Former Wildcat Kendall Johnson is stirring things up as the new Volunteer Coordinator for Network of Community Ministries, one of the oldest and most respected charities serving Lake Highlands, Richardson and Dallas. After graduating from Baylor earlier this year, she has taken the charity by storm, creating a blogsite, Facebook page and Twitter account to attract the young, tech-savvy donors and volunteers who’ve been missing from Network’s cast of characters. With Kendall’s help, Network is experiencing a revitalization and stepping into the non-profit spotlight.
Network has been named a TJ Maxx “Charity of Choice” and chosen as a finalist for “Member Agency of the Year” by the North Texas Food Bank. Network was also selected for the 16th year as a Dallas Morning News charity and is recruiting online reviews via the Great Nonprofits website as a way to attract new donors. Last week, Richardson restaurant Russo’s New York hosted a benefit, and this week kicks off a campaign by LHHS graduating classes to stock Network’s pantries with food and toys for the holidays.
Wildcat families from 2007 will donate “peanut butter and a book”, the Class of 2005 will give “beans and a baby,” seniors of 2009 will donate “soup and a siren” (any vehicle toy will do) and current seniors will contribute “pasta and a puzzle.” In support of Kendall, her Class of 2006 will collect “cans and a coat,” though scarves and hats will be happily accepted in place of a coat.
LH residents Julie Alexander and Linda Larkins, longtime supporters of Network, have been helping to organize the holiday food and toy drive. “We know that this is a tough time to be asking for donations,” said Julie, but the need for this ministry is great.” They’ve offered to collect donated items on their front porches and make weekly deliveries to Network. You can email Julie here, or email Jana Boswell, also helping, here for an address to a drop off site near you.
