Former SMU president Dr. Gerald Turner served as keynote speaker at November 12 appreciation dinner for The Circle affinity group
(Dallas, TX) – Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) hosted its third annual “The Grateful Table,” an appreciation dinner celebrating its affinity group, The Circle, on Wednesday, November 12, at a local country club.
Community Partners of Dallas president and CEO Joanna Clarke, with this year’s The Circle leadership Caren and Pete Kline and Nancy Perot and Rod Jones, welcomed more than 130 patrons to the festive evening.
Upon arrival, guests mingled and chatted while enjoying wine and cocktails before progressing into the ballroom for the seated dinner and program. The program began with Pete Kline and Rod Jones welcoming attendees and thanking them for their support of The Circle, CPD’s affinity group for donors over the age of 50. In addition to raising funds for CPD, The Circle provides an opportunity for like-hearted supporters to connect and find community with one another.
Following, Reverend Linda Roby of Highland Park Methodist Church led the invocation before attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by dessert.
Clarke then began her remarks which began with heartfelt thanks to the Klines and Perot and Jones for their leadership. She then asked all to join her in raising their glasses before sharing that this year’s membershipcampaign for The Circle had raised a record-breaking $275,000 in mission critical funds.
After thanking the many individuals who had helped make the evening a success in support of CPD’s mission to provide what abused and neglected children urgently need today to thrive tomorrow.
To illustrate the impact of The Circle members’ support, Clarke shared that this year through the Rainbow Room CPD hasbeen serving more than 1,000 children every month, a 12% increase over last year and a 24% increase over 2023. And through the combined efforts of its programs in 2025 CPDwill positively impact more than 20,000 Dallas County kids.
Heather Lewless with Susser Bank followed to introduce speaker Dr. Gerald Turner, who for more than three decades served as president of Southern Methodist University, guiding SMU through an era of unprecedented growth. As well, she introduced moderator Chris Kleinert, CEO and president of Hunt Consolidated Investments and co-CEO of Hunt Consolidated, Inc. Chris also leads Hunt Realty Investments, overseeing transformative projects that have reshaped Dallas.
Kleinert and Turner took the stagefor an engaging conversation as Turner shared details about growing up in New Boston, Texas, meeting his wife Gail Turner when the two attended Abilene Christian University, his path from serving as a professor at Pepperdine University to his early administrative leadership positions at the University of Oklahoma and University of Mississippi and of course his storied career as president of Southern Methodist University.
Following a short Q & A session with audience members, Clarke returned to thank everyone again for ensuring Community of Partners of Dallas can continue to provide what abused children urgently need today to thrive tomorrow.
Attendees of The Grateful Table included: Nancy Perot and Rod Jones, Caren and Pete Kline, Dr. Gerald and Gail Turner, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Community Partners of Dallas president and CEO Joanna Clarke, Carl Sewell, Nita and Cullum Clark, CPD vice president of development Samantha Eppler, Lara and Bob Tafel, former CEO Paige McDaniel, Peter and Lael Brodsky, Susan Palma, Richard Eiseman, Candace and John Winslow, Sally and George Dutter, Francie and Steve Mancillas, Lacie and Pat Crow, Lucinda and Barry Buford, Sally and Forrest Hoglund and Kristy Hoglund Robinson.
For more information about The Circle, visit communitypartnersdallas.org.
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About Community Partners of Dallas
Since 1989, Community Partners of Dallas has ensured safety and restored dignity and hope to abused and neglected children by providing crucial resources and support to the caseworkers of Dallas County Child Protective Services. Community Partners of Dallas provides items such as winter coats, diapers and formula, holiday gifts, school uniforms, personal hygiene products, food and more, to send the abused children in our community the message that someone does care.