Park Place Dealerships Delivers Grants to 18 North Texas Non-Profits

Eighteen North Texas non-profits received an early holiday gift through a Season of Giving grant from Park Place Dealerships. The dealership group awarded $100,000 to the non-profits who serve the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Park Place received applications from more than 400 North Texas area non-profits. They selected the recipients for a Season of Giving grant that aligns with one of Park Place’s Four Pillars of Giving: Education; Medical Research; Advocacy; or the Arts.

“It was wonderful to learn about so many different non-profits who are doing great work across Dallas/Fort Worth,” said Tony Carimi, managing director of Park Place Dealerships. “In addition to providing end of year grants, Park Place Members will be actively engaged in volunteering with these non-profit partners throughout 2024. It’s inspiring to see the impact our Members make in the community.”  

Under Park Place Cares, Park Place Dealerships’ philanthropic arm, the Season of Giving program provides a one-time grant ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. This is the third year of the program which has now donated $300,000 to 65 charities since the inaugural Season of Giving.  The Park Place Cares program has donated millions to charities in the last 36 years.

The chosen organizations are diverse in their missions and the areas they serve throughout North Texas. The charities receiving a grant for the 2023 Season of Giving include:

Education

• Academy 4 (Fort Worth)
• Primo’s (Dallas)
• Vogel (Dallas)

Medical 

• Mammogram Poster Girls (Dallas)
• Hope Center 4 Autism (Fort Worth)
• Evan’s Avengers (Denton)

Advocacy

• Annie’s Place (Dallas)
• Camp Summit (Dallas)
• The Vitamin Bridge (Coppell)
• Carry The Load (Dallas)
• Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas (Farmers Branch)
• Canine Companions (Irving)
• Community Caring Center (Azle)
• Heroes For Children (Plano)
• Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas (Lewisville)
• Apollo Support and Rescue (Justin)
• Ability Connection (Irving)

Arts

• Sixty & Better (Arlington)

“For more than 35 years, Park Place has partnered with local charities that serve Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding areas,” said Kara Connor, Park Place Dealership’s Experiential Marketing Manager. “We have developed relationships with many amazing organizations who serve North Texas in meaningful ways. We are excited to learn more about these new recipients and learn how we can work together going forward to help them achieve their goals.”

A committee comprised of Park Place members from the nine dealerships across North Texas selected the non-profits to receive Season of Giving grants.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates eight full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Acura, and Land Rover. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com. 

NSX Owners of Texas Bring Rare Supercars to the Celebration

Children who are patients at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Prosper are the beneficiaries of Park Place Acura’s first anniversary celebration, held at the exquisite 68,000 square-foot facility just south of Spring Creek off the Dallas North Tollway in Plano. Guests brought new toys and games to donate to the children’s hospital.

During the event, members of the NSX Owners of Texas showcased their many different models of the rare Acura NSX supercar. Tracing its origins back to 1984, the NSX was the world’s first mass produced car with an all-aluminum body. At its peak in 1992, less than 2,000 NSX models were sold in the U.S. Acura discontinued the NSX last year, with only 300 NSX Type S models sold in the U.S in 2022.

Guests enjoyed music by DJ Chris with Inkredible Sounds, celebratory sips featuring a bubbly bar, hand-made donuts by Li’l Bits Mini Donuts, and Boba drinks provided by Bobaddiction.

“We’re proud of the relationships we’ve developed over the past year,” said Jason Feuerberg, Park Place Acura General Manager. “We’ve had the opportunity to give back to our community in many ways, including Park Place Members volunteering their time with several non-profit agencies across Collin County. Park Place has established a great reputation over the past 35 years for taking care of our Members, clients and the community.”

Feuerberg began his journey more than 23 years ago as a porter at the original Park Place Lexus dealership on Preston Road while attending college at the University of North Texas. After graduating in 2001, he joined Park Place as a sales consultant. Feuerberg was named General Manager of the Park Place Acura dealership last year.

Located off the Dallas North Tollway, just south of Spring Creek Parkway, Park Place Acura is one of the largest Acura dealerships in the country with a six-car showroom and a 37-bay service center. 

Cook Children’s Health Care System has been recognized as one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation, earning five rankings in the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” list for 2023-2024. Based in Fort Worth, Cook Children’s 8,000+ dedicated team members care for more than 1.5 million patient encounters each year at its two medical and surgery centers, a physician network, home health services and a health plan.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates eight full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Acura, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com. 

