The leaves are beginning to fall and we are holding our breath for the first crisp autumn day. As the official first week of fall has passed, there are already opportunities to make Thanksgiving memorable for families in a difficult season of their own. Last year, your generosity allowed GRACE to provide 492 Thanksgiving meals and 440 Christmas meals to families in the midst of hardship. To let that Thanksgiving statistic sink in, imagine hundreds of tables filled with grateful children and their parents who, despite some trials, are able to gather together and enjoy a warm turkey and the abundance of Thanksgiving trimmings families look forward to every year. Collecting holiday food is ideal project for church congregations and small groups, civic groups, service clubs and troops. There is a specific Holiday Needs List that is seasonal, and an ongoing Food Pantry List that is updated each month to reflect

If you are a sucker for gorgeous jewelry pieces, or know someone who is, we have a brilliant reason to treat yourself. On October 10 you are invited to celebrate with us for Kendra Scott’s Sips, Sweets and Jewels soirée, with 20% of the sales proceeds supporting GRACE programs. Think of this as precursor event, since Kendra Scott will be teaming up with GRACE again the night of the GRACE Gala for the ever-popular Jewelry Pull on October 22. Patrons have the chance to donate $50 and draw a stunning custom piece valued between $50-$200. There is no doubt the Jewelry Pull will sell out fast again, so be sure to stop by the Silent Auction area to claim your treasure. This event is just one jewel in Kendra’s crown. Kendra Scott has partnered with GRACE on numerous occasions, including the Park Place Lexus Christmas Toy Drive and the Grand Opening event

It’s always encouraging to know that people from across the nation have a heart for our local community. Our unique position as a desirable hot spot for conventions and other national functions allow guests to learn about this wonderful community and ways to serve together. ASEA asked their sales associates from around the country to donate hygiene items at their convention for their ASEA Advancing Life Foundations Have an Impact, Make a Difference Day. “We created this day to find ways to give back in the local communities,” said Chairman of the Board for ASEA KimMarie Larson. “We don’t need to go to a third world country or have millions of dollars to make an impact; we feel it is important for people to realize that we have needs in our own backyards.” ASEA also enlisted the help of the Gaylord Texan and Grapevine CVB to hit their goal of

Another Broken Egg Café, Southlake’s newest breakfast joint is giving us another delicious reason to enjoy gourmet omelets, eggs benedict and biscuit beignets. As a prelude to their Grand Opening, Another Broken Egg Café is extending the invitation for a friends and family event on Saturday, October 1 from 9am to 1pm for free breakfast. All voluntary tips and donations will be given to fund GRACE programs. Another Broken Egg Café was established in 1996 in a century-year old cottage in the historic parish of Mandeville, Louisiana. The unique spin on classic breakfast dishes has been a hit nationwide, boasting dozens of U.S. locations and two in the DFW Metroplex. We are excited to celebrate with Another Broken Egg Café and thank them in advance for allowing us as their guests on behalf of the clients we serve. To make an impact, be sure to make your reservation online for

Special guests enjoyed a memorable evening at the enchanting estate of Hilda and Aslam Khan during the 2016 GRACE Gala VIP Party. The treasured evening takes place each year to honor foundational sponsors, donors and volunteers of the GRACE Gala, which allow all proceeds of the event to directly benefit GRACE programs. VIP Party host Aslam Khan is the CEO of Falcon Holdings and the largest franchise owner of Church’s Chicken, among other ventures. The humble host, who was born in an impoverished hamlet in Pakistan, escaped destitution by his fierce zeal for knowledge and unstoppable drive to excel. The example of this remarkable family reminds us of the rich potential from within, and that no individual is beyond hope with God’s provision. Other special guests were honored, including 2016 Gala Chairs Ashley and Andy Cunningham, and the 2016 Angel of GRACE recipient, which will be formally announced the night

If fashion is the universal language of women, there were was no shortage of winsome exchange during the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division Fashion show, hosted by Style & GRACE. The sponsored GRACE event was held at Messina Hof winery in Grapevine this week to address meeting updates, share the message of GRACE, and of course, enjoy some fashionable finds over lunch with friends. GRACE Executive Director Shonda Schaefer spoke and extended her thanks to the countless hours of volunteer service the Women’s Division members have invested on behalf of GRACE families. The two notable causes the Women’s Division invests in are the Christmas Spirit campaign, which shows love to isolated seniors over the Christmas holiday, and the Back to School Campaign, which works to equip all elementary students for the new school year. Style & GRACE had the chance to showcase the stunning formal fashions for a fraction

Yesterday members of the community seized the opportunity to have their online donation maximized through North Texas Giving Day, an online giving campaign that amplifies individual gifts by a pool of $2.5 million in funds for charities across North Texas. We are grateful to the 153 donors who invested a record-breaking $33,200 in 2016! All the funds will be amplified soon when the final tallies are made by the Communities Foundation. The one-day cyber event boosts donations of $25 or more, making every dollar work harder to ensure the vital needs of each family in our community are met. We realize that your resources are precious, so we are truly grateful to those who have made such a meaningful investment in the lives of others. We promise to be wise stewards of the funds given, so more families can find hope during a troubling season. If you missed out on North

North Texas Giving Day is finally here—giving you the chance to make an even bigger impact with your online donation amplified from a pool of $2.5 million dollars! This one-day cyber event from 6 a.m. to midnight on Thursday, September 22 boosts donations of $25 or more so that every cent reaches its maximum potential to help families in need. $25 Provides one senior with commodities for a week $50 Provides one child with a new backpack and supplies for the new school year $100 Delivers diabetes treatment for a family’s sole wage earner for a week $300 Gives a home to a domestic violence victim and her children for a week We know that your resources are precious. With more than 82 cents of every dollar devoted directly to providing food, clothing, shelter and medical attention to struggling families, GRACE continually strives to be leading stewards of God’s blessings

The Thompson Group at Classic Chevrolet has such a trademark reputation for community engagement, that their philanthropic business model and company culture are one in the same. As the Title Sponsor for the GRACE Gala for the ninth consecutive year, The Thompson Group at Classic Chevrolet has been instrumental in the success of the GRACE Gala, GRACE’s primary funding event that sustains programs throughout the year. Classic Chevrolet’s involvement has extended beyond the Gala. Ken Thompson has instilled a spirit of giving with their employees through a generous Employee Giving Campaign, a legacy that began when owners Tom and Susan Durant matched each employee gift dollar for dollar. In 2012 a committee was formed by the employees to take the effort to the next level, which launched Classic’s Annual Golf Tournament. All proceeds from this year’s event fund nine charities, including GRACE. Proceeds have increased each year, raising a collective $1,257,148 thus