Attendees gathered at the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Annette Strauss Artist Square on April 27 for Family Gateway’s 2nd Annual DAY to PLAY family fundraiser, supporting the agency’s work to provide stability and life-changing services to children and families affected by homelessness.
More than 600 people attended the event, and 150 pairs of new kids’ tennis shoes were collected on site for Family Gateway’s Kicks for Kids Campaign – an effort led by the host committee and their children and supported by the community to provide shoes to children at Family Gateway.
Attendees enjoyed a wide variety of activities and discoveries – from lawn games and yoga to live music and crafts. The day’s entertainment was also paired with a focus on volunteerism and community service, including a basic overview of the scope of families who are experiencing or are near homelessness in Dallas.
Honorary Chair Stephen Hipp and Event Co-Chairs Jen Fahrenbruch, Jennifer Hull, and Mandy Main took the stage in the afternoon to welcome families and honor the Miltenberger Family with Family Gateway’s inaugural Annette G. Strauss Community Service Award for their tireless service to families affected by homelessness.
Music by DJ Kaivan “KB” Bazleh from OontzKids, a performance by HeARTS of Maya founder / singer / dancer Maya Delgado, and a group yoga demo by Hanuman Homies’ founder Stefanie Tovar drew kids to the main stage throughout the day.
(Photo by Lisa Stewart)
Harrison, Jennifer, David, and Ryan Hull
Jerry Tran, Joe Sourivong, Annabelle Nguyen, Jordan Tran, Ayela Biney, Colin Tran, Lila Tran, and Livia Tran
Event Co-Chairs Jennifer Hull, Mandy Main, and Jen Fahrenbruch
Co-Chair Jennifer Hull, Co-Chair Mandy Main, Family Gateway President and CEO Ellen Magnis, and Co-Chair Jen Fahrenbruch
Co-Chairs Jen Fahrenbruch, Jennifer Hull, and Mandy Main
Traci, Greg, and Grayson Carlson
Brendan Smith
Maya Delgado performs
Dallas Stars mascot Victor E. Green entertains the kids
Miltenberger Family honored with the inaugural Annette G. Strauss Community Service Award:
Paula Miltenberger holding Brooks, Bo Miltenberger, Bryce Miltenberger, and Bay Miltenberger
Capes for Kindness
Charlie O’Connell, Zara Westbrook, Larry Westbrook, Alexis O’Connell holding Barrett O’Connell, Andy O’Connell, Marilee O’Connell, Dave O’Connell, and Dryden Razook
Lego fun at an interactive booth
Children share their thoughts on the “How do you help your neighbor?” mural
Sarah and Victoria Zavala with Co-Chair Mandy Main
Charlotte Hunt holding Anders Hunt, John Hunt, and Gigi Hunt
Victoria, John, Sarah, and Rebecca Zavala
Co-Chair Jennifer Hull, Co-Chair Jen Fahrenbruch, Honorary Co-Chair Stephen Hipp, and Co-Chair Mandy Main
Brylee and Emily Thomas
Una Webb, Armando Lorenzo, Lucy Lorenzo, and Oliver Lorenzo
Ashley and Emmy Mitzel
Sebastian Blair and Isabella Harrison
Group Yoga by Hanuman Homies
Jack Krakauer enjoys putting green provided by The First Tee
Abby Smith
Abby, Angela, Colin, and Brendan Smith
Cristy McAtee and Leigh Morales
Jerry, Mrs. Texas Joyce, and Chloe Morrison
Eva, Jeff, Jennifer, Jack, and Cooper Clifton
Basketball fun
Clatyon Main, Mandy Main holding Hank Main, Brooks Main, and Ryder Main
Michelle George holding Paxton George, and Geoff George
Dallas Stars mascot Victor E. Green
Bo, Bay, Bryce, Paula, and Brooks Miltenberger
Barrett O’Connell
Emily, Sullivan, and Liam Lester
Sebastian Blair and Isabella Harrison
Jennifer and Hadleigh DeVeer
Jen and Grace
Jen, Jeff, Noah, Anders, Pax, and Jonah Fahrenbruch