dallas

Methodist Dallas Medical Center is a 515-bed hospital located just south of downtown Dallas. The medical center serves as the teaching and referral center for Methodist Health System. Physicians trained at medical schools from across the United States and all over the world participate in Methodist Dallas’ residency programs in internal medicine, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. Designated as a Level II trauma center, Methodist Dallas is a crucial part of the Dallas County trauma plan. The hospital provides a high level of tertiary-care services, including adult trauma care, multi-organ transplant services, nationally rated high-risk infant care, and neuro-critical care. The hospital is a primary recipient of trauma occurring within southwest Dallas and the surrounding region, treating more than 1,500 trauma patients and over 60,000 emergency patients each year from a 150-mile radius. The hospital’s existing 25,000-square-foot Emergency/Trauma Center was last renovated in 1999.  

– The Trains at NorthPark 2014 co-chairs, Jamie Singer and Tia Wynne, are already on a roll with this major holiday fundraiser, with the proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. On May 14, they arranged for a kickoff party at Kira Plastinina’s LUBLU boutique in the Plaza at Preston Center where more than 60 guests attended, sipped champagne and shopped Plastinina’s gorgeous, ultra-feminine designs with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the House. Guests were greeted by handsome waiters serving champagne. While shopping, they noshed on shrimp, rollups, fruit and macaroons.

During the remarks, Jill Cumnock, CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, thanked Kira for hosting such an important fundraiser that raises nearly a third of the budget for the House. Cumnock also announced the 2014 Honorary Trains Co-Chairs Dr. Jeffrey Fearon, and his lovely wife, Regen. Dr. Fearon, a craniofacial surgeon, has treated many children who have stayed at the House.

Singer announced that Bank of Texas was returning for its sixth year as presenting sponsor. Wynne thanked the committee, the sponsors and the board members and announced the dates for this year’s exhibit: Nov. 22, 2014 through Jan. 4, 2015.

Pat Brockette, Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking for Bank of Texas, remarked, “Bank of Texas believes in the important work that Ronald McDonald House of Dallas does in the community, and we are once again proud to be the presenting sponsor.”

The most elaborate miniature toy trains exhibit in Texas, The Trains at NorthPark includes trains rolling across 1,600 feet of track on a journey across America. Many families visit The Trains at NorthPark each season as part of their holiday tradition.

For those interested in underwriting and supporting The Trains at NorthPark, contact Diane Fullingim, Chief Development Officer at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, at 214.624.5365 or dfullingim@rmhdallas.org.

About the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas:

Established in 1981, the House has served as a home-away-from-home for more than 35,000 families of seriously ill or injured children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. By providing a caring, supportive, home-like environment, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow a family to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances. For more information, visit http://www.rmhdallas.org/ or call 214.631.7354.

Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC) announced that Academy Award nominee Viola Davis will be the keynote speaker for its 28^th annual ASC luncheon on Friday, June 20 at noon at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, Chantilly Ballroom. Proceeds benefit the Foundation for the Education of Young Women (FEYW), a network of public schools that support single gender, college preparatory education in order to provide young women, many from economically disadvantaged situations, an opportunity to achieve academic and leadership success. Specifically, the funds will support an internship program at Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, the first FEYW network school in Dallas, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary. 

Viola Davis is best known for her Academy-Award nominated performances in “The Help” and “Doubt,” as well as her role opposite Julia Roberts in “Eat, Pray, Love.” Raised in abject poverty, Davis fell in love with theater early in high school as a form of escape. Her passion and acting talent enabled her to earn a full scholarship to the Young People’s School of the Performing Arts, after which she then attended the prestigious Juilliard School. Davis translated her hard work and dedication to success on Broadway, in television and film and was named one of TIME Magazine’s “most influential people of 2012.”

Kim J. Askew is the event’s honorary chair. She is a long-time leader in the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas and Dallas Bar Association. She has received numerous awards in her profession and serves on the boards of local and national civic, charitable and professional organizations.

Lynn McBee, CEO of FEYW, added, “We thank Attorneys Serving the Community for selecting the Foundation for the Education of Young Women as the beneficiary of this luncheon. Since our founding, we have invested funds and resources with impressive results: 100% of our seniors graduate from high school and 100% are accepted to college. We are also excited to hear from Viola Davis whose story is similar to so many of our young women.”

Attorneys Serving the Community Chairs are Dena DeNooyer Stroh of Murchison Oil & Gas, Inc. and Kelli Hinson of Carrington Coleman.

Dena DeNooyer Stroh said, “Attorneys Serving the Community’s mission is to bring together women lawyers to combine their resources and talents in support of local nonprofit organizations whose programs benefit women, children and families. We cannot think of a more deserving organization to support through this luncheon than the Foundation for the Education of Young Women, whose goal is to develop academic and leadership skills in young women.” 

Former WFAA news anchor Gloria Campos is the mistress of ceremonies for the luncheon and also serves on the FEYW board.

