Partners Card

SUPPORTING THE FAMILY PLACE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

Partners Card helps the agency amid pandemic, winter storm recovery

This year’s Partners Card co-chairs are Caroline Snell Wagner, Rachel Osburn, and Jane Wallingford. (PHOTO: TAMYTHA CAMERON)

BY THE NUMBERS

$20 MILLION +

raised by Partners Card for The Family Place in the last 29 years

500 +

locations participating in Dallas-Fort Worth (See the list at peoplenewspapers.com)

29

years of Partners Card fundraising

$75

donation to the Family Place to get a Partners Card

20%

discount at participating retailers

10%

discount at participating restaurants

By Rachel Snyder

Rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of a February winter storm that damaged the Family Place’s since repaired emergency shelter, Partners Card organizers say supporting the agency remains more crucial than ever. e Partners Card fundraiser has supported the Family Place since 1993 by selling cards that provide discounts at participating retailers and restaurants in North Texas. e Family Place, organized in 1978, has grown into the state’s largest family violence service provider.

Rachel Osburn, Caroline Snell Wagner, and Jane Wallingford are co-chairing this year’s event, which runs from Oct. 29 until Nov. 7. Caroline’s mother and longtime Partners Card fundraiser, Debbie Snell, is the honorary chair.

“ e money that we’re raising this year is not only as impactful as it has been in years past, but it’s more so because they have had to revamp their facility and also help a lot more people that have been suffering,” said Osburn.

Snell Wagner said the pandemic increased needs.

“ e pandemic has driven up the domestic violence numbers, in general, all over the world,” she said.

In addition to supporting e Family Place, Partners Card also boosts local businesses, many of whom also suffered during the pandemic.

“I think 85% of participating retailers say that they see higher than average sales during Partners Card, and last year was a tough year for our retailers,” Wallingford said.

While organizers expect more shoppers may feel comfortable shopping in person this year with the availability of vaccines, online shopping will likely remain popular.

“I think that we have more online retailers than we’ve ever had in the past – online-only retailers, and I think that’s just because in this past year we’ve all had to adapt and learn how to live in this new world that we are in,” Wallingford said.

The money that we’re raising this year is not only as impactful as it has been in year’s past, but it’s more so because they have had to revamp their facility and also help a lot more people that have been suffering. Rachel Osburn

Retailers with brick-and-mortar stores that have participated in Partners Card in the past have added online components as well.

Seller Soirée Kicks Off Partners Card Sales, Celebrates Partners

(PHOTO: AUDRIE DOLLINS)

e Family Place geared up for another exciting year of Partners Card with the annual Seller Soirée.

Partners Card co-chairs Rachel Osburn, Caroline Snell Wagner, and Jane Wallingford, along with honorary chair Debbie Snell, newly appointed Family Place CEO Mimi Crume Sterling, and current CEO Paige Flink mingled with nearly 60 guests on Sept. 14 at FRAME in Highland Park Village. e evening kicked off the card selling season and recognized the 2021 card sellers and sponsors who make it possible to continue the premier annual fundraiser that supports the agency’s efforts to address domestic violence.

Guests shopped the retailer’s stylish duds and signature denim while sipping seasonal cocktails and enjoying bites provided by Bistro 31 and custom cookies by Crush Sweets. Outside in the gorgeous weather, guests enjoyed champagne sips provided by e Bubble Tap Dallas Trailer, a fizzy and effervescent mobile bubbly bar. – Staff report

10

days of shopping from Oct. 29 to Nov. 7

ONE

night of safety for a victim of family violence provided with the purchase of one Partners Card

PARTNERS CARD TIMELINE 1993

The Family Place launched Partners Card with 175 participating stores. Ms. Gene Jones served as the first Honorary Chair. Sally Hoglund and Sally Johnson founded the inaugural event which raised $90,000.

1998

Partners Card revenue exceeded half a million dollars with more than 10,000 cards sold.

2000

Partners Card grew to more than 500 participating stores.

2007

Partners Card celebrated 15 years, raising $905,000 to help battered women, children, and men.

2010

Partners Card raised more than $1 million for the first time. The Family Place opens its school facility for K-2nd grade students at its Safe Campus.

2017

Partners Card celebrated 25 years. Partners Card mobile app and e-commerce launched. Partners Card raised more than $1 million and provided more t han 14,000 nights of shelter for victims of family violence.