See the video using the player below or on YouTube:

For more information about the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! program, see site hours and locations and read our frequently asked questions. Training is going on right now, if you'd like to join hundreds of other volunteers as a tax preparer or translator. And please help share the word about the program with people who could benefit using our helpful online tools.

A search in Collin County has led to a disturbing find. Social workers took to the streets Thursday night in an effort to get an accurate count of the area’s homeless population. What they discovered was not only a varied homeless population, but a growing one.

Volunteers canvassed Collin County neighborhoods searching for people like a 44-year-old woman named Debbie.

“Lost my job. Lost my apartment. I lost my car and so I’m just trying to find my way back basically,” explained the woman, who didn’t want her last name used. Debbie was staying at a West Plano hotel. The location is where the homeless mother and her son have called home for more than two years.

Information gathered during the Collin County homeless count won’t be tallied and released until April, but the numbers are expected to be a higher than last year.

“I think people don’t understand that because we are a wealthy county and there are McMansions on every corner… but it’s [homelessness] a serious problem,” explained Lynn Sipiora, the director of the Samaritan Inn Homeless Shelter.

The Samaritan Inn is located in McKinney and is the only homeless shelter in Collin County.

Jimmy Moore lives there with his children. “We had some personal stuff, which brought me here,” said the father of three, who explained how he couldn’t have made it without the shelter. “I struggled for three or four months to pay my bills and then heard about this place.”

Each week, the front desk at Samaritan Inn turns away between 30 and 50 families, simply because they don’t have the room.

Jimmy Moore and the 160 others at the shelter are considered “situational homeless” — which means they’re unemployed and have no savings. That description fits a lot of people including homeless mother Amber Star-Howard.

“When I got here I was really beaten down and didn’t have a whole lot of hope,” she said. Samaritan Inn sits alone because other efforts to build a bigger shelter elsewhere have failed. Neighbors don’t want it "in their backyard."

With an estimated 350 homeless in Collin County, about half are believed to be living in cars or extended-stay motels.

As long as Jimmy, Amber and others living at Samaritan Inn keep looking for work and follow the rules their families receive free meals and can sleep in one of the shelter’s few coveted beds.

Amber said, “Right now they are my security blanket. They brought me in from the cold.”

Samaritan Inn operates on donations from the United Way and faith-based organizations.

Business community support of students, parents and teachers will take on increased importance in light of a decision by the Dallas ISD trustees to close 11 schools, a United Way official said.

Susan Hoff, senior vice president of community impact for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, said the move was an economic decision that was not taken lightly. One of the United Way's major goals between now and 2020 is to increase the number of students who are graduating from DISD who are ready for college or a career.

So, do school closures move the community closer to that goal?

"That depends completely on how it is handled," Hoff said. "If it's handled poorly and children feel displaced and disenfranchised from schools, and their parents feel the same way, then the consequences could be negative.

"If the transition is done well, and there is support of the community -- if business, nonprofits and schools embrace those students and their families -- then I think (the closures) could help."

United Way supports parent education, parent engagement and after-school programs that are operated on school campuses. It's important that those types of programs that operate on closed campuses continue at the new campuses, Hoff said.

Businesses whose employees volunteer in the schools that are closing should encourage those volunteers to get involved at the campus that the students are transferred to, she added. Teachers, as well, should transition with the students to different campuses, she said.

"As a community, we need to figure out how we can support those children and those parents if they have to transition (to another campus)," Hoff said. "What you want to make sure that happens is that children have as many consistencies as they possibly can."

Dallas ISD trustees voted to close 11 schools Thursday night after a raucous meeting. Trustees voted 6-2 to approve the plan, which district officials say will save $11.5 million. Nine elementary schools and two middle schools open are on the list. The schools have low enrollments.

DISD faces tough budget decisions largely because the Texas Legislature has cut about $114 million in funds for the district this school year and the next.

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas president and CEO Jennifer Sampson spoke with WBAP about the event and the importance of the program. Listen to the interview using the audio player below:

To see site hours and locations, read our frequently asked questions about the free tax help program. Training is going on right now, if you'd like to join hundreds of other volunteers as a tax preparer or translator. And please help share the word about the program with people who could benefit using our helpful online tools.

El texto establece que “la posición presupuestaria de los Gobiernos será equilibrada o de superávit”. Esto en la práctica se traduce en que se permitirá a los Estados un déficit máximo del 0,5% del Producto Interior Bruto (PIB). Esta norma, conocida también como “regla de oro” deberá integrarse obligatoriamente en las Constituciones o leyes de rango similar de los Estados firmantes, que serán los 17 de euro obligatoriamente y los demás de la Unión que voluntariamente se sumen, excepto Reino Unido, y ahora República Checa, que han rechazado el acuerdo.

Los líderes europeos han alcanzado esta noche un acuerdo sobre el Tratado Internacional que consagra la austeridad presupuestaria en la zona euro. La gran noticia ha sido la posición de los checos que se han sumado a Reino Unido y quedan fuera del pacto del euro, según ha anunciado el primer ministro sueco, Fredrik Reinfeldt. El compromiso se ha alcanzado también después de negociaciones entre Polonia y Francia para permitir a los países que todavía no han adoptado la moneda única a que participen en algunas cumbres del Eurogrupo.

El texto establece que “la posición presupuestaria de los Gobiernos será equilibrada o de superávit”. Esto en la práctica se traduce en que se permitirá a los Estados un déficit máximo del 0,5% del Producto Interior Bruto (PIB). Esta norma, conocida también como “regla de oro” deberá integrarse obligatoriamente en las Constituciones o leyes de rango similar de los Estados firmantes, que serán los 17 de euro obligatoriamente y los demás de la Unión que voluntariamente se sumen, excepto Reino Unido, y ahora República Checa, que han rechazado el acuerdo.

Last year, very important legislation was passed which impacted the operation of payday and auto title lenders in Dallas and throughout our state. If you or anyone you know is in financial difficulty and considering a short term loan, these laws protect your rights as a consumer.

During last year’s state legislative session, the Anti-Poverty Coalition of Greater Dallas (including, CitySquare, Friendship West Baptist Church, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Catholic Charities, along with a number of other non-profit agencies and service providers) joined the Christian Life Commission, Texas Appleseed, Texas Catholic Charities and 500% Interest is Wrong, urging Texas lawmakers to address the exploitative practices of short term lenders.

Payday and auto title loan outfits create a cycle of debt by charging high fees which mask interest rates which can be upwards of 500% APR. With short terms and no partial payments, borrowers often must borrow again at 500% APR in attempts to pay off the loan. The average payday borrower in Texas pays $840 for a $300 loan.

