Written by Charles Hart, SELECT Commercial Services, & Julia Hart, Lincoln Property Company
The 2010 Fill-A-Backpack School Supply Drive, sponsored by Dallas BOMA and Corporate Concierge, Inc., was a huge success! Despite the need to raise additional funds to purchase backpacks, the BOMA Community Service Committee (CSC) was able to exceed 2009’s giving by over 35 additional backpacks! The CSC and participating properties pulled together against many odds and were able to deliver 1,128 backpacks and over 30 boxes/bags of supplies to our local charities.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”~Winston Churchill
This equates to almost 6,000 lbs in backpacks and over 100 lbs. of additional supplies! This was, of course, a joint effort, and we could not have exceeded this year’s goal without the help of every property, concierge, managers and staff, the tenants, and our wonderful delivery volunteers. The Churchill quote is an accurate statement of the hearts of everyone involved who made their life about the end result of the charity drive – the kids!
A total of 34 properties participated in this year’s drive, including Tina Robin,Granite Properties; Jennifer Hughes, Capstar Commercial; Stacy Schellsmidt, Keith Bartlett, Katy Bennett, David Windell, Miranda Clark, Katina Comeaux, Sandie di De LaGardie, Ann Spain, Amanda Baker, and Cassie Points, CB Richard Ellis; Candace Rozell and Kari Rich, Concierge Connection; Holli Biggerstaff, Kodiak Management; Marianne Gunther, Nordstrom; Amy Golly, Equity Office Properties; Kelly Williams and Maria Smith, Transwestern Property Company; Cecilia Ayala and Juanita Cano-Munoz, Two Trees Management; Pam Calder, Fortis Property Group; Amy Booth and Nadine Parks, Cousins Properties; Sandra Smith and Ameka Sanchez, Grubb & Ellis; Kristine Lang, Metropolitan Real Estate Investors; Glenda Lee, Charter Asset Management; Cindy Haughey, Proman International; Kelli Sowards, Piedmont REIT; Regina McClendon and Nadra Davis, Parmenter Realty Partners; Lakshmi Senapathi, Kenexa; Jennifer Nemeth, Bentley Forbes; and Sharon McCallum, Ashley Norman and Julia Hart, Lincoln Property Company.
Special recognition and appreciation goes to Charles Hart, SELECT Commercial Services, for serving as our incredible, tireless transportation coordinator! BOMA members who helped Charles with delivery included: Chuck Williams, Smith Protective Security; Julie McBrayer, ATMAC Mechanical; Dodi Whitmire, Mid America Metals; Scott Frech, Executive Security; Scott Young, Certified Termite & Pest Control; Paul Eaton, International Building Services; Juanita Cano-Munoz, Two-Trees Management;Candace Rozell, Andrea Spence, and Kari Rich, Concierge Connection; and Jacob Irwin,Fujitec Elevators. Special thanks to Candace Rozell, Concierge Connection, for donating additional backpacks, and to Stacy Schellshmidt, CB Richard Ellis, for rallying her tenants to donate $600 to help pay for backpacks!
Additional thanks are owed to Patrick Manning, Proman International, and Bruce Jolesch, PXP Promotions. Due to Patrick’s relationship with Bruce, a former tenant, this wonderful vendor continues to provide supplies at cost and exceptional service for our drives! If you are looking for reasonable quotes on promotional items, please contact Bruce at bruce.jolesch@pxppromotions.com.
Thanks again and hugs to everyone who helped so many precious children get off to a better start this school year!