Park Place Dealerships Opens Applications on October 5 and Invites Charities to Apply

For the third year in a row, Park Place Dealerships is giving away a total of $100,000 to deserving non-profits who are serving the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area in its Season of Giving campaign. Charities can apply at ParkPlaceCares.com beginning October 5 through October 30. Recipients will be announced the week of November 13, 2023. 

“Through Season of Giving, we provide grants to local organizations that align with our four pillars of giving,” said Tony Carimi, managing director of Park Place Dealerships. “In addition to providing funding, our Members at Park Place are actively engaged in volunteering throughout the year. It’s wonderful to see the bigger impact made in our community because of the ingenuity of our team to help in many different ways.”   

Non-profit organizations must fit the following criteria:

• Organization must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
• The charity must support one of Park Place Cares’ Pillars of Giving, which include: Education; Medical Research; Children’s Advocacy; or the Arts.
• The charity must serve in at least one of the following counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Rockwall, Kaufman, Hunt, Wise or Johnson.
• The charity cannot already have received donations or in-kind support from Park Place in 2023.
• Charities must apply by midnight October 30, 2023. 

Under Park Place Dealerships’ philanthropic arm of Park Place Cares, Season of Giving offers local non-profits the opportunity to apply for a one-time, end of year grant. More than 406 charities applied in 2022 with 23 receiving a grant ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. 

“There are so many deserving charities in our community, and we want to give as many organizations as possible the opportunity to be considered for a Season of Giving grant,” said Kara Connor, Park Place Dealership’s Experiential Marketing Manager. “In the past two years, we have learned about hundreds of organizations that serve North Texas in meaningful ways and while we can’t give grants to each one, we have found other ways to support the non-profits.” 

Park Place Members learned about For Oak Cliff through the Season of Giving application process. Members have collected school supplies several times for the nonprofit and regularly volunteer with the organization. 

Park Place Members also put together hundreds of hygiene kits for young men attending Title 1 schools in need of basic items such as deodorant, toothbrushes, and socks for the 2022 Season of Giving recipient, Just Because. 

In 2022, the Black Heart Association received a $5,000 grant to provide heart health education and screenings through its Mobile Heart Health Unit to patients who are primarily uninsured. Upon learning the organization also had maintenance needs for its mobile unit, Park Place provided experienced technicians to assist with keeping the mobile unit on the road serving the community. 

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. 

 Lucky Luau Sept. 23^rd to benefit Mansfield Animal Care & Control   

Hawaiian Falls Mansfield is hosting an end of season doggie swim so guests can splash and play in the water with their dogs. The Lucky Luau will be held noon – 3 pm Saturday, September 23^rd and will benefit the City of Mansfield Animal Care and Control’s Lucky Fund, which helps provide medical care for stray pets.

“We can’t wait to see our guests splashing and playing with their dogs on the last day we’re open,” said Ron McKenzie, Hawaiian Falls Marketing Director. “We’re even setting aside a special area on our island just for small dogs! We’ll also have our wave pool and the Turtle Bay Kiddie Cove open.”

Admission is $19.99 per person (or $10 per person for Hawaiian Falls season pass holders) which includes up to two dogs. All dogs must be spayed or neutered and have a valid City Pet License. For more information or to register go to http://bit.ly/MACCLuckyLuau

Hawaiian Falls 2024 Season Passes are on sale now for the lowest price of the season, which come with three 2024 Buddy Passes per season pass, each good for one free visit for a friend when accompanied by the pass holder. Other 2024 season pass perks include: one pass – three parks: enjoy unlimited visits to Hawaiian Falls waterparks in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco; a 2024 Souvenir bottle; 20-percent discount on all food & beverage purchases; and 20-percent off all cabana rentals. Season pass holders also get to enter the park 30 minutes before the gates open to the public.

More information about special events, operating hours, directions, tickets and season passes, are at hfalls.com.

Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council Reveals Winner and Four Semi-Finalists

Everyone knows that everything’s bigger in Texas. It’s certainly true of the enormous reputation enjoyed by DQ® restaurants in Texas. In fact, Lone Star state residents have been big DQ fans for more than 70 years! Who in Texas isn’t familiar with the Dude® CLASSIC Chick’n Fried Steak Sandwich? Or the Hungr-Buster®? Or the BeltBuster®? Or the Blizzard® Treat? And of course, the truly iconic, world famous vanilla soft-serve.

For generations, DQ restaurants in Texas have been known as one of the big reasons why we’re all so fond of saying, “That’s what I like about Texas!” All that love got us wondering: out of all our great fans, who is the BIGGEST DQ Fan in Texas? 

The Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council has been scouring the state to answer that super-important question. The exhaustive search for “The Biggest DQ Fan in Texas” involved hearing stories from fans living everywhere from the Gulf to the Panhandle, and from the bayous of East Texas to the plains of North Texas, and everywhere in between. “Exhaustive” is the right word — 268,596 square miles never looked so huge.

It was an absolute joy hearing from more than 6,700 worthy contenders who emerged from the search. But there can only be one winner. So drumroll, please. Say hello to … Brandi Wolfe of Lumberton, Texas!