This state-wide collaboration was successful in getting two bills passed which place new restrictions on Credit Service Organizations (most payday and auto title lenders in Texas are registered as CSOs and will be impacted by this legislation). CSOs are now required to:

• Register with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, and the licensing fee will fund the Texas Financial Education Endowment
• Report on consumer and transaction data
• Clearly disclose fees, typical repayment patterns, and fees of comparable loans
• Post an OCCC helpline number for consumers
• Provide restitution to customers injured by a violation of CSO regulation or Finance Code

Locally, the Anti-Poverty Coalition prevailed in their efforts to get Dallas’ City Council to take action against predatory lenders. On May 25, 2011, the Dallas City Council unanimously passed a zoning ordinance requiring alternative financial institutions to:

• Operate at a minimum distance of 1,500 feet from another location
• Operate at a minimum distance of 300 feet from a lot in a residential district
• Operate at a minimum distance of 500 feet from an expressway
• Only operate in a freestanding building
• Possess a Specific Use Permit (SUP) in all permitted districts On June 22, 2011, the Dallas City Council unanimously passed a regulatory ordinance requiring:
• The loan principal for a payday loan to be capped at 20 percent of the borrower’s gross monthly income, and auto-title loans are capped at 3 percent of the borrower’s gross annual income
• Limits payments to four installment loans with no renewals, or a single payment loan with three renewals or rollovers
• Each installment or renewal payment pay down 25% of the loan principal

These ordinances took effect January 1.

Predatory short term lending drain wealth out of our communities and hamper economic development. More and more, cities are increasingly concerned that payday and auto title loan outfits depress property values, become magnets for crime and give our communities a look of economic decline.

The economic health of our families and our community is dependent upon being smart about the nature of the businesses that court our patronage. The exploitation of those in financially desperate circumstances is best combated with financial education and the public engagement necessary to make certain these businesses operate with integrity.

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas senior vice president of community impact Susan Hoff spoke with KRLD's Mitch Carr about the effort and who is eligible for help. Listen to the interview using the audio player below:

To see site hours and locations, read our frequently asked questions about the free tax help program. Training is going on right now, if you'd like to join hundreds of other volunteers as a tax preparer or translator. And please help share the word about the program with people who could benefit using our helpful online tools.

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has hired Stacey Paddock Malcolmson as the agency’s new senior vice president and chief development officer to lead the agency in its effort to raise $300 million for the North Texas community by 2015.

Funds raised will support United 2020 efforts to break the cycles of high school dropouts, poverty and unhealthy behaviors over the next decade. Malcolmson begins her new post Feb. 1.

“We are thrilled to announce Stacey as the newest member of our leadership team,” said United Way of Metropolitan Dallas President and CEO Jennifer Sampson. “She’s an extraordinarily intelligent, experienced leader who brings not only a peak skill set to this job, but also a real passion for the meaningful work of United Way.”

Malcolmson heads to United Way from Southern Methodist University where she served as executive director of alumni giving and relations for the past six years. Through her work on the Second Century Campaign at SMU, Malcomson's efforts resulted in explosive growth in alumni giving.

“Stacey is the perfect addition to United Way’s team — a sophisticated, strategic thinker and a collaborative leader who can form lasting connections,” said United Way Board Chair Debbie Taylor, who is also regional director for Citi Community Development.

Before her post at SMU, Malcolmson worked at Plano-based Frito-Lay Inc. for nearly seven years where she held various high-level marketing positions, including senior product manager. Before joining Frito-Lay, Malcolmson worked in marketing at Bayer Consumer Care Division in New Jersey and in investment banking for CS First Boston Corp. in New York and London.

“I am honored and eager to lead United Way’s development efforts — critical to achieving long-term solutions for our community in the key impact areas of education, income and health,” Malcolmsom said.

Malcolmson replaces Rana Smith, who served as United Way’s chief development officer for more than eight years. Smith left United Way in June to lead development at Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization based in Utah.

Today’s children are the first Americans since 1900 projected to have a shorter life span than their parents.

I reported that statistic yesterday, but truly it bears repeating. For this generation, being overweight is not just about looks, it’s about diabetes, heart disease, stroke and a host of health issues.

The McKinney ISD is working hard to reverse this trend and is already achieving successes in its goal of becoming the healthiest school district in America. A key component of the District’s efforts is the Healthy Zone School Recognition program, created by The Cooper Institute in partnership with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Texas Education Agency to promote healthy practices in schools. The program sets out a series of goals for schools to promote healthy practices plus a recognition program for healthy schools.

Last fall, Burks Elementary School was the first school in the nation to be named “The Healthiest School in America” by the Healthy Zone School Recognition program. Malvern and Caldwell elementaries were also honored as “Healthy Zone Schools – In Training,” which means they are also working the program. Just 12 Healthy Zone Schools and 58 Healthy Zone Schools – In Training will be selected during this 6-year program, and each school will be eligible to receive incentives and funding valued over $7,000, in addition to the guidance and leadership provided by the prestigious Cooper Institute.

McKinney ISD has already received $21,000 in grants from the Healthy Zone School program for the achievements by Burks, Malvern and Caldwell elementaries — funds that are being used to further the District’s Healthy Schools initiatives.

The two main components of the program are the kid-friendly Fitnessgram®, which teaches children about physical fitness, and Nutrigram®, which teaches students about nutrition.

Fitnessgram helps coaches, students and their families assess the fitness of each student and provides improvement goals for each year. Students complete fitness tests throughout the year in several areas such as sit-ups, push-ups, running a mile, etc. to assess their strength and endurance. There is also a body composition assessment based on the students’ height and weight. These scores are used to set goals for improvement in specific areas for that school year. The Fitnessgram assessment results are shared with parents to give them an objective account of their children’s fitness levels.

The nutrition component is being taught through Nutrigram, a program which assesses elementary children’s knowledge and attitudes about food. Nutrigram is designed for third through sixth grade students and includes an educational videogame called, “The Quest to Lava Mountain” that teaches kids about nutrition in a fun and interactive way. The program was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as an educational tool.

Minshew Elementary also has been recognized for its health education programs, this time by the USDA, not only for serving healthy cafeteria meals in compliance with new USDA guidelines, but also by educating students on nutrition and physical education.

Deputy Administrator of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service Audrey Rowe visited Minshew in Dec. 2010, to present Principal Susie Towber with the USDA gold award for excellence in school nutrition through the USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge. The program is a component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation.