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 Dallas Restaurants to Support Children’s Health

Dairy Queen restaurants in Texas are serving up smiles in a special initiative for local Texas kids and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Spoons for Smiles is set for Saturday, October 21 at participating DQ restaurants in Texas. All it takes is DQ Fans ordering and enjoying a Blizzard® Treat in Dallas with proceeds benefiting Children’s Health.

Here’s how it works: 

• Fans purchase their favorite Blizzard® Treat (any size or flavor) at a participating DQ restaurant in Texas.
• $1 is donated by Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital® for each Blizzard® Treat purchased (Up to $50,000 will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals).

“We love to serve up smiles each day to fans of all ages at DQ restaurants in Texas,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. “DQ’s big red spoon is synonymous with making people smile when they enjoy a Blizzard Treat. Spoons for Smiles is a one-day opportunity for Texans to make a difference in the lives of children who appreciate a friendly smile and the incredible care received at one of the 16 member children’s hospitals in Texas.” 

 The DQ Fall Blizzard Treat menu also includes:  

-       Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Blizzard Treat

-       Caramel Fudge Cheesecake Blizzard Treat

-       REESE’S® Peanut Butter Cup Pie Blizzard Treat

-       Choco Dipped Strawberry Blizzard Treat

-       New! Royal REESE’s® Fluffernutter Blizzard Treat

Texas native Anderson and his family turned to the local member hospital, El Paso Children’s Hospital in El Paso, TX for his diagnosis and care. Anderson was three years old when he was diagnosed with Chiari malformation, a malformation of the brain tissue that causes pressure on the spine and subsequent symptoms including headaches and loss of balance and coordination. Within five days, Anderson was taken into surgery. Within two weeks of recovering from his surgery, Anderson rode a scooter for the first time. He crossed a balance beam at the park. He gave the tightest hugs. He started putting on weight and growing, meeting the typical milestone for children his age. Funds raised through Children’s Miracle Network Hospital provide for healthcare, services, and tools like those that allow for endoscopic procedures to be less invasive, have better outcomes and shorten the length of a hospital stay. 

Spoons for Smiles is a delicious and easy way to provide critical funds for lifesaving equipment and pediatric healthcare resources to local member hospitals to help kids like Anderson throughout Texas. 

For more than 75 years, Texans have been drawn to DQ restaurants for the unique, Texas-centric menu featuring items that can’t be enjoyed anywhere outside of Texas. There’s the Dude® CLASSIC Chick’n Fried Steak Sandwich and the Hungr-Buster, the BeltBuster® with two quarter-pound patties, and the truly awesome Triple-Buster®. 

Fans can order their favorite cravings on the DQ Texas mobile app for the “Best Treats & Eats in Texas” while earning rewards and learning about great deals. New users receive a free Blizzard Treat (any size) or a Hungr-Buster® just for signing up.

About Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council 

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. 

For more information about the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council, visit dqtexas.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals was founded more than 40 years ago with the vision to Change Kids’ Health, Change the Future. The organization has raised over $8.5 billion for 170 children’s hospitals by empowering and engaging with local communities and businesses. All donations benefit local member hospitals to fund what’s needed most, like critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that put kids’ and families’ minds at ease during difficult hospital stays, and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services. 

Together, we can change kids’ health. Together, we can change the future. To learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and your local member children’s hospital, visit cmnhospitals.org.

21^st ANNUAL DAIRY QUEEN OF SEVEN POINTS OPEN AUTO SHOW SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

Event Benefits Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

The Dairy Queen of Seven Points will host the 21^st Annual Open Auto Show on Saturday, October 14, benefiting the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake. Last year’s show raised more than $10,000 to help purchase a new van (dubbed the “Danny Van”) to transport animals for adoption.

“The Cedar Creek Parrot Head Club and Melinda’s Hot Sauce also contributed to help buy the new van,” explained Shirley Leone, owner of the Dairy Queen of Seven Points.

Registration will open at 11 a.m. with a 2:30 p.m. awards presentation. Entry fee is $20 per car with a donation of dog or cat food.

“It’s a day filled with friends, food and fun,” said Mrs. Leone. “There will be music, food specials, a 50/50 raffle drawing as well as a silent auction. Admission is free for two or four-legged spectators.”

Awards will be presented in 28 different categories, including Model A; Bike; Truck; 4x4; Sports Car; Best Restored; Factory Hot Rod; Street Rod; 50s/60s; 70s/80s; Muscle Car; Project; Import; Most Unique; Most Radical; Best patina; plus 10 Head Turners and one Best of Show. Custom awards are created by Trey Hall.

