One of the treasures in Frisco is Frisco Family Services Center.  One might have a perception of a line of people looking for a hand out…THINK AGAIN.  This nonprofit organization is serving the people of Frisco – our friends and neighbors who have been struck the change in the economy, laid off, devastated by medical bills, caught in the crunch of a divorce or death of a spouse…the reasons can go on and on.  The bottom line is these are people just like us in need.  Frisco Family Services Center is there to help them pick up the pieces one by one with pride.  Volunteers tirelessly stock the food pantry, work the phones for government assistance, counsel clients on solutions and most of all making sure each client and their family feels valued and hopeful.

It is our responsibility to support Frisco Family Services Center as it strives each day to meet higher demand with less funding and resources.  There are numerous ways to get involved and today we offer one and it will inspire you!

Frisco Family Services Center earns most of its annual operating budget from their gala, this year themed, SALSA NIGHTS presented by AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (more about them below).  Shake off the reality of today, raise a festival hem and get ready for a night of fun on Saturday April 17, 2010 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco.  This is serious  — more than 900 guests are expected to attend which will make the salsa more exciting and the auction more competitive than ever!

Live music from Dallas’ top party band, Signed Sealed Delivered with make you shake it!  The casino will shake your dice and the bar will shake your cocktail!  Each year Frisco area restaurant host a sampling table to share their support our friends in need and allow you to taste the best of Frisco.  A gala is not complete without an auction of jewelry, sporting event tickets, furniture, entertainment, vacations, clothing, spa treatments, unique theme baskets and more.

One of my favorite parts of this gala is the LUXURY RAFFLE.  This year your $50 tickets gives you the chance to win a $10,000 Visa gift card or a 5 night vacation in Paris, France complete with a LeCordon Bleu experience.  OUI OUI!

(Only 1,500 tickets will be sold and the winner need not be present to win.)

“In a year when client numbers have increased by 30% and we are anticipating serving more than 6,000 individuals by year-end, the support of our sponsors and the talents and dedication of committee members will ensure that we raise the funding needed to continue the work of Frisco Family Services Center,” shares Joni Klarin,  development  Director of FFSC (and better known as Sunshine to me!)

AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group GETS IT!

Demonstrating their support of the Frisco community and FFSC since moving their headquarters to Frisco in 2007, AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group will be this year’s Title Sponsor for Frisco Family Services’ Gala 2010, SALSA NIGHTS.  “It is a pleasure and privilege to continue our support by sponsoring the gala again in 2010,” states Mike Mullen, CEO of ABSG.

OTHERS WHO GET IT!

Other major sponsors showing their support include: Dr Pepper Arena, Advanced Fixtures Incorporated, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, Baylor Medical Center at Frisco, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Rent-A-Center, Sam Roach Business Center, Strasburger & Price, LLP, Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Joplin, P.C., Andre Johnson Charitable Foundation, and Centennial Medical Center, signature media sponsor Frisco Style Magazine, media sponsors: Star Community Newspaper and Krystle Klear Designs.

WOMEN MAKING IT HAPPEN

Stepping forward to chair this year’s exclusive event is Lora Hess and Val Maso.  With years of service combined, these great women are taking the lead for an amazing evening!

BRINGING IN THE GOODS

This year’s auction chairs, Jennifer Kimble and Randy Forwark along with their team, have been hard at work to offer gala attendees one of the best auctions yet!  This could be the most thankless and hardest job – so if you know these folks or even if you don’t – send them a shout out for making a difference!

THEY GOT THE LOOK

The challenge of transforming the Dr Pepper Arena into a Latin infused, inspire environment for this important event is no small task.  Diane Baker and Diane Snell have joined forces to share their gift for the “look” and will WOW guests with a memorable event!

SALSA BITES

Restaurant Partner Chairs Deina McNabb and Melissa Lenhardt have been busy getting restaurants on board for guests to sample:  Cristina’s, Hooters, Palio’s Pizza, PF Changs, Jason’s Deli, III Dimensional Catering, Lochrann’s, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion and more.

A TISKET A BASKET
I love these darn baskets – causes my bid stickers to fly off the page!  Basket Chairs Randi Villapando and Nancy Aitken are working hard assembling and assembling these wonderful themed baskets for the auction.

SHAKIN’ & SHIMMIE

Ligia Zimmerman, Melanie Reneau, and Sheacy Thompson, the Entertainment Chairs, have some exciting plans for entertainment like sizzling salsa dancing, live music, casino, cigar rolling and more.

WINNING TICKET

Talk about a big job, Annette Stewart and Sandy Shell, the Luxury Raffle Chairs and their committee; have taken on the task of selling 1500 raffle tickets for the opportunity to win a $10,000 Visa Gift Card or a Vacation in Paris.

FLUFF

This newly formed committee led by Julie Egan is responsible for creatively making all of the auction and basket tags using their scrapbooking and creative expertise to add a sizzle to the evening.

BEHIND THE SCENE, CURTAINS AND IN BETWEEN

Daphne Arnold, Cheryl Ball, Pam Barnes, Laurie Biddle, Antoinique Bowman, Fung Chang, Bonnie Gillett, Stephanie Kardon, Gloria Novocilsky, Sarah Packard, Amy Reid, LaDawn Wilkins, Chris Bond, Jo Ann Borst, Linda Callender-Smith, Karen Cunningham, Kris Daniel, Sara Folden, Laverne Forwark, Amber Futrell, Maria Garavito, Melva Gardner, Donna Gors, Cathy Green, Karen Griggsby, Phoebe Hall, Ann Harris, Angela Hurwich, Jean Ivey, Diana Jarvis, Angela Jiura, Patti Kilmer, Michelle Martin, Erin Meltaberger, Janet Newell, Chrissy Obenberger, Ronny O’Brien, Shirley Ponder, Shanna Richardson, William Sampson, Joseph Scott, Krysti Scott, DeeDee Thompson,
Sheacy Thompson, Krystle Thurston-Berry, Vicki Travis, Christie Vasquez, Barbara Walter, Bea Warner, Sarah Wayland, Keith Wright, Veronica Wright, Mindy Hatzmann, Jewell Stewart

Enough said….get your tickets NOW!

General reservations are $75 per person or $1000 for a reserved table for 10.  With another sell out expected, make your reservations now and get your raffle tickets soon! For more information on sponsoring, donating an auction item, or to purchase tickets, visit www.friscocenter.org or call 972-335-9495.