McKinney elementary schools are also utilizing a curriculum to teach the nutritional value of foods through the “Go,” “Slow,” “Whoa” program. “Go” foods are very healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, “Slow” foods are foods that should be eaten in moderation, and “Whoa” foods have almost no nutritional value such as candy or sodas. Teachers are finding many students have no knowledge of which foods are healthy and which ones are not.

“When we started this program, we were finding that some kids thought an orange soda was good for them because it had an orange on the can,” said MISD Health and PE Facilitator Karin Klemm. “But students are learning and hopefully it will impact the decisions they make in the future.”

While childhood obesity remains a national issue, it is comforting to know there are so many people and organizations working together to change the future through educating our young people. Old habits are harder to break, so starting kids out with the knowledge they need to create good habits from the beginning is certainly the logical first step toward reversing our expanding waist lines.

Two big changes reshaped the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas in 2011.

First, the organization stopped trying to be all things to all people and started putting all of its funding into three areas: education, income and health.

Second, the 86-year-old nonprofit got a new leader. Longtime president and CEO Gary Godsey retired in July and Jennifer Sampson, formerly the chief operating officer, ascended to the top job in September. Sampson, who joined United Way in 2001, is the first woman to hold the chief executive slot.

The United Way will consider its three-pronged approach a success if, by 2020:

• 50 percent more students are prepared for success after high school
• 250,000 Dallas-area people are permanently pulled out of poverty
• Access to health care across the area improves

The nonprofit has shifted fundraising from annual goals to five-year horizons to encourage longer-term, bigger-picture thinking and impact, Sampson said. And, United Way has assembled an all-star lineup of North Texas corporate chiefs to serve as chairman of the fundraising campaign, including AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson in 2011, Texas Instruments CEO Rich Templeton in 2012 and Kimberly-Clark CEO Tom Falk in 2013.

The change in strategy is resonating with North Texas corporations, Sampson said. Dozens had broken their own fundraising records as of early November. Atmos Energy Corp., for example, beat its previous-year high by more than 22 percent and passed the $1 million mark for the first time. “It feels like a new day at the United Way,” Sampson said. “Positive results will continue to roll in on the fundraising side. We have a lot of confidence that we are going to cross the finish line victorious when we announce our revenue results in 2012.”

By Tammye Nash, Dallas Voice (source)

Bret Camp

Resource Center Dallas was set to dedicate a complete new suite in its dental clinic on Friday, Dec. 16, and RCD Executive Director and CEO Cece Cox said the new suite is being named in honor of Bret Camp, former RCD associate director in charge of the agency’s health services.

“We wanted to honor Bret’s 16 years with this agency, and his knowledge and service to our community,” Cox said. “We felt naming this dental suite after him was an appropriate way to do that.”

Camp left Resource Center Dallas last summer due to health issues.

The dental clinic is housed within the Nelson-Tebedo Clinic, located on Cedar Springs Road near the intersection with Throckmorton Street.

Cox also noted that the costs of construction for the new dental suite and the cost of staffing it for one year came to $125,000, and was fully funded by United Way of Dallas. Those funds were part of the $225,000 total RCD received from United Way.

“Dental care is one of the highest priority needs” for people with HIV/AIDS who access health care assistance in Dallas County, Cox said, adding that facilities to meet the growing need were lacking.

“With this new dental suite, we can serve more clients and we can get them in for care faster,” Cox said. With the new suite in place, she said, RCD’s dental clinic will be serving about 1,000 clients a year.

As federal funding priorities shift and funding for HIV/AIDS-related services decline, Cox said last month that RCD is among those agencies looking for ways to expand its clinical services beyond just the HIV/AIDS community. But, she added this week, doing so will be a long and complex process.

“When you have a program funded with federal money, you have to keep that segregated, completely separate from your other services,” Cox said. “You can just lump it all together.”

Cox also said that RCD officials are considering whether some services now housed at the Nelson-Tebedo Clinic on Cedar Springs Road will remain at that location after the center moves into planned new facilities at Cedar Springs and Inwood Road. Construction on the new facility, designed by architect James Langford who was trained by I.M. Pei, is set to begin in 2014.

Cox said that a lot of the work of the Nelson-Tebedo Clinic revolves around HIV/AIDS testing and prevention efforts, and that the clinic’s current location in the center of the area traditionally considered Dallas’ LGBT neighborhood is most advantageous to that work.

“Right now, the clinic is located right in the heart of the neighborhood. It is a good location for those services, and that is a historically important site,” Cox said. “We do see some big advantages to continuing to maintain a presence there even after our new facilities are built.”

December 21, 2011

New dental suite dedicated at Nelson Tebedo is named for Camp

By David Taffet, Dallas Voice (source)

Bret Camp, former associate executive director for health and medical services for Resource Center Dallas, checks out the Nelson-Tebedo Clinic’s new dental suite, named in his honor on Friday, Dec. 16. RCD’S Executive Director and CEO Cece Cox and members of the Resource Center staff gathered at the clinic for the dedication ceremony, as did Camp, who retired last summer due to health issues. The new facility and staffing was paid for by a grant from United Way. Cox said that the added chair is expected to cut waiting time for appointments from four months to less than four weeks and increase the number of clients served by 175 people to 1,155. Camp said he completed chemotherapy treatment recently, has been given a good prognosis and is feeling strong and healthy.

TI employees and retirees and the Texas Instruments Foundation gave a combined $4.9 million to benefit United Way during this year's campaign. Nearly 5,600 employees across the U.S., including 350 new donors, contributed $2.8 million, an increase over last year's participants and contributions.

In North Texas, almost 46 percent of TI employees gave $2.4 million to the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. These gifts combined with a TI Foundation grant resulted in $4.1 million for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

The contributions go to the local United Way and partner agencies, making an impact and addressing issues in the areas of education, income and health.

Andy Smith, TI director of corporate philanthropy, said employees across the country not only provided financial support, but also volunteered their time and expertise in 2011 to positively affect their communities.

"The effort put forth this year by TI employees to accomplish a successful campaign focused on creating meaningful change in our communities is inspiring," Smith said.

Smith said dedicated TI volunteers across the U.S. led a successful campaign. The competition between the United Way campaign teams is friendly but intense. In Dallas, the Worldwide Procurement & Logistics (WPL) achieved more than 80 percent participation and led the pack.

"WPL is a fun and competitive group," said Shannon Suber, TI's director of Economic Inclusion. "We finished first in business unit participation for the second year in a row. Our 2011 goal was to grow our results and enjoy some fun events along the way. Because United Way is such an awesome organization, folks are excited to participate."

In Dallas, the number of new hires who participated increased to more than 40 percent. TI sites across the U.S. increased participation, with those in Rochester, MN, Tucson, AZ and Stafford, TX, seeing significant growth.

