More than 700 fans turned out for the recent Dallas Stars Casino Night at Park Place Lexus Plano. The event raised more than $300,000 for the the Dallas Stars Foundation, making it one of the most successful Casino Nights in its 17 year history. The Star-studded event featured the entire Stars hockey team serving as casino dealers, including players, coaches, play-by-play announcers, and front office staff.
 
“Our 17th annual Casino Night was one of our most successful events to date,” said Dallas Stars Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Dallas Stars Foundation President, Jason Farris. “Casino Night is the largest annual fundraiser for the Dallas Stars Foundation. It will allow us to put over $300,000 back into the community through our programs, grants for area non-profits and scholarships. We thank our Foundation supporters, our Foundation Stars volunteers, our Stars fans, the amazing corporate sponsors and Park Place Lexus for helping make this event such a success.”

DJ S.O.U.L Jah entertained the crowd as fans bid on a selection of autographed memorabilia, including jerseys from current and former Dallas Stars players, as well as unique experience packages such as the opportunity to travel with the Stars team to an away game. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet from III Forks, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Tastings and a diamond bar provided by J. Patrick Diamonds, Inc.
 
“Park Place Dealerships supports many charitable organizations throughout the year,” said Jordan Case, President of Park Place Lexus. “but this is definitely one of our favorite events. Our clients enjoyed the party and the exclusive access to the Stars players and coaches. The players seemed to be having as much fun as the fans. And we helped raise a lot of money for the Dallas Stars Foundation, which in turn helps area kids. It’s a win for everyone.”
 
The Dallas Stars Foundation focuses its efforts on providing support to the children in the community through youth hockey programs, youth engagement, and health and education.

“I’ve been to every Stars Casino Night since the first one at Neiman-Marcus downtown in 1999,” said Stars fan Doris Seabolt of Mesquite. “The guys make it a lot of fun. They’re always kidding around with each other and the fans. I wouldn’t miss it!”

The Dallas Stars Foundation was established to serve as a positive force throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth community. The Foundation focuses its efforts on providing support to the children of the community so they may lead quality lives and develop into contributing members of society. Through teamwork, interaction, and education, the Dallas Stars Foundation works to bring together members of the community and build a bright future for our youth.
 
Park Place Lexus Plano is located at 6785 Dallas Parkway, on the southwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and Spring Creek.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Infiniti, Volvo, smart, Jaguar, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more information about Park Place Dealerships, visit parkplace.com.

Sundance Square has kicked off the holiday season after officially lighting the Christmas Tree in downtown Fort Worth and now there is a full season of activities scheduled in the plaza. 

Choirs from the Greater Fort Worth area schools will perform on the stage in Sundance Square Plaza every Monday – Thursday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm through December 17. 

Children’s Choir of Texas (FWAFA) will perform on Wednesday, December 16 at 11:30 a.m. and Texas Boys Choir (FWAFA) will perform on Wednesday, December 16 at 12:00 p.m. Singing Girls of Texas (FWAFA) will perform on Wednesday, December 19 at 12:00 p.m.

For a complete list of choirs, please visit Sundance Square’s website http://sundancesquare.com/events/holiday-choirs/.

Sundance Square is also launching a free Friday Night Concert Series in the plaza with dates set for December 4, 11, and 18 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. December 4 will feature Gloria and Friends; December 11 Kevin Aldridge and the Appraisers take the stage in the plaza; and Luke Wade, past contender on NBC’s seventh season of The Voice, is slated for Friday, December 18 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

Holiday keepsake photos with Santa will be available for only $10 each (cash only) with the proceeds benefiting a scholarship fund established by the Fort Worth Sister Cities’ Youth Scholarships. Santa will be in Sundance Square beginning November 22 through December 22. Check www.sundancesquare.com for specific times.

“This year, we have nearly doubled the times Santa Claus will be in Sundance Square Plaza to greet kids of all ages,” said Tracy Gilmour, marketing director at Sundance Square. “We really wanted to shorten the wait time for our smallest guests who are always eager to see Saint Nick. We believe parents will really appreciate the expanded times.”

