Abused children have lived through hell on earth.  Not only have they experienced the trauma of abuse, but removal from their homes – as dysfunctional and violent as the homes may have been – can add to their trauma.

A group of Dallas-area interior designer

s are hoping to bring some comfort, peace, and tranquility to abused, abandoned and neglected children.

On Monday, June 7, 2010, volunteer members of the Interior Design Society DFW Chapter completed an interior renovation of the Mike Modano Cottage at Jonathan’s Place in Garland, benefitting the children and families of domestic abuse in the Dallas area.

Jonathan’s Place is a “home-style” emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children who have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services. The emergency shelter provides specialized services and 24-hour residential care to children age newborn to 17 years, and is the only emergency shelter in Dallas County that provides residential services for children in crisis who are under the age of 10.

The interior designers of IDS solicited donations from their generous trade resources and sold ads on their website to raise funds. Then they created and implemented a design plan to renovate and refresh the cottage which was showing some wear and tear.  As a result, the group was able to install new hardwood floors, custom bedding and window treatments, hand painted murals, and new furniture. The interior designers feel honored to be able to brighten the lives of the children who pass through this shelter on their journey toward new and loving homes.

Traci Connell, DFW Chapter President of IDS, stated, “As a group of local interior designers, we are thrilled to use our collective talent to make a difference in the lives of little ones in the Dallas area. We hope that the newly-improved Mike Modano Cottage will cheerfully house many children who are hoping for a brighter future. We are very proud and honored to have participated in such a worthy effort.”

IDS members who participated in the project were Traci Connell, President; Dot Greenlee, Barbara Gilbert, Co-Vice Presidents; Kendra Favors,  Secretary; Betty Malone, Treasurer; as well as Kristy Mastrandonas, Alba Dorsch, Sheri Martin, Lori Withey, Candis McKinzie, Kathy Prior, Rita Aritam, Ann Marie Haynes, Nicole Arnold, Denise Piaschyk, and Patricia Weithers.  Special gratitude goes to Ashlynn Bourque with Sherwin Williams, Craig Favors with Inside Expressions, Kasmir Fabrics, ProSource Flooring, Leann Baker Photography, Missy Thornton, Damion Brooker, and muralist Heather Jennings.

Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County has served over 31,000 children providing safety, healing and justice to children victimized by neglect or abuse.  None would be possible without the annual gala which is the largest revenue source for the Children Advocacy Center.

For the second year in a row, community volunteer and philanthropist (and future WCR roadie…), Carolyn Speese, chaired the dynamic event engaging sponsors and guests to give generously.  At Carolyn’s side was her family and husband, Mark Speese who serves as President of the Children’s Advocacy Center board of directors and CEO of Rent-A-Center, ROCK ON Gala’s presenting sponsor.

This year’s theme brought down the house and iphones were lighting up the room for the 2010 ROCK ON GALA featuring the World Classic Rockers (WCR) at the Hilton Anatole on April 24, 2010.  More than 700 guests wearing black tie attire with hints of rock n’ roll like black leather, lace, long chains, stilettos and always lots of bling.   And tattoos!  The biggest hit of the night may have been the airbrush tattoo station.  WCR enjoys a cult-following with artists consisting of former band members from Santana, Journey, Boston, Steppenwolf, Toto, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.   How often are guests on stage with the band jammin’?  The ROCK ON GALA made dreams come true for those inner rockers as well as the thousands of children who will be served with the generous donations totaling more than $1 million.

During the Wings of Hope program, guests were encouraged to give $500 per child to provide a 6 month course of therapy.  An anonymous donor challenged the ballroom to raise $100,000 and it would be matched dollar for dollar.  Only a few minutes later, the goal was exceeded!

Complete sponsor list below.

“On behalf of all involved at the Children’s Advocacy Center and the children we serve, thank you to the selfless volunteers, generous sponsors the Speese family, and all the people in the community, who were all instrumental in the ROCK ON Gala success to provide funds and awareness for the safety, healing and justice of children victimized by neglect or abuse,” states Lynne McLean, CEO of Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County.

Celebrity emcees included Kellie Rasberry and Big Al Mac of the Kidd Kraddick Show, 106.1 KISS-FM, awarded raffle winner, Jon Bradley with a 2010 Park Place Lexus IS 250 Convertible and one year of free gas.  Hot live auction items included two Grammy Awards experiences; a vacation to Napa Valley on Million Air, coveted SuperBowl tickets, NY Fashion Week and audience seats at Oprah.  New this year was a silent auction of wine which generated more than $13,000.  Expect more to choose from next year.

Presenting Sponsor: Rent-A-Center

Diamond: Cathy and Richard Riccardi

Emerald Sponsors:  Capital One, The Engibous Family Foundation, Carolyn & Mark Speese

Platinum Sponsors: ESI, Fulbright and Jaworski, F.O.R. the Children (Friends of Rent-A-Center), Sloan Wealth Management, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano LLC and Katina and Eric Zepp

Gold Sponsors:  State Farm, Texas Instruments and Lynette and Tye Williams

Automotive Partner:  Park Place Lexus

Underwriters:  GrandLuxe, Jack Black, Million Air, Rusty Glenn Designs, Tiffany & Co., Neiman Marcus Willow Bend

Silver Sponsors: Accenture, Inez and Dan Browning, Children’s Medical Center, Anne Davidson, Gay, McCall, Isaacks, Gordon & Roberts, PC, Janet and Brian Mason, Betty and James Muns and Senator Florence and Howard Shapiro

Bronze Sponsors:  Sandy and Mike Albright, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano/The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, Debbie and Don Braun, Kathryn and Bruce Cay, Connie and Russ Coolik/Jenny McCall, Jane and Jim Donovan, Emerson Process Management, Collin County District Attorney John Roach, Merrill Greer, Legacy Capital Bank, Strasburger & Price, L.L.P., David and Anna Ruth Smith, Texas Capital Bank, The Medical Center of Plano, Sheriff Box Shoot Out for Kids, Grant Thornton

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.