"TI employees take a lot of pride in helping our communities," Smith said. "We are proud of our employees who led our campaign teams and those who gave their money and their time to make a difference. Our communities will benefit because of these efforts and many lives will be permanently improved."

United Way remains TI's and the TI Foundation's primary health and human services focus because the organization reliably identifies the most pressing community challenges, partners with proven agencies, and provides financial support that provides measurable results. TI's commitment is demonstrated at all levels of the company from TI President, Chairman and CEO Rich Templeton's serving as the company's campaign chairman and numerous employees volunteering with United Way in various capacities.

COMMUNITY-MINDED: Jennifer Sampson, president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, reads to students at an Uplift Education school in East Dallas, which the nonprofit organization supports.

Title

CEO and President,
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Why You Need to Know Her

Not just because she's the first woman president and CEO at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, the largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in North Texas, but because Jennifer Sampson is changing the way the 86-year-old nonprofit runs.

"I think women, oftentimes, are an underutilized resource," she says. "Women, I believe, have the power to change a community."

Sampson was named to the post in September, following the retirement of the organization's former chief, Gary Godsey. She initially joined United Way in 2001 as chief financial officer, following a 10-year stint as an auditor with a large accounting firm; she was promoted to chief operating officer in 2004.

Her accounting background has helped push the nonprofit toward higher accountability standards — and meeting expectations of the group's estimated 90,000+ donors. "My dad taught me that if you understand how to read financial statements and you understand the financial structure of any organization, you can pretty much do whatever you want," Sampson says.

There's no denying the organization's impact. United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has a $45 million annual budget, more than 5,000 volunteers, and nearly 80 employees. Last year the group released its 10-year strategic plan. Called United 2020, it includes goals for improvements in education, income, and health. As COO, Sampson played a critical role in developing the plan; now she's in charge of implementing it.

"That whole process has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences I've ever had," she says, "because I see the needs in the community. I know how complex these issues are.... It's the mission that keeps me up at night, and it also gets me out of bed in the morning."

Watch the video using the player below or on the CBS 11 website.

In Texas, 40 percent of children are considered overweight or obese.

The United Way, the Cooper Institute and NFL-Hall-of-Famer Troy Aikman are hoping to change that.

Aikman stopped by News 8 to talk about the Healthy Zone School Recognition Program.

Note: Watch the video using the player above or visit the WFAA website.

Age: 41 Occupation: President and CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas — one of the largest private nonprofit organizations in North Texas Neighborhood: Preston Hollow (Photo: Allison Slomowitz)

What was your first job?

I worked for the Texas Rangers in the parking lots at the original stadium in Arlington when I was in high school. I’m so proud of our World Series contenders!

As a child, what job did you dream of having?

I LOVE music, and when I was younger, I always dreamed of being a professional singer and performer. I was the proud president of the show choir in high school, a true 1980s Gleek, and I never hesitated to raise my hand for talent shows — “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow” and “Delta Dawn” were personal favorites and crowdpleasers at Baptist church camps across Texas and Arkansas. At Baylor, I was a Kappa Picker and my swan song was an unforgettable nod to Carmen Miranda in the Kappa Kappa Gamma 1991 All University Sing Act — “Yes, we have no bananas; we have no bananas today.” In my early 20s, I realized that my rock star dreams were hugely disproportionate to my musical abilities and accepted a job as an auditor with Arthur Andersen in Dallas.

What is something people don’t know about you?

I was crowned Homecoming Queen twice — as a senior at Arlington High School, and again as a senior at Baylor University. My dad still calls me “queenie.”

Why did you choose to live in Preston Hollow?

We love the Preston Hollow community — and especially appreciate our friends and neighbors’ spirit of volunteerism. People here are proactive and passionate about giving their time and resources to nonprofit causes they believe in.

What does Preston Hollow need?

I vote for Roma, Italia’s Sant’Eustachio il caffè — the best coffee in the world.

What do you want your epitaph to say?

“I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” — George Bernard Shaw

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I am disappointed when people accept failure. Failure is a comma, not a period.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

• Two ears, one mouth: Listen twice as much as you talk.
• Look people in the eye when you talk to them.
• Stand up for yourself.
• Smile; it don’t cost nothing. (Bad grammar, good lesson)
• If you don’t have the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it over?
• Always say “please,” “thank you,” “yes, sir,” and “no, ma’am.”
• Learn to think for yourself.
• If you don’t know something, look it up.
• When you need help, ask for it. When others need help, give it.
• Doing the right thing always has its reward.
• If you mess up, apologize.
• Anything worth having is worth working for.
• You don’t need someone to complete you. Complete yourself.
• Successful people make a habit of doing the things unsuccessful people don’t want to do.

What was the greatest gift you’ve received?

My husband, Edward Walter Sampson III, was the first greatest gift on July 17, 2004. The second was our 4-year-old son, Hilton Edward Sampson, born on March 19, 2007. He is named after another very important man in my life, my father, Dr. Jerry Hilton. Dr. J has always been a supermodel for a life welllived, and I will always have extraordinarily high expectations for all the men in my life because of him.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by others who choose — each day — to live a life that matters. Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It is not a matter of circumstance. It is a matter of choice.

What’s on your mind?

I hope the people of Preston Hollow will join me, and countless others, to support the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ United 2020 vision. Together we are focused on changing lives permanently by breaking the destructive, costly cycles of high school dropouts, poverty, and poor health in North Texas. I am committed to making these bold goals a reality, and I am counting on your support. With your help we will change the face of our community forever, and Dallas will continue to be the very best place for all of us to live, work, and raise our families.

Listen to their conversation using the audio player below.

The volunteer event held through REAL School Gardens — a United Way-funded program — yielded an outdoor learning classroom that will be utilized by students at John J. Pershing Elementary School.

“It was great,” said volunteer Kerri Alderman of UPS, who brought along her husband, Rob, and their children, Alex, 9, and Emma, 7. “I love that the kids can help out too. We always want to volunteer as a family but don’t always have the chance. I want to get my kids started young so that they understand the importance of giving back to the community.”

Cindy Hicks, whose been with Citi for 26 years, said she loves gardening and being able to give young students a chance to enjoy a learning garden sounded like the perfect way to spend a Saturday.

Jeanette Robert, of Hillcrest Bank, echoed Hicks, adding that the chance to volunteer with others — more than 25 United Way volunteers attended the event — and “see what’s happening in the community” was a can’t-miss opportunity.

“The big thing for me is not just giving financially to United Way,” Robert said, “but also getting out there and experience giving back to the community.”

View pictures from the event >

Want to get involved?

