UP GiVE IT HEALTH, WELLNESS, FITNESS

Wings For Wellness

SERVES: Neighborhood mothers and families who are dealing with post-partum depression

One of the organization’s founders, Shelley Shook, is a Lake Highlands resident who suffered a period of excruciating PPD symptoms. “I was certain my life was over and that I’d made the biggest mistake by having a baby,” she explains in her story, published on the organization’s website. Because she had a strong support network and access to mental healthcare, Shook was able to heal before her child’s first birthday. But because many women don’t have such resources, she and a fellow mother, Karen Erschen, launched the foundation. The board of directors includes a medical doctor, a psychiatrist and therapist, and the two founders.

ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE: Each spring Wings for Wellness hosts an expo featuring some 50 vendors who provide resources such as pregnancy and baby photography, pre- and postnatal massage and fitness, mommy jewelry and baby boutique furniture. In addition to PPD-focused workshops, the expo includes seminars on topics such as car-seat safety and infant CPR. Look for information about the 2015 event on the organization’s website. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities abound.

GIVE: Donations help sustain regular free support group meetings for women and families in need, and related services. Give online or mail a check.

CONTACT:

Karen Erschen, karen@wingsforwellness.org

Shelley Shook, shelley@wingsforwellness.org

P.O. Box 180503

Dallas, TX 75218 wingsforwellness.org

Doris Daniely Outreach

SERVES: Breast cancer survivors, by funding reconstruction surgeries

Lake Highlands resident Carol Autry founded this outreach; her mother, Doris Daniely, kept her illness a secret until it was too late. “She was the sweetest, most giving person you’d ever meet,” Autry says. “We never entirely understood why she didn’t tell us she had cancer — maybe because she didn’t want to trouble anyone. Maybe she was in denial, thinking it would go away.” Autry was devastated by her mom’s death, but she promptly returned to her job in the plastic surgery office of doctors Carpenter and Morales at Baylor. There, she encounters cancer patients almost daily. “They came through all the time — mostly women who need to have a mastectomy, but who don’t have the means for reconstructive surgery afterward.” Autry says she thought about these women constantly. All told, it costs about $100,000 for breast reconstruction surgery. Autry and her co-workers frequently complained to each other: “Somebody should do something to help them.” One night, she says, she thought to herself, “I am somebody.” It’s not easy to start a nonprofit, but along with likeminded partners, she founded the Doris Daniely Outreach for Breast Reconstruction. The foundation funds reconstructive surgery for several women each year.

VOLUNTEER: The outreach employs no paid staff and relies on volunteers. Needs vary — anyone interested in helping should email or call the center.

ATTEND: Several events throughout the year support the nonprofit. Each February members host a fundraising tea at the Dallas Arboretum. Information about 2015 events will be announced soon on the organization’s website.

GIVE: Administrative costs are minimal and primarily related to fundraising event costs including venue charges, invitations and postage, web maintenance and the like. Give any amount online via PayPal.

CONTACT: Carol Autry, founder, dorisdaniely@yahoo.com dorisdanielyoutreach.org