The always popular New Year’s Eve festivities in Sundance Square include Professor D as the headliner. The band will take the stage at 10:30 pm and will continue to entertain the crowd until after midnight. Check www.sundancesquare.com for more details.

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 35 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year.  A one-acre outdoor plaza features restaurants, shops, water features, stage, four 32-foot umbrellas, and covered seating. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the multi-use development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare.

Sundance Square has kicked off the holiday season after officially lighting the Christmas Tree in downtown Fort Worth and now there is a full season of activities scheduled in the plaza. 

Choirs from the Greater Fort Worth area schools will perform on the stage in Sundance Square Plaza every Monday – Thursday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm through December 17. 

Young Women’s Leadership Academy will perform on Monday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m.

For a complete list of choirs, please visit Sundance Square’s website http://sundancesquare.com/events/holiday-choirs/. 

Sundance Square is also launching a free Friday Night Concert Series in the plaza with dates set for December 4, 11, and 18 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. December 4 will feature Gloria and Friends; December 11 Kevin Aldridge and the Appraisers take the stage in the plaza; and Luke Wade, past contender on NBC’s seventh season of The Voice, is slated for Friday, December 18 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

Holiday keepsake photos with Santa will be available for only $10 each (cash only) with the proceeds benefiting a scholarship fund established by the Fort Worth Sister Cities’ Youth Scholarships. Santa will be in Sundance Square beginning November 22 through December 22. Check www.sundancesquare.com for specific times.

“This year, we have nearly doubled the times Santa Claus will be in Sundance Square Plaza to greet kids of all ages,” said Tracy Gilmour, marketing director at Sundance Square. “We really wanted to shorten the wait time for our smallest guests who are always eager to see Saint Nick. We believe parents will really appreciate the expanded times.”

The always popular New Year’s Eve festivities in Sundance Square include Professor D as the headliner. The band will take the stage at 10:30 pm and will continue to entertain the crowd until after midnight. Check www.sundancesquare.com for more details.

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 35 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year.  A one-acre outdoor plaza features restaurants, shops, water features, stage, four 32-foot umbrellas, and covered seating. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the multi-use development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare.

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation recently teamed up with Cook Children's to provide support for the hospital’s Creative Artist in Residence Programme (CARPE).  The funds, $6,000, will be used to buy art boxes personalized for children undergoing cancer treatment at the Fort Worth hospital that include paints, canvases, jewelry making materials, books, and musical instruments.

The boxes have proven to be of enormous social and therapeutic benefit to the children and their families by helping them cope with the symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences related to treatment. Once the patient is admitted, the completed boxes are delivered to the child, bringing joy and a much needed distraction during a time that is otherwise unpleasant. 

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation was founded as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2008. TeamConnor raises funds for national childhood cancer research programs, patient programs, and to build awareness of the tremendous need for more research. Less than four percent of the National Institutes of Health’s budget supports childhood cancer research. Since TeamConnor’s inception, the organization has raised more than $1.7 million through generous donors, golf tournament, auctions, fun runs, and various other fundraising events. For more information, please visit: www.teamconnor.org.

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation announced Raymond C. Jordan, Jr. has joined the Dallas-based non-profit’s Board of Directors. As a board member, Jordan will provide direction for the organization and support TeamConnor’s long-term mission to fund research for childhood cancers and patient programs, as well as generate more awareness about childhood cancer.

Ray Jordan is a CPA and an estate and business planning attorney with more than thirty-five years of experience. He is the founding partner of the law firm, Jordan, Houser and Flournoy, which has offices in Dallas and Frisco. He brings his knowledge in tax, accounting, and law to TeamConnor.

TeamConnor has provided more than $1.7 million in grants to the top research hospitals in the United States conducting cutting edge research of childhood cancers. The organization has also funded art activity boxes for cancer patients at Cook Children’s, Children’s Health and Children’s Medical Center Dallas. 

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.  

TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the III Forks Golf Classic and Auction Dinner (May), Splash Out Childhood Cancer (July), National Childhood Cancer Awareness Concert (September) and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot in November. In addition, TeamConnor’s national Coins for Kids with Cancer® program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research. More information on this program can be found at www.coinsforkidswithcancer.org.

For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer, visit teamconnor.org or Facebook.com/TeamConnor.