Champion of Children Award Dinner

November 14, 2019

HONOREES – Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki

HONORARY CHAIRS – Mrs. Nakita Johnson and The Hon. Eric Johnson

GUEST SPEAKER – Judge Rosemarie Aquilina

EVENT CO-CHAIRS – Janice and Richard Davis, Hannah and Greg May, Virginia and Edward Schaefer

CHAMPION OF CHILDREN TABLES AND TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE.

Dallas CASA will honor Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki with the Judge Barefoot Sanders Champion of Children Award for their ongoing commitment to making the lives of children better. Since the very beginning of Dirk Nowitzki’s long and storied Dallas Mavericks career, his Dirk Nowitzki Foundation has awarded millions to help disadvantaged children. Since his retirement earlier this year, Dirk and his wife have continued their involvement and investment in the community’s children.

The Champion of Children Award dinner raises funds for Dallas CASA. All proceeds are used to support the volunteer advocates who help abused children find safe, permanent and loving homes. The award is named in honor of Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders, the revered United States District Court judge for the Northern District of Texas, a past award recipient and a steadfast supporter of children.

Guest speaker for the evening is Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, the Michigan circuit court judge who allowed more than 150 abuse survivors to testify in court against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. Aquilina gained national attention for providing time and space for victims to speak publicly prior to Nassar’s sentencing as well as her tough talk to Nassar in the courtroom. “Your decision to assault was precise, calculated, manipulated, devious and despicable,” she said from the bench. “And I want you to know, as much as it was my honor and privilege to hear the survivors, it is my honor and privilege to sentence you. Because, sir, you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again.”

To learn more about the 2019 Champion of Children Award Dinner or underwriting opportunities, please contact Michelle Mai, 469-547-9456 or email.

We are grateful to our 2019 Champion of Children Award Dinner underwriters:

PLATINUM
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Pioneer Natural Resources
Jim Thompson

CRYSTAL
Jana and Mike Brosin
Citi
Crest Cadillac / Crest Infiniti / Crest Volvo
Linda and Rob Swartz
Varidesk

GOLD
Anonymous
The Baldridge Foundation
Fran and Mark Berg
Sandy and Dave Capps
Dallas Mavericks Foundation
The Hirsch Family Foundation
The Hoglund Foundation
Locke Lord LLP
Marshalling Resources
The Rosewood Corporation
Kay and Bob Schleckser

SILVER
Suzanne McCarron and Robert Andrews / Ricki and Randy Ebner / Margaret and Jaime Spellings
Priscilla and Corey Anthony
Comerica Bank
Janice & Richard Davis / Morgan, Lewis
& Bockius LLP
KDC
Deborah Ackerman and John Lozier
Hannah and Greg May
Wilemia Shaw
The Yotides Family

BRONZE
Christine and Jonathan Bassham
Suzanne Bryan
CB Choi Family Foundation
Margaret, Barbara and Ben Cervin
Children’s Health
Bela and Chase Cooley / Megan and Tommy Sterquell
Meredith Davis / Baylor Nursing
Suzanne and John Gibson
Retta Miller / Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Stacey and Bud Moore
Karen and Randy O’Hare
Paula and Scott Orr
Stephen B.L. Penrose
Gina and Randall Porter
Helen and Frank Risch
SAP America, Inc.
Virginia and Edward Schaefer
Lauren and Tyler Scimeca
Shirley & William S. McIntyre Foundation
Slingshot
Texas Instruments
The Wales Family Foundation

Champion of Children past honorees:

2018	The Meadows Foundation	2008	The Hoglund Foundation
2017	Junior League of Dallas	2006	Archon Group, L.P.
2016	NorthPark Center	2005	Todd Wagner
2015	AT&T and its employees	2004	The Hon. Thomas R. Phillips
2014	Pioneer Natural Resources and its employees	2003	The Hon. Harold Barefoot Sanders
2013	Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones	2002	J. McDonald “Don” Williams
2012	ExxonMobil and its employees and retirees	2001	Tom Luce
2011	Southwest Airlines	2000	Paul Coggins
2010	Nancy A. Nasher	1999	The Hon. Florence Shapiro
2009	The Hon. Harriet O’Neill	1998	The Hon. Lee F. Jackson