Which was incredibly intimidating.

She was very patient with me while I argued with her to raise a rating by a point here, half a point there, listening to me explain the ins and outs of the Jackson, MS market, which was new to me, but she had been buying for 10 years.  She took every meeting, returned every call, considered my rationale even if she didn’t accept it.

She was buying Houston at the same time… I was selling Harlingen.   Big difference.  She treated each with equal importance.

We shared a best friend.   That’s not always the easiest thing to do. Sheila and Mary had been friends for years, and I was the new kid in town.  Mary just accepted that I was part of the scenery. I’m not sure that the much younger version of me  would have been as gracious if our positions had been reversed.

Several years later, I was firmly entrenched on the DREAM Fund Board.    While I chaired the volunteer committee Mary happily chaired the decorating committee for Night in Monte Carlo.   I didn’t envy her.   Somehow the decorating committee also became the crew who was responsible for the tear down after the event was over.  Mary also donated auction items, some that she made herself.  She used her influence in the media buying community to get her stations to donate auction items as well.

Fast forward to when Mary was diagnosed with cancer.  Sure it was scary, but I just thought she would get better.   Probably because Mary never complained.   Not once.   Even when she was no longer able to eat.  A lover of good food, she was relinquished to receiving her nutrition from a tube.   Despite that, she still made an appearance at industry events and happy hours.   Mary’s cancer spread.  It was in her lymph nodes and had moved from her throat to below her shoulders, and I finally understood how serious this was.

Three years into her battle, she was struggling to cover her medical expenses.  I didn’t know that because she told me, I knew because Sheila told me and asked me to talk to her about applying for assistance from DREAM Fund.   So that New Year’s Eve, I sat on the couch in Sheila’s living room and talked to Mary about DREAM Fund.  It was completely confidential I told her, nobody would know, and in typically Mary fashion, she said no.   Repeatedly.   I was a salesperson and I was determined  to convince  her that she needed to do this.   Finally I said “Well, what if you did it and we told everybody?  Maybe spread the word about what DREAM Fund does?    Mary’s eyes lit up. She loved the idea.   She was going to tell everybody how DREAM Fund helped her.  Mary was a Leo after all. For the record, so am I.   And tell people she did.  Anybody who would listen.  She made a video, she wrote letters, she was on our website, and our promotional pieces.

By that fall, we all knew the inevitable was about to happen.  It was no longer a question of if, but when.  Mary’s room in the hospital was constantly manned, a schedule that was set up by Sheila and filled in with volunteers from DREAM Fund.  Mary’s friends came from all over to say their goodbyes.  Upon entering her room, she would ask them if they had sent in their auction items for the upcoming Casino Night.   If they hadn’t done so, they did so in short order.    Mary died in November 2004.   In typical Mary fashion, she asked that donations be made to DREAM Fund instead of sending flowers.

Sometimes I worry that the people who are new to our industry in Dallas won’t know about Mary, or understand why there is an award named after her.  And then I realize that as long as there are those who give tirelessly of themselves, they will know her spirit. ~ Juleann Pasqualini, Mary’s friend.

to nominate someone for the Mary Henry Humanitarian Award, please click on the menu tab for criteria and additional information.

DREAM FUND BRINGS YOU

AN ONLINE AUCTION!

As you know, we normally have a LIVE AUCTION during Night in Monte Carlo…but this year there was a little thing called World Series Game Six and the crowd was glued to the jumbo screen for the outcome…which took us to another game and kept us as still proud fans of our Texas Rangers!

We suspended the LIVE AUCTION from the event and are now putting the items online for bidding!

It’s simple, click bid below…view items – and if you want to place a bid - just register and start bidding!

The auction will continue through December 14th and you will be notified if you are the winning bidder.  Items will then be available for pick up December 15th and 16th from 10a-4p at

Petry Media

12750 Merit Dr #450

Dallas, TX 75251

additional details will be in your winning bidder email

Happy Bidding!

Nine industry organizations are working together to make the future brighter for our colleagues in crisis.  Come and celebrate the holiday season as we unite for one single cause, DREAM Fund.  Coming together, for each other.

There’s still time to purchase your ticket, just click the jingle mingle logo and it will take you directly to the website for additional information and event registration.

Thank you to those that have dedicated many hours to make this event a reality!

That’s why we wanted to take the time to say “thank you” and express our gratitude to YOU, our community, for your generosity and support of DREAM Fund.  October and November host our two largest fundraising events and often, we get caught up in the social aspect of the events – which is GREAT, they are fun – but they are also so much more…

These events are HOPE, HEART, COMMUNITY, OUTREACH, and  KINDNESS.

They are events to help raise money, so that others in our industry have a place to turn when they find themselves in crisis.  DREAM (Dedicating Resources to Employees of Advertising and Media) Fund exists to be a light in the tunnel, when all else seems to be dark.

From sending cards, flowers and meals to arranging rides to and from doctor appointments….

DREAM Fund is there.

From covering a much needed and unaffordable prescription to coverage of entire breast cancer treatments….

DREAM Fund is there.

From covering house, food and utility payments to burial costs…

DREAM Fund is there.

From helping to recover from devastation due to a home fire to retrofitting a home to accommodate new physical challenges….

DREAM Fund is there.

But don’t get us wrong….it’s not just DREAM Fund, you are there too – we stand together, because DREAM Fund can only help others through the dedication and support of many volunteers and donors.

Thank you for being part of our journey, we hope that you will remain a supporter for years to come.

For additional information on DREAM Fund or on how you can help – through donations, volunteering or letting us know of those in need,  please visit our website, blog and facebook sites.   Please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues, through awareness; we can continue to make a difference.

