When did you graduate?
I received a certificate from Berkeley College in 1954.
Describe your experience at Berkeley. Any special memories?
I would get together with a friend before class, and she and I would get coffee and bacon on an English muffin every day. We took classes on stenography, typing, writing letters, and other classes. I couldn’t have made it where I am today without that background. All of the skills I learned have given me the ability to write for magazines, newspapers, and create proposals and presentations. Just the ability to write a good letter gives you so much strength in what you do.
After I left Berkeley, I got a job at Wynn, Taylor and Blattmacher, a law firm in downtown Manhattan. I couldn’t have succeeded without the skills I learned in class. The law firm was tough. I started out in the reception area and moved to secretarial. I had been with them for over a year, when I got married and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana as my husband, Bob, was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
What are some activities you have been involved with since then?
I was a free-lance writer with articles in The New York Times, Westchester Magazine, Travel Navigator, Florida Golf, Avid Golfer Magazine and Travel Editor of both Avid Golfer and Women’s Golf Magazine, Texas. I am a member of the International Golf Travel Writer’s Association, and past Women’s Editor of the PGA Magazine FORE Texas.
I was a free-lance writer with articles in The New York Times, Westchester Magazine, Travel Navigator, Florida Golf, Avid Golfer Magazine and Travel Editor of both Avid Golfer and Women’s Golf Magazine, Texas. I am a member of the International Golf Travel Writer’s Association, and past Women’s Editor of the PGA Magazine FORE Texas.
I have served on the Dallas Arboretum Board of Directors, Trinity River Commission, Cable Board of Dallas, North Dallas Chamber Board of Directors, Chairman of the Turtle Creek Parknership, was a member of Board of Directors of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and served on the Board of Executive Women Golf Association, Dallas Chapter. I am a past President of SKAL Dallas (an international organization of the Hospitality Industry), and the Four Seasons Sports Club Women’s Golf Association. I am currently President of The GolfSpot, a travel website for golf enthusiasts.
I am also currently serving as the Chairwoman of Snowball Express, a non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas.
What is the mission of Snowball Express?
Snowball Express’ mission is to create hope and new memories for the children of our military heroes who have fallen since September 11, 2001.
How did you become involved in Snowball Express?
I got a phone call from a former SKAL colleague in California who was involved in Snowball Express. He connected me with the Chairman of the Board of Snowball, who came to visit my home and described Snowball’s mission. My husband and I were already involved in many organizations. We were traveling and enjoying time with our children and grandchildren, but I was immediately supportive of Snowball’s mission, and wanted to find out more. He invited us to come out to the Snowball Express event in California. We began volunteering soon after that and within a short period of time, I was asked to sit on the Board of Directors, and eventually as Chairwoman of the Board.
These children Snowball Express works for are the future of our country, and have sacrificed a member of their family to keep our country free. It is so important for us to let them know how much we appreciate that gift, and how much we and other people care about them.
If you live on a military base and you lose a hero, unless you’re a member of the special forces, you have to leave that base in 30 days. Children have to leave their home, their friends, their entire community in one month, and still must deal with the pain of losing a parent. Providing hope and a community for those children is what it’s all about.
More than 12,000 children have lost a fallen hero since September 11, 2001. Because these children live all across the country, we host several local events and one large gathering during the holiday season. Snowball Express is now based in Dallas, and for the next three years the event will be held there.
American Airlines is our presenting sponsor, and their assistance has been incredible. They have dedicated flights for children so that they can fly to Dallas for free. All the flight attendants and pilots are volunteers, as are the flight costs and fuel. They also help us raise funds and open doors to potential sponsors and entertainers.
American Airlines is truly dedicated to taking care of military families. Their Veterans Initiatives program plays an awesome role in assisting our Snowball Express families, wounded warriors and other military projects. There are hundreds of volunteers who join us each year to ensure that these children understand how much we appreciate them, and their parents.
What sort of activities do you do at the Snowball Express event?
The fifth annual Snowball Express took place on December 10, 2010. Children arrive the day before the event begins. The children are picked up at the airport by volunteer buses and coaches, and then are brought to the Sheraton Dallas Hotel which has opened its arms to us. The Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau are both big supporters.
This year, Gary Sinise and his Lieutenant Dan Band will perform, along with ventriloquist Terry Fator. We visit Six Flags for a full day, see a performance of the Nutcracker, and the whole city of Dallas comes out to visit us on our first day. The Dallas transit system has donated space on 20 buses for Snowball Express banners. Dozens of restaurants donated lunch and dinner for everyone.
Many children are new, but many are returning, and they range between 5 and 18. We just had a 19-year-old who participated for many years, and has now come back to volunteer to help other children.
How can people help support this cause?
You can visit the website at www.snowballexpress.org. We are always looking for volunteers to help us plan a regional Snowflake event. We just did one in Michigan, and the former head of Dow Chemical, who owns a minor league baseball team, helped us to organize the event. We had about 84 children attend. They enjoyed lunch, ran the bases, and had a great time.
A group of Vietnam veterans recently did an event in Palestine, Texas, with horseback riding, a train ride with lunch and dinner. It was a great time. We would love to have local chapters all over the country.
A group of Vietnam veterans recently did an event in Palestine, Texas, with horseback riding, a train ride with lunch and dinner. It was a great time. We would love to have local chapters all over the country.
Suggestions for other alumni to become involved as leaders?
Education is so important. It’s the key to making a difference in the world around you. And whatever job or organization you work for, reach out and find a way to make a difference. There are so many opportunities to help. Find a way to build a house for humanity, read stories to kids at the hospital. It isn’t just for someone else, it also does a lot for you.
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