Last year’s event drew nearly 70 vehicles with Kenneth Napps of Mabank taking home the Best of Show with his red 1933 Chevy Coupe.

“We added a kids class last year,” said Leone. “The only requirement is that the vehicle must have wheels. We leave the rest to their imagination! It’s just fun to see what they create.”

Dairy Queen of Seven Points also will donate 100 percent of sales from the Skeeter Cups (soft serve cups with dog treats on top) to the Humane Society. In addition, proceeds from the 50/50 raffle and t-shirt sales will benefit the Humane Society.

“We look forward to the car show every year,” said Leone. “It’s great to see so many friends come out in support of the Humane Society’s mission. Over the past 10 years, we’ve donated more than $30,000 to the Humane Society. The “Danny Van” is named in honor of my late husband who was a huge supporter of the Humane Society.”

The Dairy Queen of Seven Points is located off Highway 334 at 274 at 110 W. Cedar Creek Parkway. The event is open to the public.

For 75 years, DQ® restaurants in Texas have been friendly, gathering spots where fans enjoy delicious treats and eats and create fond memories. 

About Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council 

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. 

For more information about the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council, visit dqtexas.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Park Place Porsche Entertained Guests in the Ballroom and on the Patio

Park Place Porsche guests filled the Ballroom at Drey Hotel within the Village Dallas for an evening of fashion, food and fun. The popular area is a new hot spot filled with restaurants, shopping and residentialoptions. The centerpiece of the evening was the new 2024 Porsche Cayenne SUV, which recently underwent the most extensive redesign ever!

“It was a beautiful evening to meet new people and enjoy the exciting new Porsche Cayenne,” said Park Place Dealerships Experiential Marketing Manager Kara Connor. “The event effortlessly flowed from the Ballroom out onto the open-air patio overlooking the expansive grounds and pools. It was a great crowd with much laughter!”

VP of Culinary for the Village Dallas and Executive Chef Junior Borges, 2023 James Beard Semi Finalist for Outstanding Chef, curated the menu. Borges’ Brazilian fine-dining restaurant, Meridian, was listed as one of the “Top 5 Best New Restaurants in America” by The Robb Report in 2022.

Chef Borges presented a delectable selection of passed hors d'oeuvres, including Tapioca Fritters with Tomato Jam; Grilled Beach Cheese with Hot Honey, Oregano and Lime; Black Pepper Profiterole with Foie Gras Mousse; Deviled Eggs with Reglis Ova Caviar; and Beef Tartare with Black Truffle. The Ocean Avenue display included fresh East Coast Oysters, Poached Gulf Shrimp and Tuna Ceviche. Wagyu Short Ribs were grilled to order on the patio, served with Piri Piri, Egg & Bacon Farofa, and Beef Jus.

Vanilla Bean Nitro Ice Cream was made and served to order with a decadent topping bar featuring mini cones, waffle cookie crumbles, mascerated berries, Chantilly Cream, and Valrhona chocolate shavings.

When guests weren't sampling the delicious bites or drooling over the new 2024 Porsche Cayenne, they were perusing stylish fashions and exquisite collections from retail partners Scanlan Theodore, Canali and Breitling.

Guest enjoyed live music all evening from the Parker & Pat Duo. Not only did guests admire the beautiful floral displays throughout the venue, but they were able to design their own custom bouquet to take home at the Sand & Soil Flower Cart.

The new 2024 Porsche Cayenne features major upgrades to the already popular SUV. While the 2024 Cayenne prioritizes performance and driver engagement, the luxury sport SUV still offers the style, comfort and technology drivers demand. The Cayenne sports a new 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster (the same as featured in the all-electric Porsche Taycan), a redesigned center console with new climate controls.

Porsche reduced the number of Cayenne models to three: the Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid and Cayenne S, upgrading the V6 on the Cayenne S to a 468-horsepower turbocharged V8. Porsche added more standard features including blind-spot warning, lane keeping assistance, keyless entry, a wireless smartphone charger and LED adaptive headlights. Porsche also upgraded the Cayenne's suspension with new shock absorbers to further improve comfort and handling. In addition, the Porsche Active Suspension Management system is now standard.

The 2024 refresh has made the Porsche Cayenne an even more compelling luxury SUV.

Park Place Porsche is located at 6107 Lemmon Avenue near Love Field in Dallas.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.