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Parting is Such SweetCharity

There are some things that you just know you’re not going to do well. This post is one of them.

When we started SweetCharity on August 31, 2009, it was the brainchild of Wick Allison. He reasoned that if there was ever a time when nonprofits needed a little help, it was then. Originally, SweetCharity was just supposed to be a simple little blog. But then it grew with photos and event coverage.

As it grew, so did the demand. The SweetCharity email at times looked like Santa’s mailbox in December.

We were gratified to report goals being met, incredible amounts of money raised, and success story after success story. Guests put up with our photo-stalking. PR people patiently worked with us. Commenters kept us on our toes. You have all been generous with your support and advice.

In return, we hope we provided a “friendly but honest” blog.

Now, seven months later, SweetCharity is closing down its blog neighborhood. It’s not that we don’t love you. And, no one thinks the nonprofits are rolling in money and volunteers. The fact of the matter is that SweetCharity itself was a victim of the economy and failed to locate an angel for its continuation.

But, please don’t stop sending the invitations. Your humble photo-scribe will continue to cover events for D Magazine‘s “D Scene” and FrontBurner, as well as the Park Cities/Preston Hollow People newspapers.

Thank you for helping SweetCharity have a great run. It was our pleasure to have chatted with you. See you later.

Queen Latifah Bowed out of DIFFA, but was Present for Essence

Back in December, Dimples announced that Queen Latifah would be the headline performer for DIFFA’s new event, DIFFA 2010, on March 3 at the Winspear. Yahoo! Loved her in Chicago. Loved her with Steve Martin. Always love her voice.

By mid-February after DIFFA’s silent auction at Reunion Station, an uneasy rumor started making the rounds that the Queen would not be appearing after all. Surely not!

Before you could slam that rumormonger’s mouth shut, the rumor became reality . . . the Queen had to “cancel all March engagements.”

This “development” is a nightmare for any organization. Do you proceed with a Winspear full of people and no “big name” entertainment? or do you postpone? The DIFFA leadership evidently opted for the latter.

Checking with Queen L’s schedule, it seems that she didn’t cancel all of her March engagements.

UPDATE: Gail McGovern Had More on her Mind Than Haiti During Dallas Visit

If you’ll recall, dearest ones, when the Haiti earthquake broke loose back on January 12, American Red Cross President/CEO Gail McGovern (pictured) was in town to visit the facilities and meet with the influentials of Dallas. By the end of the day, she was guest of honor at a private party at Myrna and Bob Schlegels‘ and afterwards at Margot and Jim Keyes for an even more private dinner, plus putting into place the Haitian relief efforts. All of this and it was her birthday, too!

As if that wasn’t an example of multi-tasking in overdrive, the next day she visited with former President George W. Bush, ExxonMobil’s Rex Tillerson, T. Boone, and the head of Kimberley-Clark.

No one would have suspected that during her day with W and the rest of the big boys that she had just received word that she had breast cancer.

Let’s see. Within 48 hours, she had met with the former president, started coordinating relief efforts for a major catastrophe, and learned she had cancer. Seems a little overwhelming, doesn’t it?

This news about her health and her undergoing surgery on February 11 was revealed over the past weekend. According to American Red Cross spokesperson Roger Lowe, the reason for the delay was Gail “wanted to wait until she knew what she was dealing with and what the effect would be on her work before she announced it.”

Luckily, the doctors report the prognosis is “excellent” and Gail has added the Chile earthquake situation to the Red Cross’s “must-do-list.”

Let’s Practice Safe Sex This Sunday

Did we get your attention? Do you have a dog or a cat that “needs fixin” as the Metroplex Animal Coalition puts it?

You’re in luck! In celebration of “Spay Day 2010,” MAC, the SPCA of Texas, Kaufman County Animal Awareness and Texas Coalition for Animal Protection have joined forces to make you an offer you can’t. . . or rather, shouldn’t refuse. For a mere $45, dogs and cats will be spayed/neutered this Sunday at the SPCA of Texas Martin Spay Neuter Clinic as part of the campaign to prevent unwanted births.* (more…)

Archon’s Canceled Golf Tournament Swings in $525,000 for Dallas CASA

What happens when you schedule your annual President’s Day golf tournament to benefit Dallas CASA and you get clobbered by Snowzilla 2010? That’s the question that was posed Monday morning by Irving-based Archon Group at the Four Seasons in Las Colinas.