Sign up for the next United Way and REAL School Garden build >

(DALLAS, TX) — United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) and The Cooper Institute® will join in hosting the groundbreaking Dallas Children’s Health Summit. The Summit is a community-wide event that will bring together health care organizations, businesses, medical professionals, teachers and school administrators, city health professionals and individuals interested in obesity issues in their home or community with the ultimate goal of wiping out childhood obesity in the Dallas area. The summit will take place on November 18th from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Cooper Institute on the Cooper Aerobics Center campus, located at 12230 Preston Road in Dallas.

Summit participants will focus on developing a set of measures and goals that regional experts agree will help pave the way toward a slowing of, and eventually the decline of, cases of childhood obesity in this region. Partners will then begin the work of identifying roles and tackling those goals to break the destructive, costly cycle of childhood obesity permanently.

The Dallas Children’s Health Summit will be convening breakout sessions to gather information from key experts to understand strengths, challenges and direction moving forward with the development of a strong collaborative anti-childhood obesity effort in Dallas. Two nationally known speakers and champions for children’s health — Sarah Wu, author of Fed Up with Lunch, and Amy Dawson Taggert, National Director of Mission: Readiness — will inspire participants and ask them to become actively engaged in our work.

About our Speakers

Sarah Wu, author, Fed Up with Lunch
Sarah Wu is a speech pathologist working for Chicago Public Schools. After eating a couple unfortunate school lunches in the Fall of 2009, she decided to eat and anonymously blog her way through a calendar year's worth of school lunch at her school under the pseudonym “Mrs. Q” on her blog FedUpWithLunch.com. The blog quickly became an internet sensation with thousands of hits daily and praise from food activists such as Mark Bittman, Jamie Oliver and Marion Nestle. As the anonymous Mrs. Q, Sarah Wu spoke at The Mayo Clinic's Center for Innovation's Transform Symposium 2010, BlogHer Food 2010 and 2011, Mom Congress 2011 and BlogHer 2011. Wu has written a book about her experience eating school lunch for a year, in which she reveals her true identity for the first time, scheduled to release in October 2011 entitled Fed Up with Lunch: How One Anonymous Teacher Revealed the Truth about School Lunches — And How We Can Change Them! (Chronicle Books). She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and son. To learn more please visit FedUpWithLunch.com.

Amy Dawson Taggart, National Director, Mission: Readiness
In November of 2008, Amy Dawson Taggart became the National Director of Mission: Readiness, the nonpartisan, nonprofit, national security organization led by retired generals, admirals and former cabinet officials. Mission: Readiness works to prepare upcoming generations of young Americans to uphold the country’s national security and economic prosperity by ensuring that they get a good start in life so they are more likely to graduate from high school, stay physically fit and abide by the law. Since 2008, Mission: Readiness has released major national and state-specific reports, including Too Fat to Fight; has met with top-ranking state and federal policymakers; and held news conferences around the country calling for evidence-based investments to improve the odds that young people will grow up to be productive citizens.

About the Childhood Health and Obesity Reduction Initiative

Experts in childhood obesity have met during the year for closed-door summits to develop a regional collaborative to eradicate childhood obesity in our DFW region. The DRC is the catalyst, alongside its membership and leadership of the Health Care Committee, for bringing together the region’s non-profit community focused on obesity issues.

The Childhood Health and Obesity Reduction Initiative was designed to form a community collaborative with an identified lead advocate to advance a strategic, community-wide set of principles and goals toward the slowing of, the decline of and ultimately the eradication of childhood obesity in the Dallas region. United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has stepped forward as the lead advocate to partner with the DRC and will accept the project handoff later this fall. United Way has committed to lead the community to develop a plan for the Dallas area by June 2012.

A key component of this new collaborative will be that all external agendas will be checked at the door. A collective effort of this nature allows for new dollars to flow into this community that will support every group’s programs, should they support the regional plan. Working together we can improve the health of the children of Dallas and continue to lead the Dallas region to become the most desirable place to live and work in the United States.

About the Dallas Regional Chamber

The Dallas Regional Chamber is the area’s leading membership-driven business organization committed to promoting economic prosperity by leading economic development, driving improvements in public education, influencing public policy, and catalyzing and advocating for regional partnerships. The Chamber works to ensure that the Dallas region will become the most economically prosperous region — and the most desirable place to live and work — in the United States. The Chamber is a not for profit organization comprised of businesses which represent all facets of the North Texas business community. For more information, please contact the Dallas Regional Chamber at 214.746.6600 or visit www.dallaschamber.org.

About United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas offers North Texans highly effective ways to help people change their lives forever. United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of programs to improve Education, Income and Health in Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and southern Denton counties. By breaking the cycles of dropouts, poverty and poor health for hundreds of thousands of people over the next ten years, United Way donors, volunteers and advocates will create long-term improvements throughout the region. To learn more, please visit UnitedWayDallas.org.

About The Cooper Institute

Established in 1970 by Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, The Cooper Institute (CI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to health research and education, housing one of the world’s largest databases on exercise and health. Each year CI develops engaged learners in fitness and health with its courses and nationally accredited personal trainer certification exam (CI-CPT). The Cooper Institute offers web-based tools for schools to track and report on youth fitness and nutrition: FITNESSGRAM® and NutriGram®. For more information, visit CooperInstitute.org.

But one recent Friday — 11.11.11 (Nov. 11) — proved to be particularly special.

That’s when more than 80 United Way volunteers stopped in at 10 Dallas elementary schools and read to students. This United Way volunteer event supported Dallas ISD and the launch of its Dallas Reads initiative.

With bunches of elementary students intently listening from their classroom reading carpets or library corners, United Way volunteers read stories, engaged them in conversation and demonstrated the importance of reading.

“I had a wonderful time. It went so well,” said Alison Woods, of PepsiCo, who read Three Little Kittens to first graders at Bowie Elementary (a Healthy Zone School).

Woods was able to establish a nice back-and-forth with her students, engaging them in their story book.

“I would say the letter ‘M’ and they would say “Meow,’” Woods said with a smile. “We talked a lot…In fact, I had to break away. We were having such a good time; I wish I could have stayed longer.”

The morning was billed as “spend 11 minutes on 11.11.11 reading to Dallas students.” Needless to say volunteers stuck around well beyond the initial 11-minute commitment.

“It was a marvelous opportunity to read to a super group of children,” said Kathryn Waldman, of Commercial Metals Company, who visited Dealey Elementary.
Volunteers hope the mini story time inspires the kids to grab a book on their own or with their families. 

