Alford Media Services hosted its 20th annual Chili cook-off event last weekend, and not only was the event a success, but the fun everyone had was even sweeter. Alford Media is a group of dedicated event technology specialists that provide solutions across the world for their clients. Their technical expertise on challenging events, experienced precision on large-scale shows, and exceptional onsite engineers provide real-time quality for everyone to enjoy. As a longtime supporter of the GRACE mission, Alford serves the community in many ways. From contributing generously to GRACE to their efforts in running the audio and visual of GRACE special events including GRACE’s Designer Bags & Bingo and the GRACE Gala, we know that we can count on Alford Media to always have our backs in helping out the community. As part of their company’s culture of fostering teamwork and creating a family atmosphere, Alford loves hosting their annual

Despite rainy skies and close to freezing temps, Christmas Cottage move-in was a success! Our fearless volunteers worked tirelessly to move all the Cottage necessities into the amazing new space. Now that all the pieces are in one place, we need YOUR help bringing it to life! Each year, GRACE is able to provide over 2,700 children and parents with Christmas gifts for the holidays. This dignified experience allows for moms and dads to select new, unwrapped gifts for their children that they can take home and prepare to put under the Christmas tree. Of course, this program would not possible without the help and support of the community. We need your help in the following ways:   Volunteer We would love for you or your group to help out at the Christmas Cottage. Lots of shifts are available! Please sign up today by contacting the Volunteer SIGN UP GENIUS

GRACE would like to welcome our new Stewardship Manager, Lori Eilers. Lori grew up in Tewksbury, New Jersey where she attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and majored in English with a minor in business. She went on to Drew University to get her Masters in English Literature. Before joining the GRACE team, Lori worked as a Speech Writer in Washington D.C. This experience is what she say says “provided her with a stark insight as to how categorically we are poised and challenged, to all work together.” As the Stewardship Manager, Lori handles multiple projects at once. She prides herself on being able to assist in developing relationships with GRACE’s generous constituents because of the fundamental part that they play in GRACE’s ability to serve the community. Lori is motivated by the true element of serving the community and the wholehearted feeling that comes with it. “I believe that we must

15 years ago, Subaru created the Share the Love Event as a way to help those who need it most. For every new vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to a charity of the dealership’s choice. Thanks to Five Star Subaru, for the fifth year in a row, GRACE is so excited to be selected as one of the beneficiaries for this event! Each year since its conception in 2008, Subaru customers and staff come together to make an impact on the community through the Share the Love Event. Through this wonderful event, more than $200 million has been donated to a host of national and hometown charities. Starting November 17th – January 3rd, Share the Love will put new owners in the driver seat when it comes to selecting which charity or charities are to receive a donation from Subaru on their behalf. “We are so thankful

And just like that, the 19th annual GRACE Gala is officially in the books. On a night that was filled with joy, hope, and fun, this year’s Gala will forever go down in history as one of the best. After a very successful 2021 Gala, led by co-chair Ana Erwin and Jessica Cruz, this year co-chairs Sheila and Jason Ridley had the mindset of keeping that same energy alive, and they did. For the (blank year in a row) attendees were delighted to be back at the Fabulous Irving Convention Center to attend the communities premiere black tie event. Inside attendees were met with pre-activities, like the Selfie and Portrait walls, silent auction, wine pull and the highly anticipated Kendra Scott pull, which was sold out within a record 40 minutes. As the ballroom doors opened, a group of children from Compass Church was holding candles while the powerful voice

Please join us for our annual GRACE Christmas Cottage Toy Drive Kick-Off at Park Place Lexus in Grapevine! This festive and fun come-and-go evening event gives the community the opportunity to see friends while mingling among brilliant new cars, enjoying nibbles from Brio Tuscan Bar & Grille, Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen & Mi Cocina and viewing the latest fashions presented by shops of Southlake Town Square, and dropping off new, unwrapped gifts for the GRACE Christmas Cottage. GRACE is most grateful for the longtime partnership and support of Park Place Grapevine. Whether they are volunteering alongside us, sponsoring an event, or hosting a special event on our behalf, we can always count on them to proudly support our community and our mission. The GRACE Christmas Cottage provides new gifts for children and families in a private store-like setting. Each qualified family “shops” using a point system to select toys and books

The weather may not have made up its mind yet, but the holiday season is officially upon us! Before you know it, turkeys will be roasting and presents will be filling the Christmas trees. With that being said, it’s important that we start preparing to help those that need help the most during this time of year. The GRACE Holiday Food Program exists to serve those in need by providing warm meals for families to enjoy over the holidays. Each fall, food baskets including a turkey, fruits, vegetables and kitchen staples for at least four meals are packaged and distributed to those who can’t afford them. The tradition of everyone gathered around a full table is a lineage of sentiment for most families, but for some, it’s just unfeasible.  This year, far too many families will be unable to provide a holiday feast due to the rising cost of living

Calling all volunteers! The holiday season is quickly approaching, and guess what that means? The Christmas Cottage is back in town! In order for families to enjoy a truly magical holiday season, we need your help now! The Christmas Cottage is a GRACE program that provides new, unwrapped gifts to families facing financial hardship due to limited income or a recent emergency. Through the Christmas Cottage, each qualified family is given a hypothetical “budget” that allows parents to “purchase” donated toys, home goods, and appliances in a private, store-like setting. This approach allows families to budget their resources and select unique presents while preserving the family’s dignity. Monday, November 14th from 12 pm – 6 pm, we will need help moving all decorations, tables, and other wonderful items from our storage at Frost Bank to the Christmas Cottage. This wonderful opportunity not only gives you a chance to serve the

The 2022 GRACE Gala is fast approaching, which means the winner of this year’s luxury trip to the Dominican Republic is only days away from being selected! Enjoy a four-night stay for two in an ocean-view room and Winspire booking & concierge service at The Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club in the beautiful Dominican Republic. Located just two hours south of Miami and overflowing with unique history, one-of-a-kind destinations, and cultural experiences unlike any other, the Dominican Republic is a jewel of the Caribbean Sea. Explore a museum, sample local delicacies, sample a cup of Dominican coffee, or enjoy a cigar as you spend each day surrounded by the vibrant culture of this beautiful country and each night soothed to sleep by the sound of the Caribbean Sea. The Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club offers a full-service marina and a vast range of recreational activities and indulgent facilities

With the GRACE Gala this weekend, we would love to introduce one of this year’s emcees for the 19th annual GRACE Gala. We are excited to have back NBC 5’s News Emmy Award-winning journalist and Anchor/Reporter, Laura Harris. The Alabama Native came to the NBC 5 team in 2018, from the ABC affiliate in Tampa, Florida, after a successful run as the Co-Host of the Now Tampa Bay at 4 pm and co-anchor of ABC Action News at 5:30. Some of Laura’s NBC 5 highlights include covering the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021 and helping to start the childhood literacy initiative at NBC 5 Reading With You program. This innovative program encourages elementary-aged children to read at least one book a week throughout the summer to help combat summer learning loss, often referred to as the “summer slide.” This will be Laura’s 3rd year to emcee with GRACE CEO, Shonda Schaefer. The dynamic duo