The answer was simple. Have the players and sponsors come on out for an appreciation brunch and a nice check presentation of $525,000 to Dallas CASA.

Did you just read that? Yup, this annual golf tournament’s participants provided over a half million dollars despite the fact they didn’t get to play one round.

That’s better than a hole in one any day. Just ask CASA.

SweetCharity Plays Catch Up

While SweetCharity’s policy is to cover events within 48-72 hours, the blizzard of Snow-10 has caused a hiccup in coverage. Today is officially declared “Catch Up Monday.”

Thank you for your patience.

Washington Post Leads Gail McGovern Story With Dallas Event

In a February 8th Washington Post article on Gail McGovern, head of the American Red Cross, reporter Annie Gowen writes:

“American Red Cross chief executive Gail J. McGovern was about to give a fundraising pitch to a roomful of Texas millionaires when news of the earthquake in Haiti reached her by text message.

She knew right away that this would be her first real test as chief of the renowned relief organization, which had fallen into debt and disrepute after missteps after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and Hurricane Katrina. But she wasn’t about to abandon her talk to donors at the home of a concrete-paving magnate, an estate modeled after a French chateau.

Without “an eyelash out of place” — as one Dallas charity blogger noted — McGovern went on coolly with her prepared remarks, making scant mention of the disaster then unfolding. And she stayed and mingled afterward, charming the wealthy crowd with a self-deprecating anecdote about her first meeting as Red Cross chief with their home-town son, George W. Bush. (She’d burst into tears telling him that she’d dropped her kid off at college the previous day.)”

SweetCharity covered the party at the Schlegel estate and enjoyed her chat with Annie.

JUST IN: St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon Is On!

Three pieces of news to report:

1. Yes, that’s snow and slush, not ice.
2. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Exec Director Tina Garcia reports the St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show “is still going to HAPPEN!! We have had a lot of people wonder if we are canceling and we are not!! The show must go on rain or shine or snow:)”
3. Checked with Gold Crown‘s RW Raabe and he says his valets are ready to take care of you and your car at the Anatole.

What that means:

• Start out a smidge bit earlier than usual for the Anatole.
• Think about carpooling. Entourages make a much more fashionable entrance.
• Wear that heavier coat and great looking boots, you’ve been dying to show off.
• Think about gloves.

ON A SERIOUS NOTE: People who are fighting leukemia and lymphoma are facing a much tougher task than driving through a wintry mix. Your presence at the luncheon, besides providing funding, also shows your support for the underwriters and organizers of this event that is so vital to the war against leukemia.

Folks, this ain’t the northeast and we’re not facing five feet of snow, so let’s get together for lunch. But do drive safely as always.

Thank You Note From SweetCharity

SweetCharity headquarters received a very kind note this morning from a much-respected member of the blogging world. In the note she stated,

“I love how civil your blog is – it’s so refreshing. I certainly get in my share of snark on other blogs but there’s no place for it in yours – it’s nice.”

Thank you.

Let me take this opportunity to thank the members of the SweetCharity community for encouraging and nurturing this blog environment. Because you are intelligent, articulate, and appreciative of the nonprofit efforts, you expect a blog that will be accurate, informative, and timely. For this reason we make every effort to honestly report information in a manner that meets your expectations.

While there is no room for “snarkiness”  in the SweetCharity world, we will not sugar coat information, people, and/or events. If you feel we are off target, you must help us set the record straight. . .  in a constructive fashion.

Again, thank you for being a part of the SweetCharity community.

SweetCharity Is Homebound For The Good Of Others

SweetCharity is going to be a little less active the next few days. It seems that while making our rounds in gathering information, we picked up a bug. Have no idea where we found this sniffle-making critter, but we’re staying put so we don’t give it to someone else.

Lesson learned: During these chilly days, it’s still important to be out and about. But if you have any sign that you may be coming down with a cold, flu, Ebola virus, or whatever, stay at home in bed.

Trust me — this is a gift that is better not given.

Pass the Puffs, please.