CORE—a nonprofit granting support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-alternating circumstances—hosted the organization’s 3rd Annual Founders’ Dinner at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on November 14. The event, hosted by Legends Hospitality, honored the generous support of Don Billings of IMI Agency with the Lifetime Support Award and Rodney Strong Wine Estates with the 2017 Support Award for their ongoing contributions which have helped more than 100 families this year thus far.
CORE’s board of directors, advisory council, COREporate members, staff and featured special guests—including a local Dallas-area family who received support from CORE—gathered together for this annual dinner at AT&T Stadium. The event program included a brief overview of CORE’s success over the past year, introductions of key board members and constituents and the presentation of the evening’s two Founders’ Dinner Award recipients, Don Billings of IMI Agency and Colleen Brennan Rodney Strong Vineyards. Event festivities also included a VIP tour of AT&T stadium, courtesy of Legends Hospitality.
Since its inception in 2004, Don Billings and his team at IMI Agency have supported CORE, giving time and energy as volunteers and ambassadors as well as donating as COREporate members. Don’s support and passion for CORE has been integral to the organization’s growth, with Don helping spread awareness of the organization far and wide as well as encouraging his staff and network to follow suit. CORE is grateful for his lifetime commitment to our mission of giving back to our own.
In 2017, Rodney Strong Wine Estates (RSWE) has donated over $20,000 to CORE through COREporate memberships, event sponsorships, and on premise promotions. Five of the RSWE team members are now CORE ambassadors, providing support at events and promotions around the country. Vice President of National Accounts on Premise Colleen Brennan serves on CORE’s board of directors and was on hand at the Founders’ Dinner to accept the 2017 Support Award on behalf of her team. CORE was honored to be the guest of RSWE at their 2017 National Sales Meeting, and is grateful for the team’s support through on premise promotions that partner with local distributors to benefit CORE.
“This annual celebration of our CORE family is something we look forward to all year,” Lauren LaViola, Executive Director at CORE, says. “We come together to share our growth and success from the past year, as well as to inspire continual help for those in need. This year, honoring Don Billings and Rodney Strong Wine Estates was extra special—both recipients made a significant impact in the lives of our CORE families, and we can’t thank them enough for their generosity and support. We are also grateful to Legends Hospitality for hosting the CORE Founders’ Dinner for three years running.”
The Lifetime and Annual Founders’ Dinner Awards are given each year at the CORE Founders’ Dinner and are determined by the board of directors.
If you are interested in getting involved with CORE, please contact Lauren LaViola at lauren@coregives.org or via phone at 678-689-7938. For more information on CORE or to make personal donations, please visit www.coregives.org.
