The Mrs. introduced us to Dallas Life – the largest homeless shelter in North Texas.  It is a place where miracles happen.  Homelessness can happen to anyone.

People who have good jobs and a nice home in the suburbs can find themselves homeless.  Yes!  In this case, first the woman in the family lost her job, and the family was barely hanging on.  Then the husband also lost his job.  They lost their home, their car – everything.  There was no way for them to survive and provide for their children.  Where were they to turn?  Dallas Life gave them hope, a place to live, and a plan to get them back on their feet.  Not many shelters have accommodations for families – Dallas Life does.

The stories touched my heart.  Some of the homeless were college educated, others had held high paying jobs, and others had made poor choices in life.  Dallas Life ministers to the needs of each of these.

This year Dallas Life held a Fun Fair Benefit Auction at the Fair Park Music Hall.  The event lived up to its name.  It was fun and entertaining.

Midway games offered fun for all.

Many distinguished guest enjoyed the games.

Loved the smile and thumbs up of a winner.

For these games, everyone was a winner – the players and Dallas Life.

Tables were laden with silent auction items.  There was an entire table of pearl jewelry.  Wow!

I wonder who went home with these Chrisitin Louboutin red sole pumps?

What a variety of auction item there were – food, restaurants, sports items, baskets of goodies, electronics ….  I wonder if The Mr. won his bath bombs?  It was interesting.  We used our cell phones to bid on the silent auction items.  Very cool.  On another table were raffle items that were beyond appealing – a TV, iPads, etc.

Bummer!  We never made it to the Photo Booth.  I am here to tell you – people were having fun.

As we walked into the dining room the Swing Band was playing.  I liked it. I loved it.

Swing dancers were jiving!

Then we ate.  Sweet Mother of Pearl – the food was delicious.  What a beautiful flower arrangement.

The salad was filled with goodness – field greens, tomatoes, grapefruit, and feta cheese with a fantastic dressing.  I could have licked my plate.

I love to share menus.  For the entree we had pecan crusted chicken with a rosemary butter sauce (gravy), Southern style cheese grits (yummy), and sautéed haricot verts (delicious French green beans.)

Dessert was most unusual.  We were served gourmet cotton candy, cinnamon toast popcorn, and chocolate chip cookies.  It was different and well received.

Handsome and caring Michael (the Chairman of the Board for Dallas Life and The Mr. and The Mrs. son) welcomed us and shared the importance of this night.

Then the Director of Dallas Life, Rev. Bob Sweeney, talked and shared videos of the work at Dallas Life.  He is a fine man who loves the Lord and has a passion for helping the homeless.  There are so many success stories and there is still much to be done.   Bottom line-  it takes MONEY.

Live auction items were sold, and donations given.  Yes, that is Don Nelson of the Dallas Mavericks – he generously contributed suites for Maverick games.

I loved the part of the night when people simply gave donations to Dallas Life.  They didn’t win anything.  They just gave.  I didn’t know they were going to do that.  Now I know.

I must admit that it bothered me a little to be treated so royally when we were thinking about the homeless.  Would we have donated as much without the auctions?  Probably not, but….

Dallas Life is an organization that has a impressive success rate.  They get high marks for being a responsible charity, and they seek to follow the commands of Jesus.  What a blessing.

Blessings to you and yours,

Isaiah 25:4

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.  

What a perfect description of what Dallas Life does.  To learn more about Dallas Life and how you can help, go to their website dallaslife.org.