At the end of 2018, Dallas CASA was serving 80% of Dallas County children living in protective care. We are grateful to the volunteers and supporters who make it possible for us to continue gaining significant ground to reach our goal of serving every child who needs us. We could not do it without your generous and unwavering commitment to help child victims of abuse and neglect have safe and permanent homes.

On one special day each September, the  Communities Foundation of Texas presents North Texas Giving Day, a day when a percentage of every gift North Texans make to their favorite charities is matched. In just ten years, North Texas Giving Day has raised $243 million in charitable funds for the North Texas community. Dallas CASA supporters donated nearly $100,000 in 2018 to help us achieve our goal of providing a volunteer advocate for every abused and neglected child in Dallas County who is removed from an unsafe home and placed into protective care. Mark your calendars for Thursday, Sept. 19 and take your stand against child abuse and neglect.

Dallas CASA is pleased to share that we'll be honoring Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki with the 2019 Judge Barefoot Sanders Champion of Children Award at our annual dinner Nov. 14 at the Omni Dallas Hotel.  Known most for his storied 21 years with the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki has made supporting children in need a priority since the earliest days of his professional basketball career. His behind-the-scenes personal involvement at Children's Medical Center earned him the nickname "Uncle Dirk," and he's supported the Heroes Special Olympics softball and Heroes Celebrity baseball games as well. Through the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, numerous organizations serving children and families have benefited from the Nowitzkis' generosity. By lifting up children and families impacted by poverty, abuse, neglect and illness, the Nowitzkis are helping Dallas children find pathways to health and well-being, education and success.  The award is named in honor of Judge Barefoot Sanders, the revered United State District Court judge for the Northern District of Texas, a past award recipient and a steadfast supporter of children. For more information or to buy tickets to the dinner, visit Dallas CASA's website .  To read more about the evening's speaker, visit  My Sweet Charity .

Dallas CASA celebrated the final days of Parade of Playhouses with The Closing Party at  Design Within Reach , NorthPark Center on July 25.  Hosted by the Dallas CASA  Board of Directors , the party honored our playhouse sponsors and builders.  It was a festive evening of entertainment with a fun wine pull, great hors d'oeuvres & beverages. Parade of Playhouses was presented by Crest Cadillac / Crest INFINITI, with KDC serving as grand marshal and NorthPark Center hosting.

To read more about The Closing Party, visit My Sweet Charity . To read more about Parade of Playhouses, visit My Sweet Charity .

The  Dallas CASA Young Professionals  will host a benefit concert September 26, featuring performances by headliner The Rich Girls and opening act The Vinyl Countdown. The concert, Voices for a Cause, brings together supporters of Dallas CASA for drinks and appetizers on  The Rustic 's outdoor patio to support abused and neglected children. For tickets, visit Dallas CASA.