Well, it’s a little cooler outside…only a little, but it is October and that means a few things….

First, it really will be MUCH cooler soon – thank goodness!

BUT more importantly…NIGHT IN MONTE CARLO is just around the corner!  Followed quickly by DREAM Fund’s fun run/walk
HOT TO TROT and CHILI COOK OFF!

You can find information for both events on the blog or link from the website to the event pages.
Night in Monte Carlo (10.27) brings fun, gambling, great auction items and an evening to see old and new faces – and help raise money to support colleagues in crisis!  Click here for more Night in Monte Carlo information!

Hot to Trot and Chili Cook Off are both FAMILY FRIENDLY (human and pet!) events and help raise community awareness and fundraising
dollars for DREAM Fund.  There is a kid’s corner with face painting and bounce house and live entertainment throughout the day.                              Radio remotes….chili, chili and more chili….and TONS of FUN for ALL!!  Join us on November 12^th – we can’t wait to see you there.  walk and chili details

Seventeen locations offered a special class to benefit DREAM Fund – locations in Dallas, Austin, Houston and Louisiana!  It was a great partnership; our organization was introduced to many new faces – as was Painting with a Twist!. Even if you weren’t able to attend one of the events, please keep them in mind when looking for a fun friend or family outing.

Most of the locations held their event on August 21^st but Grapevine had a private party that date, so moved their Painting with a Purpose to the 28^th….not to be outdone by any other location, not only did we have a great time painting – we had an ENGAGEMENT!! 

Yes, you read correctly!  At the end of our session, a new painting appeared with the words, “Ida, will you marry me?”!  Shocked and sharing this moment with a few strangers – she said, “yes” and he slipped the most beautiful ring on her finger!    

Just moments earlier, a very calm and collected groom to be, was discussing web innovation and asking how to make a donation to DREAM Fund!  Would have never guessed that he was about to propose!

So, thank you Painting with a Twist for making lots of DREAMs come true! 

The happy couple….

As you begin to “paint your future”, DREAM Fund sends congratulations and wishes you much happiness!

BUT…Grapevine is holding their class THIS SUNDAY TO BENEFIT DREAM FUND!  There is still time to register at http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/events/viewEvent.aspx?eventID=29252

or just join us on Sunday from 2-5p at Painting with a Twist in Grapevine (203 E. Worth St. Suite 100)!!

The event is open to the public, so bring family and friends!

Lots of painters last weekend….here’s a shot from the Austin location and a completed painting from the Flower Mound class:

Come on out and have some fun for a great cause!

Corks n Canvas founders, Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney’s roots are firmly planted in the non-profit, volunteer world and they soon began looking for ways to continue their efforts of giving back to the community. With many organizations requesting fundraisers, Cathy and Renee, with the help of Gamble Communications of New Orleans, developed “Painting with a Purpose”. PWAP is a monthly fundraiser hosted by Corks n Canvas and Painting with a Twist franchises. Most often, each franchise selects a non-profit within their community; although participation by franchises is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged.

Painting with a Twist Corporate has selected DREAM Fund as its recipient for the month of August, with participating locations* donating event proceeds back to DREAM Fund. DREAM Fund was selected based on the non-profits’ commitment to their mission, the wide spectrum of people they serve and a shared franchise and recipient coverage area. Each location has an online calendar and reservations can be made online…a link for each location is below – the link should take you directly to the Painting with a Purpose class that will benefit DREAM Fund. The event is open to the public and you will leave with your very own finished piece of art!

Bring family and friends….lots of locations to choose from!!!  Each location has selected a painting unique to their location – so pick one close to you and sign up!!

Last summer, the Grapevine location jumped on board with DREAM Fund and held a private party and donated proceeds back to DREAM Fund…here’s a peek at last year’s masterpieces!  Thank you Colleen (grapevine owner) for supporting us!

DREAM Fund is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2011 and is grateful for the partnership with Corks n Canvas and Painting with a Twist. DREAM Fund has gifted over $1, 000,000 and served over 500 individuals or families since 1991. For more information on DREAM Fund, please visit the website at www.dreamfund.org or on facebook at www.facebook.com/dreamfund

DREAM Fund is a nonprofit foundation and the support link serving the advertising, public relations and media communities throughout the Southwest since 1991. The mission of the fund is to aid colleagues in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana facing an unexpected medical emergency or life crisis and in need of emotional support and financial assistance.

Corks n Canvas/Painting with a Twist Corks n Canvas first opened its doors in November 2007 by two friends, Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney. Within two years, they had four operating company stores. At present time, there are 57 franchises under the name Painting with a Twist.

Isn’t that the main storyline in a lot of our lives? Too selfish, too self absorbed, too self aware even. How about shutting it on down and getting right out of our own heads and hearts sometimes and thinking of others? Think of what it may feel like to know that you have done something..anything for someone else…

This is a guarantee: You will be surprised how good you feel about yourself after you serve your fellow-man in any way. Your time, Your money, Your talent and sometimes even Your shoulder. It is better than any shopping spree with some buy one get one shoes or any “I deserve this..” splurge. There is no buyers remorse in charity and giving.

Compassion is a beautiful and necessary thing, but compassion in action is intoxicating. 

Making a difference to someone else, is the best difference and plot twist there can be in this,  the movie or in my case sitcom that is this life…

I sure do feel good right now! If you are reading this then you have already taken a step toward changing your life and impacting someone else, you are here for a reason, now get to writing yourself a smaller part! ~ Amy Bailey, DREAM Fund recipient family