Back to School Fair Successful

by Steve Gamel

It’s no secret that the annual Lake Dallas Back 2 School Fair has taken on a personality of its own in recent years. Just last year, eager parents and students showed up at Lake Dallas Elementary School in droves to receive free backpacks, school supplies, and other essentials that they typically struggle to afford on their own.

Hundreds of smiling volunteers met them at the door, and in many ways, it was like a party atmosphere.

Generous donations from the community kept everything running smoothly, and no one was turned away — no matter how long the lines got. This year wasn’t any different, despite concerns over COVID-19.

Though students weren’t allowed to come inside to pick out their favorite backpack, the event still served 155 families and roughly 350 children this year. Families who signed up in advance lined up in the pre-stuffed backpacks for their grade level and specific school.

No one was turned away, and that’s all that mattered.

“We were so happy that we didn’t have to turn anyone away. And if you don’t turn anyone away, then you have to count that as a success,” Lake Dallas Mayor Michael Barnhart said. He and his wife, Suzanne, run a non-profit called There Has To Be More Ministries, which helps organize charitable events in the community throughout the year. “You miss things that you were able to do in previous years; it was stuff people really enjoyed. But it was still a success.”

Questions have lingered for months over whether an event of this size could be pulled off during a pandemic. Not only school’s carpool line and were handed

will school look different this year, but the typical donations and contributions suffered as so many businesses and individuals continue to struggle due to closures, job loss, etc.

But when it mattered most, this community stepped up.

Barnhart said they pulled together enough supplies, and volunteers stayed after-hours to ensure even the last few cars in line at the cutoff were served. First Refuge Ministries in Denton and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses took on the responsibility of scheduling free immunizations and eye tests at their locations. Plenty of children still got their free haircuts, too. Burgess Chiropractic and the Lake Cities Rotary were two of many integral pieces to this year’s event.

The trick now becomes replicating that success as the second half of 2020 rolls on. There Has To Be More Ministries needs help supporting several of its charities and events, including the Lake Cities Spirit of Christmas, its annual fun run, coat drives, and so much more.

Barnhart said dates for these events are still up in the air. But he expects them to run just as smoothly — with your help.

“We’re starting to make phone calls now to get these important events set up,” Barnhart said. “We do have a few new vendors who have said they will help us out, and we will continue to find ways to do certain things in person when we can. I’m not going to call this a new normal. I do believe things will go back to what we are used to seeing.”

To learn how you can help with all of these events and charities, visit therehastobemore.org. The Barnharts also regularly post community updates on their community Facebook page, What’s Happening Lake Cities.

Community To Democratic Candidate Parker-Mims,

IS HER TOP PRIORITY

by Dru Murray | photography by What’s That Guy’s Name? PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY T (whatsthatguysname.com)

Delia Parker-Mims learned about helping others from her parents. Her father was a Vietnam veteran who received a medal for returning to the jungle to rescue other soldiers. Her mother was a dedicated waitress who clocked in long hours serving her customers.

“THE REASON I’M WEARING A SUPER HERO SHIRT IN MY PHOTO IS THAT IS WHAT I ASPIRETO IN MY LEGAL CAREER AND HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN MY POLITICAL CAREER. SINCE A SUPER HERO IS SOMEONE WHO HELPS OTHERS, THAT’S WHAT I SET OUT TO DO IN MY LIFE. I FIND IT UPLIFTING TO DRESS LIKE I FEEL. ALSO, DOING SO MAKES OTHERS REMEMBER ME.” — DELIA PARKER-MIMS

“Each night, no matter how tired she was, she would kneel on the side of the bed and pray before going to sleep. I often stood in the doorway watching her,” Parker-Mims says.

She adds, “My parents taught me that life is not about me — it’s about others in the community. That viewpoint is why I decided to become a Democratic candidate for Denton County Commissioner 3. Their selflessness inspired me to become a family and juvenile lawyer. After earning an undergraduate degree in economics, I attended Southern Methodist University’s law school and began working as an attorney and have practiced in Denton County since 1995.”

Parker-Mims notes, “Parker Legal’s mission is to provide service to citizens in the spirit of excellence, because family law is about families.”

But the practice of Parker Legal is not just about the clients’ legal matters. “I always say that any lawyer can help you with your legal matter, but not every lawyer is purposed to help you put your life back together one piece at a time.” Parker-Mims states.

The professionalism of Parker-Mims has not gone unnoticed. In 2016 and 2019, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys selected Parker-Mims as a Top 10 Texas attorney.

Before starting Parker Legal, Parker-Mims worked as an attorney for Legal Aid of Northwest Texas. She has also been a community volunteer throughout her entire career. Parker-Mims is a member of the State Bar of Texas, where she served on the Crime Victims Committee and a member of the Denton Bar Association. She was also an administrative law judge for the state of Texas and has been an active member of the Denton Black, Lewisville, Flower Mound, and Lake Cities Chambers of Commerce.

Delia’s concern for children prompted her to volunteer for Communities in School, LISD’s Diversity Community, and Concerned Citizens of African American Students and Parents (CCAAP) and become a board member for Child Protective Services and Denton County Friends of the Family.

“I love working with juveniles. Parker Legal provides juveniles representation in all levels,” notes Parker-Mims. “Frequently,

children with disabilities end up in the criminal justice system for behaviors at school. Consequently, our county detention center has become the largest provider of mental-health services for juveniles.”

Denton County’s juvenile law system seeks to reform delinquent children, but Parker-Mims feels the system ends up criminalizing disabilities. Parker-Mims’ concern about the treatment of juveniles was one of the reasons she announced her candidacy for Denton County Commissioner District 3.

“Transitioning to county commissioner is simply an extenuation of my calling to empower and impact people,” she said.

If elected, Parker-Mims will fight to secure more mental health resources for both juveniles and adults in the county.

Other solutions Parker-Mims would like to spearhead include:

EXPANDING HEALTH CARE – “We have to prepare for how Covid-19 will impact the community. Covid-19 will impact the community in a comprehensive way from lasting health conditions to creating a longterm economic crisis for families. What indigence looks like is going to change, and we must be prepared for that.”

REFORMING CRIMINAL JUSTICE – “As county commissioner, I intend to establish a task force to examine how we can reduce the number of children with mental disabilities from being sent to the criminal justice system.”

MAKING VOTING EASIER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE – “All those wanting to vote should be able to do so easily without standing in long lines only to discover they are at the wrong voting precinct.”

Parker-Mims became a candidate for Denton County Commissioner 3, because “it’s time for real leadership for a change.”

469.464.9427 | votedelia.org

delia@bettertogetherdc.com 1709 W. Round Grove, Ste. 300, 214 Lewisville, TX 75067