CRISTO REY DALLAS TO HOST 7TH ANNUAL GROW THE GROVE

Laura and Jim Einspanier and Mary Blake and Chuck Meadows to be honored 

at April 14 fundraiser

Dallas, Texas – Cristo Rey Dallas will celebrate the college preparatory school’s STEAM programs at its 7th annual Grow the Grove, presented by Arcosa, on Friday, April 14, 2023, 6:00 p.m. at the Thompson Hotel Dallas. 

Chaired by Eugenia and Antonio Carrillo and Adriana and Guillermo Perales, guests in business casual attire will enjoy cocktails, dinner, a live auction and an After Party beginning at 9:00 p.m.  The emcees for the event are Cristo Rey Dallas alumni Emmanuel Moreno and America Rodriguez who are part of the first college graduating class and are already employed. Cristo Rey Dallas students will also be on hand with a student artwork display, interactive stations such as physics demos, as well as appearances by the CRD cheerleaders. Chaired by Celina Basaldu and Rebecca Sawatzki , the After Party will feature late night bites, drinks and music by the Taylor Pace Orchestra. 

An evening highlight will be the recognition of two couple honorees: Laura and Jim Einspanier, community leaders and CRD advocates, and Mary Blake and Chuck Meadows, community leaders and former CRD board members, former CRD capital campaign chairs, and Corporate Work Study Program advocates.

The Einspaniers will receive the Luminous Award, given to an individual who demonstrates passion and commitment to the mission of Cristo Rey Dallas. Past award recipients include the late Maryann Mihalopoulos who was the first recipient. Laura and Jim have been active members of multiple organizations with significant impact to Cristo Rey Dallas.  Laura was a founding and current Board Member and has served in several roles on numerous committees, as well as volunteering as a freshman study hall proctor - her favorite CRD role.  She currently serves on the finance committee. The Luminous Award honors the Einspaniers for their continued commitment to CRD and their significant impact on the CRD community. 

The Meadows will receive the Ignite Award, which honors a business leader for their commitment to Cristo Rey Dallas and the Corporate Work Study Program.  Past award recipients include Fred Cerise, Michele and John Stephens and Hilda Galvan. Mary Blake is a former board member and has dedicated her time and partnered with multiple organizations throughout DFW leaving a tremendous impact at Cristo Rey Dallas. Chuck is a current board member and has played an important role in the Corporate Work Study Program since day one by connecting CRD with multiple job partners in addition to being a founding job partner himself through Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, L.L.P where he's a partner.

Grow the Grove sponsors to date include: Presenting Sponsor– Arcosa; Technology Sponsor-Adriana and Guillermo Perales, Engineering Sponsors– Eugenia and Antonio Carrillo, Mary and Mike Terry, Investar Impact Foundation, Investar Matching Campaign Contributors; Arts Sponsors– Victor Almeida, Brousseau Naftis & Massingill, Capital One, Kathleen & Pat Cox, Ima and Alfredo Duarte, Laura and Jim Einspanier, Maria and Raul Estrada, Janice and Tim Go, Beverly Goulet, Pilar and Jay Henry, The Hoak Foundation, Holly and Joe Hughes, Lockton Dunning, Denise and Danny Lynn, Mary Blake and Chuck Meadows, Ellis and Dave Meyer, Frank Mihalopoulos, Laura and Scott Moore, Barbara and Jim Moroney, Patricia  and Michael Pagel, Chris and Joe Popolo, Michele and John Stephens, Michelle and Scott Vopni; Mathematics Sponsors– Lucy Billingsley, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Elayna and Casey Erick, Hancock Whitney, KPMG, Dr. Chris Madden, NBH Bank Capital Finance, John Owens, Pinacle Group; Fund Our Labs Sponsors – Lynn and Win Bell, Nancy and Clint Carlson, Cheryl and Richard Joyner, Tricia Miller and Micki Rawlings, Mary and Edward Oleksiak, Mark Rauschuber, Linda Scheets, Simmons Bank, The Catholic Foundation Stephanie Wolter and Ana and Jim Yoder; Inspire a Future Scientist – Lois and Edwin Cartwright, Michelle Daniel, Randy Eisenman, Stephanie and Todd Phillips; Friends of Cristo Rey- Regina Campisi, Maria Esteves, Jack Fraker, Goldman Sachs, NexPoint, Sandra and Joe William and, Candance and John Winslow. 

Sponsorships range from $1,500 - $50,000 and are available now. Individual After Party tickets are also available at $75 per ticket.  For more information, visit bit.ly/grow-the-grove or contact Kristin Fletcher,kfletcher@cristoreydallas.org.

About Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep

Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep is a Catholic, college preparatory school for students from households of low to moderate incomes. Cristo Rey Dallas nurtures and challenges young women and men of all faiths to recognize and realize their full potential as they grow to love God, respect others and serve their community. Each student participates in the Corporate Work Study Program, which offers a weekly work study experience for all four years. For more information visit cristoreydallas.org.