“I know how important it is for kids to enjoy reading,” said volunteer Lauren McCarthy of LIFT (Literacy Instruction for Texas), which receives a United Way grant. “If they begin reading at a young age, they’ll read for the rest of their lives.”

View photos from the event>

Want to get involved?

Become a reader, tutor or mentor>

Watch the video using the player below or on YouTube.

On Nov 11, 2011, beginning at 11:11 a.m., volunteers from across the city will join together to read to Dallas ISD students for 11 minutes to promote the importance of reading. Organizers have been working to recruit 1,111 volunteers to take part in the initiative by reading to students on the same day, at the same time.

Dallas ISD School Board President Lew Blackburn will be joined by Mayor of Dallas Mike Rawlings, and United Way President and CEO Jennifer Sampson to talk about the initiative at the news conference.

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has been instrumental in recruiting volunteers to read at Dallas ISD schools. Education partners Transamerica and McGraw-Hill are also supporting the effort through the donation of thousands of books to help build Dallas ISD students’ reading collections at school and at home.

The Hampton-Illinois library is located at 2951 S. Hampton Rd.

For more information about the initiative, go to www.DallasISD.org/11-11-11.

(DALLAS, TX) — Dozens of North Texas corporations have smashed their own fundraising records as they rally support for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas annual campaign. This year’s outstanding United Way Pacesetters ran early United Way campaigns to inspire the North Texas community to come together behind targeted efforts to break the cycles of high school dropouts, poverty and poor health.

United Way Pacesetters will be recognized at an awards luncheon sponsored by AT&T Real Yellow Pages from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November, 10th at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Pacesetters are part of the larger, 87th annual United Way of Metropolitan Dallas fundraising campaign, which is underway through early 2012.

Highlights from United Way Pacesetter companies, which run workplace United Way campaigns between mid-March and mid-October, include:

• AT&T/CWA 6215 increased contributions by more than 27 percent. AT&T Chairman, President and CEO Randall Stephenson is chairing the overall United Way of Metropolitan Dallas campaign.
• Atmos Energy Corporation beat its previous-year high by more than 22 percent and passed the $1 million mark for the first time. Employees at Atmos service centers donated 300 percent more than last year.
• Celanese Corporation combined a strong employee giving campaign with a golf tournament that broke by 27 percent the all-time record the company already owned for money raised at a special event on behalf of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.
• The average Citi employee gift increased by 17 percent this year.
• At Comerica Bank, 97 percent of employees participated in this year’s campaign — generating a 9 percent increase over last year’s total.
• HOLT CAT’s campaign total increased by 181 percent as employee gifts increased by 40 percent this year.

“In alignment with our core value of ‘Commitment (Demonstrating a Caring Attitude),’ we support United Way as the most effective way to support the communities in which we live and work,” said HOLT CAT President and Chief Executive Peter Holt.

Four corporations will be recognized at the luncheon with Pacesetter LIVE UNITED Awards for their outstanding work through Giving, Advocating and Volunteering for United Way. The organizations are: Atmos Energy Corporation, Celanese Corporation, Energy Future Holdings Portfolio of Companies, and McLane Foodservice.

Seven Pacesetter companies each have raised more than $1 million and will also be recognized at the event: AT&T/CWA 6215, Atmos Energy Corporation, Celanese Corporation, Citi, Energy Future Holdings Portfolio of Companies, jcpenney, and UPS.

“United Way Pacesetters set the bar by inspiring other businesses and organizations in our community,” says United Way of Metropolitan Dallas President and CEO Jennifer Sampson. “The generosity of these companies and their employees provide the foundation each year for United Way’s work to forever change the lives of countless North Texans.”

People who want to prepare students to graduate and succeed, enable families leave poverty permanently and empower people to live healthy, responsible lives can find multiple ways to get involved at UnitedWayDallas.org.

View photos from the event.

About United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas offers North Texans highly effective ways to help people change their lives forever. United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of programs to improve Education, Income and Health in Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and southern Denton counties. By breaking the cycles of dropouts, poverty and poor health for hundreds of thousands of people over the next ten years, United Way donors, volunteers and advocates will create long-term improvements throughout the region. To learn more, please visit UnitedWayDallas.org.

On Oct. 18, more than 30 Women of Tocqueville members volunteered to be that spark for local students. Members were paired one-on-one with Uplift Education students in the Road to College course, a United Way-funded program, at Peak Preparatory School in Dallas. Volunteers helped the high school juniors and seniors with college-readiness skills, including resumé writing, interviewing skills, and SAT practice problems.

The evening was rewarding and memorable no matter which side of the table you were on, said Shakeya A. McDow of Ernst & Young. “At the end of the session, the student I was working with said, ‘Ms. McDow, thank you. I learned so much tonight. You could have been spending your time somewhere else, but you all decided to come here and spend it with us,’” McDow recalled. “I had an amazing time.”

You, too, can change a child’s life forever. Become a United Way volunteer reader, tutor or mentor and see how sometimes the most important time you take for yourself is the time you make for someone else.

Sign up now >

Jennifer Sampson (center), newly chosen president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, has the confidence of many of her peers, including Ernst & Young's Clint McDonnough, chairman of the search committee that selected her, and Debbie Taylor, United Way board chairwoman. (Photo by Ben Torres, special contributor)

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas recently settled on its newest president and CEO, Jennifer Hilton Sampson, who had been the agency’s chief operating officer and executive vice president for 10 years.

The agency is in the midst of historic change, and Sampson, the first woman to head the United Way here, was the unanimous choice when the board voted on Sept. 13.

Gary Godsey, the previous president and CEO, announced his retirement shortly before a fund drive was to begin Sept. 20, so there was little or no time for a nationwide recruiting effort.

The United Way got lucky: Sampson, a 41-year-old wife, mother and CPA, has bona fides in business and the community. That, coupled with her impeccable relations with others in the United Way, made the board’s choice easier.

For the first time in its history, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas opened its funding process to all eligible local nonprofits last year. In May, grants were awarded to 78 service providers, 18 of them new. Thirty-one former partners were not funded, either because they did apply, did not align with United Way’s focus on education, poverty and health, or did not contend as well in the volunteer vetting process as competing grant proposals.

Put simply, there were winners and losers, and joy was not universal.

Donors can still ask that their funds be designated to agencies that didn’t make the cut. But as the director of one midsize agency that was a loser pointed out: “That is not as easy to live with, since you cannot make up your annual budget based on the hope that you may receive some funding down the road.”

One of the larger agencies that didn’t receive funding, the Visiting Nurse Association, is in the market for a development officer. But many of the smaller agencies that were dropped do not have that luxury.