Tickets are available for $100 and sponsor levels start at $1,500. For more information on sponsorships and purchasing tickets, call 214-824-1400 or email Cindy Ryan at cryan@feyw.org.

Special thanks to the following sponsors:

Presenting ($25,000) – Murchison Oil & Gas, Inc.

Crystal ($10,000) – Baron & Budd, P.C.

Platinum ($5,000) – AlixPartners LLP, Kim J. Askew, Lisa Blue Baron, Carrington Coleman, Sidley Austin LLP, Locke Lord LLP, Pryor & Bruce

Gold ($3,000) – Baker Botts, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C., Greenberg Traurig, Haynes & Boone, Jackson Lewis P.C., Jackson Walker LLP, Jones Day, McKool Smith, Strasburger & Price LLP, Thompson & Knight Foundation, TXU Energy, Winstead PC

Media Sponsors – D CEO and Texas Lawyer

About the Foundation for the Education of Young Women:

FEYW’s mission is to partner with urban school districts to create a network of all-girls public schools across Texas to give young women the academic and leadership skills to achieve success in college and in life. All FEYW schools have received Exemplary or Recognized ratings from the state of Texas each year. Since the organization’s existence, FEYW has invested funds and resources with impressive results: 100% of seniors graduate from high school and 100% are accepted to college. FEYW first formed a partnership with the Dallas Independent School District and, in 2004, the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School opened. Additional network schools are the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin; the Young Women’s Leadership Academy in San Antonio; the Talkington School for Young Women Leaders in Lubbock; the Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Fort Worth; the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy in Houston. In January 2014, the Foundation added a seventh school, the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) at Bill Arnold Middle School in Grand Prairie. Combined, the schools’ graduating classes have received more than $17 million in scholarships. More information can be found at  http://www.feyw.org/ or by calling 214.824.1400.

In one deal with big benefits to the community, Solender Hall, a commercial real estate firm specializing in nonprofit transactions, helped two nonprofit organizations remain neighbors next to the Wilson Historic District so that they could expand their work on behalf of North Texas children.

When Educational First Steps (EFS) needed more space to expand its programs, it looked at many options, but the perfect solution was the “for sale” sign across the street from its current location in the Wilson Historic District run by the Meadows Foundation. That “for sale” sign hung on Dallas CASA’s former 7,500 square foot building because that agency also needed more space to meet its growing needs. Dallas CASA was in the process of completing the construction on their new building located at 2757 Swiss Avenue, just around the corner and needed the proceeds from the sale of the Gaston building for their new location.

Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) sold its building at 2815 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75226, to Educational First Steps. EFS moved into the building on May 12. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Eliza Solender of Solender/Hall represented Dallas CASA, while EFS was represented by Michael Rareshide with Partners National Real Estate Group.

Eliza Solender said, "As a real estate broker who specializes in representing nonprofit organizations, there is nothing that gives me greater satisfaction than when two highly regarded agencies complete a buy/sell transaction. I couldn't ask for a better result."  

Educational First Steps transforms existing daycare centers for economically disadvantaged children into nationally accredited preschools with certified teachers.  With this transaction, it nearly doubled its space to 7,500 square feet. “Our vision for this new location is to accelerate the growth of our powerful early childhood programs, focus on 21^st century learning techniques and facilitate community dialogue about the urgent issues of early education and poverty,” said John Breitfeller, Educational First Steps Executive Director.

Dallas CASA, a nonprofit organization of volunteers who serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children, also needed more space to serve additional children. Beverly Levy, Dallas CASA Executive Director & President, said, “We only serve half the children who need an advocate.  Our new building is three times the size of the old one, and having this space will allow us to grow our services and programs to hopefully serve all the children who need a CASA.”

About Solender/Hall:

Since 1991, Solender/Hall, an award-winning commercial real estate firm, has specialized in representing small and medium sized companies and nonprofit organizations in the North Texas area. Find out more at www.solenderhall.com or by calling 214.265.8200.

About Dallas CASA:         

Established in 1979, Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a private nonprofit organization of volunteers who serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children.  Volunteers are trained to gather information and make recommendations that help judges decide what is best for each child. CASA volunteers help ensure that abused and neglected children have the best chance of finding safe, permanent homes where they can thrive. In 2013, 698 volunteer advocates were assigned to cases involving 1,869 children in Dallas County. To learn more about advocating for abused and neglected children, visit dallascasa.org or call 214-827-8961.

About Educational First Steps:

Educational First Steps improves the quality and availability of early childhood education for economically disadvantaged children. Founded in 1990, the nonprofit organization transforms daycare centers in North Texas’ most vulnerable neighborhoods into nationally accredited preschools with trained professional early childhood educators. Educational First Steps serves more than 4,200 at-risk children and 700 teachers in 325 classrooms in close to 90 facilities in Dallas and Tarrant County, providing in-classroom mentoring, quality education tools and professional teacher training. For information, visit www.educationalfirststeps.org or call (214) 824-7940.