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

The GRACE Gala is just one week away, and this year’s auction committee, chaired by Kay Allen, has done an amazing job of accepting spectacular donations from the community. Here is a sneak peek at some of the most enjoyable, fascinating, and adventurous silent auction packages that we have this year and are ready for you to bid on right now! One winning bidder will receive a “Night with the Winemaker” from one of the community’s most renowned wineries, Sloan and Williams. A glass of your favorite wine, chef-made tapas, tastings of 10 wines with the winemaker, and a bottle of your favorite wine personally signed by Alan Kunst, the winemaker, are all included in this incredible night out. The Gaylord Texan extends an invitation for you to throw the best Christmas party at their place! You and seven guests will receive free valet parking as well as a six-course meal at Old

The GRACE Gala in and of itself would just be another fantastic party, but it’s the purpose that sets it apart. Corporate partners, local businesses, congregations, families, and individuals utilize their talents and give of their resources to generate event proceeds that sustain GRACE programs throughout the year. The many who give of their energy, expertise, and earnings to generate operational funds is truly remarkable, and we’d like the community to know how amazing they are! We wholeheartedly encourage patronage to local businesses that share the same desire to see families thrive in our community. On behalf of over 5,000 family members GRACE serves each year, thank you for providing support that allows us provide food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care and hope to the downtrodden among us. Thanks to the Following In Kind Gala Sponsors Diamond Sponsor Alford Media Berkey’s NBC 5 Hotel Vin   Ruby Sponsor American Airlines

GRACE welcomes the new Director of Community Engagement, Meredith Martin. Meredith comes to us from many backgrounds, including working with local home builders, real estate consulting, and demographic research for school districts, all of which represent her love of being involved within her beloved community. Speaking of Meredith’s involvement with the community, she was introduced to GRACE as a volunteer, volunteering along with her two children Olivia and Rhett as a part of the National Charity League and the Young Men’s Service League, Southlake Chapters. Meredith took on her role at GRACE three months before the GRACE Gala and hit the ground running instantly. She has already helped plan both the Gifting Party and the VIP Party and is currently working with the GRACE staff and Gala committee to ensure that this year’s Gala is the best one yet. “I am so excited about this year’s Gala,” said Meredith. “Working

Cheers to another successful GRACE VIP Party! Hosted once again by the luxurious Hotel Vin, this year’s Gala sponsors and their guests were back at the beautiful Rioja Terrace rooftop celebrating the GRACE VIP Party in style. Ushers greeted guests with delicious appetizers, wine, and friendly smiles while soft jazz music played throughout the venue. GRACE staff gave recognition and plaques to our amazing sponsors for this year’s Gala. GRACE’s Chief Executive Officer, Shonda Schaefer took to the mic and thanked everyone who could join to celebrate our Gala Sponsors. She announced that mobile bidding for the Gala Auction is now live and that everyone needs to start getting those bids ready! Kay Allen was introduced as this year’s Auction Chair and noted that everyone needs to pre-register so they can start bidding on trips dinners and amazing experiences, Live auction this year will have a few surprises as well.