Fund drive changes

The agency is also changing the way it does its fund drive. You may have noticed a little less fanfare than usual about this year’s campaign. That’s because the United Way is in the second year of a five-year effort to raise more than $300 million.

After her appointment, Sampson said: “I am excited to lead this organization to achieve long-term solutions in our impact areas of education, income and health, but we cannot do that alone. I am committed to removing barriers of engagement, strengthening relationships with nonprofit providers and working closely with community partners to change lives in North Texas forever.”

Before joining United Way, Sampson began her career with Arthur Andersen in 1991. She spent 10 years in the Dallas unit of the firm’s audit practice. Sampson received her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University . She is a CPA in Texas and has completed executive education courses through Harvard Business School.

In addition to being a founding member of the United Way Women of Tocqueville Society and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Dallas, Sampson was a member of the Cattle Baron’s Ball Committee from 2001 to 2008. She served on the 2007-09 board of directors for the Baylor University Alumni Association and has been a member of the Crystal Charity Ball Committee since 2009. She chaired the 2010 Flora Award and is a member of the board for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Foundation and the 2011 Dallas Assembly. Sampson serves on the Customer Advisory Board for Atmos Energy and is a graduate of Leadership Dallas.

United Way board chair Debbie Taylor of Citi Community Development said: “She is a phenomenal leader, convener and collaborator. She’s authentic, passionate and truly cares about people.

“In addition to her long history of experience in both business and nonprofit sectors, partners praised her communication skills, her ability to build relationships across all spectrums and her impeccable integrity.”

United 2020 goals

The United Way is working to achieve its United 2020 community goals, which include preparing 50 percent more students for success after high school, pulling 250,000 people out of poverty permanently and improving access to health care across the region.

“I am excited to lead United Way as we continue to achieve our groundbreaking United 2020 work, focused on breaking the destructive cycles of high school dropouts, poverty and poor health in North Texas,” Sampson said. “With the help of vital community partners, I’m committed to making these bold 10-year goals a reality.”

Search committee chair Clint McDonnough of Ernst & Young LLP said that Sampson “will work to create a culture where our constituents are at the center of United Way’s vision, by showing our partners humility and great respect. She’s devoted to working closely with United Way service providers, donors, volunteers and staff to make our community a better place to live and work.”

Larry James, president and CEO of City Square and chair of the Chamber of Human Service Non-Profits, added: “She will be the perfect catalyst to inspire us to work together effectively.”

Call 214-978-0000 or log on to the website at unitedwaydallas.org to contribute to the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

During the Play 60 Football Clinic, eight Dallas Cowboys players — Alex Albright, Robert Calloway, Bruce Carter, Shaun Chapas, Dwayne Harris, Andre Holmes, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and Teddy Williams — instructed and encouraged students to complete various fitness activities and find new and engaging ways to stay healthy for a lifetime. As part of the event, the Dallas Cowboys presented Bonham Elementary with a $2,500 grant to purchase much-needed fitness equipment. The team also presented the YMCA of Fort Worth, a United Way of Tarrant County service provider, with a $2,500 grant for youth fitness purposes.

The event was part of the thirteenth annual NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle — a series of fitness projects taking place in NFL markets nationwide. The youth fitness initiative aligns with the United Way call to action for people to LIVE UNITED: to give, advocate and volunteer, specifically in the key areas of Education, Income and Health, to change lives forever.

Coverage of the event included the following:

• The Dallas Morning News online and Metro section
• KRLD
• DallasCowboys.com

NFL Play 60, Dallas Cowboys, United Way hold fitness camp

Video by Ron Baselice, photos by Patrick T. Fallon, The Dallas Morning News (source: video, photos)

The Dallas Cowboys and the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas held a fitness camp at Bonham Elementary School as part of the 13th annual NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle. The event promotes fitness among students in the fight against childhood obesity.

Video:

Photos (click to open gallery):

Get outside and get fit

By Mitch Carr, KRLD

Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Alex Albright spoke with Mitch Carr from KRLD about the importance of inspiring kids to get fit and about things parents can do with their kids to encourage healthier behaviors. Listen to their conversation using the audio player below:

Dallas Cowboys Play 60 for annual NFL United Way Hometown Huddle

By DallasCowboys.com (source)

Click photos to enlarge:

By The Dallas Morning News (source)

Note: The Concilio's Parents Advocating for Student Excellence program receives a grant from the United Way Community Impact Fund and is part of the United Way program Destination: Graduation.

Alba Guillen, holding her baby, Elena Tavares, listens to a lecture during a class for parents in the Concilio education program.

Concilio success story

Parents graduating from DISD’s engagement course: 2010-11 school year: 1,195 2009-10 school year: 1,004 2002-present: 6,194 A survey of about 2,100 DISD parents who graduated from the course shows: 90.2 percent of their children graduated from high school. 78 percent of those graduates went on to college, community college or technical school.

Even if a child is blessed with the very best teacher and principal in the district, that student still needs adults at home who monitor homework, meet with instructors and help navigate the confusing maze of the school system. If you don’t believe us, look at the research. Stacks upon stacks of it show that active parents generally make the difference between which students succeed and which fail.

Despite all that, parental engagement efforts in Dallas schools are in disarray because of budget cuts in Austin and short-sighted decisions by local school administrators. This is particularly devastating for at-risk students whose parents don’t know how to penetrate school hierarchy or who hang back because of language barriers.

Most recently, DISD canceled two important parent initiatives and virtually wiped out the office responsible for coordinating parental programs. Yes, the state cuts are the root cause. And, to its credit, DISD has launched a new effort to train parent leaders across the district. But that doesn’t make the decision to cut the engagement efforts right.

The district must restore the parent coordinator’s office next year to ensure campuses across the city create a parent-accessible culture. As for the terminated programs, here’s how they can be quickly reinstated.

Let’s start with DISD’s cancellation of its contract with the Dallas Concilio. Since 2002, the nonprofit operated a program that trains parents on how to advocate for their children. Last year, the Parents Advocating for Student Excellence seminars operated on 21 campuses, including 10 in Dallas’ less-affluent southern half.

The program, built on a model ranked by a Harvard study as one of the nation’s best for parental involvement, has produced results. Parents attend an intense 13-week course, in which they learn how to help their children stay in school, improve academically, meet graduation requirements and be prepared for college. A strong emphasis is placed on the parents’ responsibilities in their students arriving, successfully, at the finish line.

Dallas principals have available money in their budgets to invest in the Concilio program during the fall or spring semester. It’s critical that campuses make this investment to shore up the parent piece of the school-family-student partnership.

