November 14, 2019
HONOREES – Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki
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
CRYSTAL
Citi
Pioneer Natural Resources
Linda and Rob Swartz
GOLD
Anonymous
The Hirsch Family Foundation
The Hoglund Foundation
Kay and Bob Schleckser
SILVER
Comerica Bank
Morgan Lewis
BRONZE
Suzanne McCarron and Robert Andrews / Ricki and Randy Ebner / Margaret and Jaime Spellings
Suzanne Bryan
CB Choi Family Foundation
Retta Miller / Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Paula and Scott Orr
Texas Instruments
The Yotides Family
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 |
