Margaret Mead once wrote, "When a person is born we rejoice, and when they're married we jubilate, but when they die, we try to pretend nothing has happened." There is a place in Fort Worth, that for more than 20 years, has faced grief head on.
Of course, I'm referring to The Warm Place. Perhaps, one of my favorite organizations in the whole world. The work they do and the lives they touch are indescribable. Often times, The Warm Place flies under the radar and without anyone knowing the angelic feats they achieve.
According to their website, "The WARM Place was founded in 1989 and now, more than twenty years later, we continue our mission of providing grief support services to children ages 3-18 and their families, as well as young adults ages 19-25, who are trying to find a new way of living after the death of someone they love."
So you may be asking, "What in the world does this have to do with "Date Night?" Everything! On, Friday, April 23, The Warm Place is holding the 8th Annual "Friday Night at the Zoo." While this event at the Fort Worth Zoo is kid-friendly, it's also one of those dates that will bring out the kid in the both of you.
Some of the events planned are: Treasure hunt, party games, hair painting, face painting, Wild Wonder animal show, carousel rides, Texas weather barn and the train ride. You can expect a silent auction, a live auction, a taco bar dinner and a cash bar. And, perhaps, the coolest of the cool, for the 3rd year, the classic rock band, King Creole, will be playing your favorites from the 60's, 70's and 80's. There's also a rumor they will throw in some chart-toppers from the 50's and 90's, as well. So, there is something to enjoy for everyone.
Friday Night at the Zoo is offering up some very sweet raffle items. Three different packages will be offered. First up, an instant wine cellar! This is 50 bottles of fine wine including Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and much more.
Package #2 is from Cowboy Cuisine Chef, Grady Spears. Grady will come to your home and prepare dinner for you and 10 of your closest friends. How cool is that? Can you think of a better "Date Night?" Oh yeah, all the is food is included and the package also consists of several bottles of wine.
Package #3 is an amazing weekend at Possum Kingdom Lake. Enjoy two nights for a family of four at the Harbor on Possum Kingdom Lake's 18-room boutique hotel. Included in this package is a Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner for four at The Grille. Horseback rides for two should make your stay complete.
Rarely do you find a "Date Night" that is o.k. to include the kids. This one is one of those rare occasions. But, by all means, if you are kidless, you guys will also have a blast. Great food, great entertainment and great people. But, the biggest reason to go is because of The Warm Place. The word "great" doesn't even come close to describe the importance of this organization. Mother Teresa once wrote, ""There are no great things, only small things with great love. Happy are those." And, happy are those who have attended The Warm Place, worked at The Warm Place or volunteered at The Warm Place.
For complete information on Friday Night at the Zoo and The Warm Place, please visit: www.thewarmplace.org
