AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
Notre Dame School of Dallas
Thank you so much - you're the best! God Bless! ~ T. F.
Abracadabra! Thank you for performing an amazing magic show for our Notre Dame School of Dallas students today! With tons of interactive tricks and a positive message, this was a show that taught us that we truly have #NoLimitsJustPossibilities! There is Value in a Smile ~ Facebook post
Brady Center / Catholic Charities of Dallas - (Senior center)
The pictures were fantastic and I heard from the seniors that they really enjoyed your show. Thank you so much for brightening our day and helping the seniors reduce their anxiety about getting a turkey for the holiday. We served over 168 and we're glad you were part of the fun! ~ R.K.
Family Gateway (Homeless shelter for families)
Family Gateway has had many wonderful volunteers over the past 35 years. We are a homeless shelter for families with CHILDREN...Key word is that you MUST have children to stay here. Our volunteers have changed the lives of so many children in our "homeless shelter" whether for one hour or one day. We believe that JOY changes lives, and a JOYful community can change the world.
Joe & Helen's shows has by far placed the most smiles, tears and happiness in the children's eyes I have seen. Our children do not have the luxury of taking vacations, or attending amusement parks, or even going out to eat dinner one night with family, they are worried about having a place to sleep with their mother for the night.
Kids want to believe in something...so many times, they have lost trust and the ability to believe at all in anything. They totally believe in MAGIC and are in total awe when the magic begins. Thank you, Joe & Helen Drakeley for allowing kids to BELIEVE again. ~ K.K.
Deaf Action Center (DAC serves the deaf and hard of hearing community in Texas)
Thank you for thinking of us when you and your husband got the sponsorship. The seniors enjoyed the show!! ~ V.B.
Family Gateway (Homeless shelter for families)
Thank you so much for allowing our children to enjoy the magic. Our kids were scheduled to have a fair day today but obviously due to the fact that they are homeless and they're living in the shelter they cannot afford to attend the State Fair of Texas so Helen and Joe were kind enough to come out here and perform a magic show which all the children young and teenagers could enjoy. You definitely brought just as many smiles on their face through the show as you have by attending the state fair. Thank you again for as always putting smiles on these kid's faces. ~ K.K.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux School
Hi Joe and Helen! The kids loved the program! You did a wonderful job making the content relevant and fun for all ages of students. Thank you for making it happen and spending the morning at SBS entertaining and teaching our students. We are so grateful for your time. Blessings! ~ L.S.
Family Care Connection (Helping families flourish)
Thank you for coming out to our event. Our families loved the performance! ~ M.M.
St. Jude Center / Catholic Charities (Supportive housing for formerly homeless seniors and Veterans)
Hello! Wanted to reach out and say thank you again for coming to St. Jude and putting on a fantastic show for our Residents! We had many Residents come up to staff asking when you all will be back again! It was great seeing so many of them smiling and truly enjoying themselves. So AMAZING! Hope to have you back again soon. ~ E.C.
DONOR RESPONSE
MAGIC WITH A MISSION: Spreading Joy, Hope and Laughter!
We appreciate the donations to our "There's Value in a Smile" FSP. Through our Facebook and Instagram pages, our website with its stories, photos, videos and testimonials we hope to share just a bit of the magic that we witness in our audiences' eyes, the laughter we hear and the communities that are strengthened as they serve others in need in our DFW community. Magically, Joe & Helen Drakeley
In special memory of David, who never met a stranger...
"Hi Helen and Joe. I heard about your pursuit of charitable status for your 'There's Value in a Smile' FSP. I understand that you need an initial donor pledge as part of the application process with United Charitable. I would love to be your first sponsor and would like to make the initial donor pledge in honor of my late husband, David. He loved both children and magic! This would make him very happy."
All the best, Joan
"I am so glad that you were approved for the 'There's Value in a Smile' program. I know that you will bring so many smiles to children all over Dallas so I am happy that it was approved!"
"Thanks Helen and Joe. Congrats on achieving charitable status! Take care."
"Hi Helen. You're welcome! Happy to help. You and Joe always do a marvelous job! "
"A big congratulations on setting up with United Charitable. You guys are amazing, and huge inspiration for all of us, for all the good you do for God's creation. I just made a contribution to your organization. My company also matches contributions to charitable organizations. I have just requested a matching contribution online from my employer, AstraZeneca. United Charitable is already listed on their website as an eligible charity. I have provided them additional information about your program: There's Value in a Smile! With PID 346716."
"The photos were great. Good luck with this wonderful endeavor!"
"Dear Joe and Helen, You two have the biggest hearts! And a lot of energy! Thank you for all you do. You have the perfect motto, 'Spreading Joy, Hope and Laughter.' See you at church...or the grocery store!"
"David, we hung up from our call and received an email informing us that 'There's Value in a Smile!' had just received a new donation. Thank you very much!" "Oh, no big deal, you're like family," was his modest response. Little did we know that David had pulled up the website for United Charitable, entered "There's Value in a Smile" in their search bar and quickly made a credit card donation while we were all catching up on the phone. Family donations are not permitted so we're glad we're "like family." :) Thanks again David to you and to all our donors who helped launch this program and keep it running.