The second troubling DISD decision was the canning of its “parent portals,” the informative online reports that schools were to produce for parents so they could stay current on assignments, test scores and attendance. Sophisticated portals are common in suburban districts and private schools. DISD operated them at a few dozen campuses.

But no more. Schools are returning to a previous electronic system, which is limited in its ability to alert parents to student needs. That’s where the private sector can help. By providing funds for the portals, businesses and philanthropic organizations can ensure that parents may easily access data that helps them stay on top of their children’s work.

Parental engagement is a priority of this newspaper, as it offers suggestions for a stronger Dallas school district. DISD says it too believes family involvement is fundamental. Now let’s see if these fixes can be made quickly.

Jennifer Sampson (Photo by Jake Dean)

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas kicked off its 2011 campaign with a new leader in the chief executive slot. The organization’s board named Jennifer Sampson president and CEO on Sept. 13 and launched this year’s campaign a week later. Sampson had served as acting CEO and president since July 1, when longtime leader Gary Godsey retired. A Baylor University graduate and CPA, Sampson joined United Way in 2001 and was promoted in 2004 to executive vice president and chief operating officer, the No. 2 position in the organization. Sampson is the first woman to hold the top job. Off the job, Sampson enjoys yoga and spending time with her 4-year-old son, Hilton.

Q: What’s your top goal for United Way?

A: For us to change lives permanently in the community and to do that by focusing on education, income and health. Breaking the costly, destructive cycle of dropouts, poverty and poor health. We’re investing in the future to change lives permanently in this community.

Q: What’s the biggest opportunity for United Way right now?

A: The biggest opportunity is for us to continue to build relationships. Relationships are at the center of everything we do. We want to build new relationships and strengthen current relationships so we can continue to change lives forever and build a stronger community.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge facing the organization?

A: Like any nonprofit, we are all affected by economic challenges. But this community is so generous that we’re in a unique position to continue to raise money. We’ve got broad corporate support. Last year we saw a 6 percent increase in the number of individuals giving to the United Way. There’s a lot of positive momentum around this year’s campaign.

Q: If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

A: That’s difficult to answer, because I feel like I’ve found a vocation here that truly is my avocation. I feel strongly that doing good for others is just part of the rent you have to pay for living on Earth. I am so passionate about the mission of United Way. This job really is exactly where I want to be.

Q: As a child, what did want to be when you grew up?

A: I always said I would go to law school. My sister went to law school, and I married an attorney, so I guess I’ve got all of those bases covered. I ended up majoring in accounting, because my father encouraged me to get a business degree, and specifically accounting. If you understand accounting, you can understand the backbone of any business. I grew up on the accounting and finance side; I spent 10 years in public accounting at Arthur Andersen, and I started my career at the United Way as chief financial officer.

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: I have a 4-year-old son, and spending time with him is really the highlight of my life. I also love practicing yoga. I try to go to yoga classes as much as I can.

Q: What’s your favorite part of working for the United Way?

A: It’s personal to me. Even when I was in public accounting, I always wanted to find ways to give back to the community. The people side is really important to me.

Q: What do you tell your employees to lead and inspire them?

A: I think that the CEO has to be the chief encouragement officer, so I tell the staff that I think I’m the turtle on the fence post. You know that story: When you see a turtle on the fence post, you know that turtle didn’t get there all by itself. It was this leadership team and this staff and our board and volunteers that put me on that fence post, and our collective success is dependent on all of us working together.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

A: I’m aggravated when people don’t have a sense of urgency, because I have a high sense of urgency and I’m very results-oriented. Also, when people aren’t prepared.

Q: What do you wish you could learn to do?

A: I wish was a better golfer. I can play golf. There are so many opportunities to participate in golf tournaments. I’m not a good golfer. I also wish I were a better cook. I’m not good at cooking.

Q: Which raises the question: What’s your favorite restaurant?

A: Mi Cocina. It’s close to our house, and we’re very frequent customers. I’m also a fan of Whole Foods takeout.

Q: What’s the most fun thing you’ve ever done?

A: Going on a trip to Italy in 2000 with a big group of friends, and I’m excited to be going back (this month) with my husband for a wedding in Rome.

How about a salute to the Cooper Institute and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas as well as to the Dallas Cowboy’s Troy Aikman for providing excellent examples of how companies, organizations and other members of the community can help enhance educational experiences.

Along with Troy, Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper of the Cooper Institute and Jennifer Sampson, President and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, united to celebrate the inaugural year of the Healthy Zone School Recognition Program on September 14th. It was held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the James Bowie Elementary School, a DISD school in Oak Cliff. Besides Bowie Elementary students and school leadership, other business and community leaders were present. Dr. Cooper is Chair of the Healthy Zone School Recognition Program’s Advisory Council and Troy is Co-Chair.

According to a release from United Way, “The collaborative health initiative offers training and financial assistance to schools to create healthier environments and recognizes schools that have already become healthy zones. Designed to promote good health starting at the school level, the program gives schools resources to engage teachers, students and parents in a broader effort to improve the health of those in their communities.”

For the 2011-2012 school year, 13 schools were honored. Three schools were saluted as Healthy Zone Schools: Nell Burks Elementary in McKinney, Bethany Elementary in Plano, and Carlena Chandler Elementary in Allen. Ten schools were recognized as Healthy Zone Schools In-Training: James Bowie Elementary, Bonham Elementary and the George Bannerman Dealy Montessori in Dallas; the Arapaho Classical Magnet in Richardson; the Jackson Elementary and Rasor Elementary in Plano; Anderson Elementary in Frisco; the James and Margie Marion Elementary in Allen; and Malvern Elementary and Caldwell Elementary in McKinney.

Congratulations to all!

After presenting all of the Healthy Zone Schools representatives with Healthy Zone banners honoring their efforts to engage students and their surrounding communities in lifelong healthy habits, Troy explained why he is so passionate about the Healthy Zones School Program. As a father of two, he said he has been troubled that so many kids these days are getting so fat. He added he was proud that United Way and the Cooper Institute have stepped in with private funding to offer incentives to schools to do the right thing as far as fitness and nutrition are concerned, especially with budget cuts. He closed by saying he hoped students would pass on healthy habits to their parents and that families would pass along those habits of exercise and healthy eating to their neighbors — changing their community as a whole.

Another highlight was Dr. Cooper’s comments that included suggestions on ways students could achieve good health and hopefully, prevent childhood obesity, which is becoming an epidemic. Then the fun began! Students engaged in fitness activities, including relay races, jump rope drills, volleyball and soccer and even accepted the challenge of an obstacle course. Local high school students presented healthy snack recognition demonstrations to show kids tasty ways to stay on track at home. Jumpin Sports provided entertainment.