Me time!

Last year, I began my provisional course with the Junior League of Dallas (JLD) so that I could find an organized way to volunteer within the community. JLD is very structured and requires two meetings a month for your first year as well as a community project. For various reasons (the drive, boring meetings, all the work is done in Dallas/South Dallas, etc.), I decided that I really wanted to focus my efforts in the Frisco/Plano communities! Thankfully, my job at GattiTown has introduced me to some wonderful community leaders and I have finally found my way to be involved in the community!

Mentor:
About a month ago, I became a mentor to a 5th grader in Plano. It's one of the older schools and definitely not the socio-economic class normally associated with Plano. Typically your student is someone who is struggling in school and needs some extra help, but not mine! They decided to roll out a new program for children who are smart, interested in school/college, etc., but might not get that push from home. For privacy reasons, I can't reveal her name so we'll just refer to her as "the student". Anyway, she is in the gifted program and has lived in the US since she was 3, but she speaks fluent Spanish. I haven't met her parents yet (but hope to soon) and from what I understand their English is a bit limited. She definitely wants to go to college, but with her family not originally being from the US, limited English skills, and overall less available to her they are hoping that a mentor will continue fostering her interest in college and encourage her to be the best she can be.

Can I tell you how much I'm LOVING this??!! We only meet once a week for lunch (at the school) so I only get 30 minutes with her, but I'm hoping to be able to meet with her outside of school. I'd almost like to take the Big Brother/Big Sister approach and take her to educational events and fun stuff like Six Flags. I'm currently working on meeting her parents and getting permission for other events. I'll keep you posted and hopefully there will be pics of us soon (it's all about getting permission!)

Frisco YMCA:
Feb. 17th kicked off the Partners Campaign and this year I am a team captain of a fundraising team. Our team goal is to raise $1500 in the next 6 weeks. I won't ramble too much more since I'm sure all of you got my email yesterday, but if you're able to help me reach our goal I would really appreciate your help!
For more info: http://www.friscoymca.typepad.com/ (read the "For All" entry)

Frisco Family Services Center:
I know a lot of you have been hearing me rave about this organization since joining GattiTown and it truly has become an organization that I'm extremely passionate about. March 8th is their Gala and I plan on being in attendance and would LOVE for you to join me!

Saturday, March 8th
6:30pm until Midnight
The Embassy Suites Hotel
$65/person or $850 for a table of 10
RSVP by February 28th
purchase online at http://www.friscocenter.org/

It's going to be so much fun and so casual!!! That's the best thing about it! The word Gala always makes me think of all the extra money I'll have to spend on new outfit, shoes, etc., but this one you can wear JEANS to!!

Live Music featuring Emerald City (how fun are they!?!)
Luxury Car Raffle (Win a 2008 Audi TT, only 750 tickets sold , $100/each)
Dancing, Dancing, Dancing
Exceptional Live & Silent Auctions
Mechanical Bull & Interactive Games
Casino Gaming
Martinis & Margaritas
Phenomenal Food from Area Restaurants!

You have to admit, it sounds like fun. . .so who wants to join me?!!!

and last, but not least. . .

Volunteer Center of North Texas:
Laura who I met through GattiTown and then realized we were doing JLD together asked me to serve on her committee for the Volunteer of the Year, Lone Star Salute presented by the Volunteer Center of North Texas. It's a fun breakfast honoring the oustanding volunteers of Collin County. I had no idea that we had over 200 non-profit organizations in Collin County alone. WOW!! We're hoping to have at least 80 honorees and our committee is securing gifts from area businesses for the honorees. I'm enjoying being on the committee and excited to see how the event turns out!