Life Changing Dallas School Gets a Big Boost in One Lively Evening

What: Grow the Grove

Where: Sixty Five Hundred

PC Moment: Some of Dallas’ most passionate education advocates assembled at the second annual fundraiser benefitting students of Cristo Rey Dallas — a Pleasant Grove-area high school offering a groundbreaking work-study program in addition to a challenging college-prep education.

The evening’s live-auction items were a hit (a stay at a private home in Colorado, a private dinner catered by Nick and Sam’s Grill, a trip to New York City with Billy Joel concert tickets, etc..), but the real highlights were stories from Cristo Rey students about how the school positively affects their future plans.

Namely, Cristo Rey’s work-study program is poised to be a game changer this year. One day each week, students working offsite for one of the school’s corporate partners will earn more than $3 million towards their own education.

An exciting announcement came as the soirée wrapped: An initiative dubbed The Partnership — a group of supporters who co-invest $3,200 each year — will bridge the tuition gap remaining after students and their parents have pitched in.

Who: Co-chairs Muffin and John Lemak, Susan and Gene Palma; honorary chairs Mike and Mary Terry; Kelby and Donna Woodard, David Moran, Liesl and Karl Kuby, Laurie-Jo and Steve Straty, Beth and Chuck Thoele, Leisa Street, Pam and Vin Perella, Mersina Stubbs, Suzy and Larry Gekiere, Shelby Wagner, Julie Hawes, Ron Corning, Jonathan Moon, and Janie and David Condon.