Part shyness, part humility, part curmudgeon, getting Rusty Thigpen to agree to his own retirement party has been a true labor of love, according to Stacy Pacholick, GRACE Chief Program Officer. Rusty officially retired some time before the first of the year, and several party dates were discussed. A cancellation and a reschedule later, at long last, Rusty will accept honors for his 18 years of service this Thursday, March 5, 6-7 p.m. in the Community Rooms of GRACE Main Offices, 837 East Walnut Street in Grapevine. “We all love him so much,” said Stacy. “We want to take this chance to show him just how much he means to us, and to those who worked with him over the years.” Over 18 years, the number of co-workers, volunteers, and associates from other agencies and suppliers is tremendous. For many at the Tarrant County Food Bank, local soup kitchens, and

Robert Warner’s dedication to the GRACE mission has taken many forms over the past years. With his wife Lynda, Robert has chaired the GRACE Gala, initiated the Family-2-Family program, launched the GRACE Poker Tournament, and recruited dozens of friends to join in GRACE activities. Robert and Lynda were recognized as the GRACE Volunteers of the Year in 2019. Now, GRACE is exceedingly humble and honored to add “Member of the Board of Directors” to his long list of support. Robert was selected by unanimous acclaim at last night’s meeting of the Board. Robert gives selflessly of his time for many projects at school, with other local charities, and his church. He and Lynda have worked with the Carroll Education Foundation and volunteered for numerous activities with Carroll ISD. Robert has worked with White’s Chapel UMC on mission trips, vacation bible school, and as a site coordinator during the White’s Chapel

Josh Matheus at Boi Na Braza is pulling out all the stops to make next week’s Charity Bar event one for the ages! General Manager Josh has taken the idea of “Happy Hour” and turned it into “Ecstatic Hour”! His inaugural Charity Bar will be open 5:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, at the Grapevine location, 4025 William D. Tate Avenue. Tickets are $35 each. Each guest will get two drink tickets, tons of famous Boi Na Braza appetizers, and entry into some great door prize drawings. Seventy-five percent of event sales will go directly to support GRACE. “GRACE is very important to me and my family,” said Josh. “If we can help others—and our guests can have a great time, it’s a perfect night.” Josh is practically guaranteeing perfection. His goal is to sell thirty tickets. If that goal is met, he promises a special gift to every guest. For

GRACE is blessed to have so many local companies come forward to sponsor its fundraising events. Like all other charities, GRACE is humbled to list the names and logos of these companies on programs, websites, and all other promotional benefits. Still, GRACE is quick to remember and credit the generous people behind each sponsorship. It’s not “ABC Company” that is a sponsor, but it was a leader within the company who determined a portion of their hard-earned profits should go to support the GRACE mission. Regardless of the name on the marquee, Brenda Stuckert and Megan Linville have been strong GRACE supporters for many years. Brenda and Megan have brought their commitment to GRACE through three different corporate ownerships since 2009. Now with Vantage Bank, Brenda and Megan have put their support behind the GRACE Volunteer Luncheon, the GRACE Gala, and several fundraising events. Now, add Designer Bags & Bingo

GRACE is humbly blessed to have thousands of volunteers who give of themselves to further its mission. Every year, volunteers serve more than 50,000 hours across the area, in conditions as diverse as the blazing hot Feed Our Kids sites to the piercing cold New Year’s Eve at Donation Station. The Southlake Chapter of National Charity League is one group serving at nearly all GRACE activities and sites year-round. Founded in 1996, the mothers and daughters service group has been central to GRACE programs since its inception. Coming Sunday, March 22 to the Hurst Conference Center, the group hosts its 23rd Annual Fashion Show and Benefit. The theme, “The Greatest Show”, features favorite scenes from the past twenty-two shows. Chad McCoy once again serves as master of ceremonies. Every year the National Charity League (NCL) takes six weeks throughout the summer, mid-June to late-July to serve lunches through the GRACE

Turning 7 years old. Most of us can scarcely imagined what we were thinking when that happened to us. Not so, Esmie Gaughan, a third grader at Heritage Elementary. She was thinking of GRACE and those we serve. At a time when many children think of cakes and candles, toys, dolls, and games to celebrate their birthdays, Esmie asked her friends to give a can or a box of food for the GRACE Food Pantry. A recent article in the “Amazing GRACE Weekly” on the bare shelves at the GRACE Food Pantry touched her mother’s heart, and Esmie’s mother explained the need to her daughter. Esmie passed the word on to her friends, and in a short time instead of collecting things for herself, she was collecting food for the tables of those who had nothing to eat. GRACE is truly just a channel through which the generosity of our

Grapevine’s Boi Na Braza Brazilian Steakhouse is trying something completely new! And bringing GRACE along to benefit! The first ever Charity Bar will take place 5:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 4. Think “Happy Hour for a Great Cause”! The restaurant at 4025 William D. Tate Avenue will welcome guests with two drink tickets, served appetizers like Brazilian cheese bread, beef and chicken sliders, and cheese boards, and a ticket entry for great door prizes. “You can sip, network and give back at the same time,” said general manager Josh Matheus. His vision is a dance with his servers continuously moving around and among his guests with drinks and appetizers. Tickets are $35 each. Seventy-five percent of event sales will go directly to support the GRACE mission. Josh’s goal is to sell thirty tickets. If that goal is met, he promises a special gift to every guest. For more information, Boi Na

Our springtime gala, Designer Bags & Bingo, is still a few months away, but the fine details of the event are all coming together. Good friends Judy and Ted Bilsky at Scratch Kitchen have created a custom menu just for Designer Bags & Bingo. The full menu is a closely-kept secret, but some of the savory offerings may include jalapeno-infused temptations and way-satisfying delights with their secret house seasoning. Rumor has it Ted’s famous Cowboy cookies may make an appearance be on the sweets bar, along with a number of other enjoyments. Ted has volunteered to curate the wines for the evening to make sure the pairings match perfectly, and the bubbly keeps flowing to pleased palates. “Scratch Kitchen is so much a part of the GRACE family,” said Shonda Schaefer, GRACE Chief Executive Officer. “Ted, Judy and their crew at Scratch Kitchen have supported every one of our events

One Safe Place, a comprehensive crime prevention agency, has started providing coordinated services full-time at GRACE. The agency provides services to victims of domestic violence and their children including danger assessment, safety planning, service planning, and referrals to more than 20 One Safe Place partner agencies. This is the first time in its history One Safe Place has reached beyond its Fort Worth-based center to establish full-time services. Client Services Specialists from One Safe Place will be available at GRACE 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The agency has been a strong partner with GRACE for many years. One Safe Place provided services on a virtual “on-call” basis when GRACE officed at the Shady Brook location. When GRACE moved to its new location on East Walnut Street in 2018, One Safe Place began scheduling intake and services specialists one day a week. Since that time GRACE

Standing straight, tall, and imposing, Dallas Cowboys and TCU legend Bob Lilly looked like he could still mow through an offensive lineman and sack a quarterback at the age of 80. “Mr. Cowboy” headlined the second annual Mission In the Marketplace seminar last night at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church. The evening began with an inspiring presentation from “Dr. V”, Dr. Veronica Cochran, a pastor at Encounter Church in Fort Worth, and CEO of the Association of Administrative Professionals. Her message focused on leadership and especially those leaders who “Dispense hope and are willing to offer themselves to make it a reality.” Chad Hennings, three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys and US Air Force fighter pilot, followed Dr. V and shared touching memories about how he realized the need for a relationship with God when he “found the end of myself”. Chad and his Wingmen Ministries have taken