“I have lived in my hometown for more than 30 years and Dairy Queen has been my go-to spot since I was a child,” said Brandi Wolfe, the Biggest DQ Fan in Texas. “I went on dates to DQ with my high school sweetheart, who is now my husband, and we love taking our children there which is beyond special in itself. I am ecstatic to be named the Biggest DQ Fan!”

As the Biggest DQ Fan in Texas, Ms. Wolfe receives free Treats & Eats, DQ swag, Josh Abbott items (Josh sings the jingle That’s What I Like About Texas for DQ restaurants in Texas), Dr Pepper® shirts and a fun celebration at her DQ in Lumberton! 

The four semi-finalists are all winners too and include:

-       Aidan (AJ) Adamek of Yoakum, TX 

-       Cassidy Keuhl of Allen, TX

-       Garrett Estes of League City, TX

-       Hannah Baker of Deer Park, TX

The four semi-finalists will receive DQ gift cards, DQ shirts and Dr Pepper swag. 

“We loved hearing all the stories and seeing all the photos from our fans enjoying their favorite Treats & Eats,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of the Texas Dairy Queen Operator’s Council. “And while it was difficult to choose, Brandi Wolfe made a great case for being our number one fan in Texas. We’re thrilled to recognize her passion for everything DQ. We were also impressed with AJ’s passion for our Jalitos and are recognizing him as the Biggest Jalitos Fan in Texas.”

“For the past several years, a group of my close friends and I have made Thursday our official Jalitos meeting day,” said Aidan (AJ) Adamek of Yoakum. “I have been ordering the same meal for so long, the employees know my order by heart. DQ is truly what I like about Texas! I am honored to be named the Biggest Jalitos Fan in Texas.” 

No purchase was necessary to enter or win, and the contest was open to legal residents of Texas, 13 years of age and older. Entries had to be received by 8 am CST on August 6, 2023.

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.

Dallas Restaurants to Support Children's Health

For every DQ Blizzard purchased, $1 or more will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Any Blizzard flavor will do the trick, but the NEW Caramel Fudge Cheesecake, available through August 27 while supplies last, is a tasty option. 

Cheesecake pieces and fudge-covered salty caramel pieces blended with world-famous DQ soft serve, the Caramel Fudge Cheesecake Blizzard Treat is the perfect way to handle the summer’s heat.

It’s also a deliciously easy way to provide critical lifesaving equipment and pediatric healthcare resources for local hospitals to treat sick and injured children throughout Texas.

Here’s how it works: 

• Fans purchase their favorite Blizzard Treat (any size or flavor) at a participating DQ restaurant in Texas.

• $1 or more is donated to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for each Blizzard Treat purchased.

Rarely has fundraising been so deliciously satisfying.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 27, to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Visit a DQ dining room or use the convenient drive-thru. 

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.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals ® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals supporting the health of 12 million kids annually across the U.S. and Canada. Donations go to local hospitals to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, along with 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. When we improve the health of all children and allow them the opportunity to reach their full potential, we also improve our communities for years to come. Together, we can change kids’ health. Together, we can change the future. To learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and your local children’s hospital, visit cmnhospitals.org.

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke to Host 3rd Annual Aloha Festival to

Celebrate the Aloha Spirit

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke is hosting the 3rd annual Aloha Festival, an all-day event celebration bringing the sights, flavors and sounds of the Hawaiian Islands to the heart of Texas.

Aloha Fest 2023 will be held 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday July 15^th at Hawaiian Falls Roanoke. Throughout the day guests can enjoy the soothing sounds of Tropical music, and photo opportunities with a Polynesian Princess.

“We’re always welcoming families with a warm Aloha spirit,” said Hawaiian Falls Marketing Director Ron McKenzie. “The Aloha spirit embodies love and affection. Aloha Fest gives families the opportunity to escape to a Tropical island without ever leaving home.”

Guests can savor a taste of Hawaii with pulled pork sandwiches, Dole Whip swirled-pineapple soft-serve treats, Pina Coladas, and a refreshing Hawaiian Draft beer. Texas fare includes Cheeseburgers, Chili Cheese Dogs, Tacos, Pizza, frozen Slush drinks and a variety of different flavors of HteaO.

There’ll be Ohana (Family) Games with fun activities for kids of all ages. Guests can take a hula lesson from authentic Polynesian dancers, who will also perform a show with traditional dances from the islands.

An All-Day Admission Pass is $35.99; guests under 48” tall $25.99. Guests can save $5 per ticket when purchased online. A Family 4-Pack of daily admission tickets is only $99. Hawaiian Falls Season Pass Holders are admitted free and can enter the park at 10 a.m. Kids two & under are always free when accompanied by an adult.

Hawaiian Falls 2023 special events include:

• Aloha Fest – July 22 in Mansfield, and July 29 in Waco.
• Family Fun Fridays throughout July with Ohana Games led by Hawaiian Falls Activity Director.
• Champions Day – July 22 Champions (individuals with special needs) and their families will have exclusive access to the park from 9 am -10 am. Champions tickets are FREE and family companion tickets are only $10 (limit 4).

Hawaiian Falls Waterparks are located in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco. More information about special events, operating hours, directions, discounted tickets and season passes, are at hfalls.com.