DALLAS–With more than 50 entries to chose from, Dallas Market Center has awarded Brown and Tea & Magnolias the winners of The Next Big Give, a national search for specialty retailers that give back in their communities. The winners will receive a complimentary trip to the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market next month and will be recognized on March 24, during The Inspired Event cocktail party.
“Congratulations to The Next Big Give winners,” said Bill Winsor, president and chief executive officer, Dallas Market Center. “Both retailers offer significant support to worthy organizations and communities. We thank them for their good work and hope their stories will inspire other retailers to do the same.”
Houston-based home furnishings retailer Brown put its entire 2010 advertising budget towards two events benefiting very different organizations: Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Yellowstone Academy, a Houston-area college preparatory school.
The community involvement of Tea & Magnolias, a gift and accessories retailer located in Tulsa, Okla., is also two pronged. Inspired by her past work as a missionary in Peru, owner Susan Ponville sells jewelry and purses in the store made by Peruvian women with all of the proceeds going back to help the women support their families. Also, in order to help Pathways Adult Learning Center, a local school for special needs adults in Tulsa, the retailer hosts an annual Christmas Home Tour as well as sells crosses that are handmade by a group of special needs adults.