Lakeside Leaders gather to give back

Grace Clinic awarded ~$10,000 donation

ROCKWALL, TX (Oct. 31, 2025) – 100 Business Leaders of Rockwall County, aka Lakeside Leaders, welcomed a large crowd to Culpepper Cattle Co. yesterday evening, where they gathered on the patio to shine the spotlight on local nonprofits and award a generous donation to one of those deserving organizations.

Lakeside Leaders is a grass-roots organization of about 100 local business professionals with a unique approach for helping Rockwall-based non-profits. Twice each year, they come together for one hour of time to nominate and award a local nonprofit agency with a substantial financial grant – in the neighborhood of $10,000 – the combined total of each member writing a $100 check to the winning nonprofit.

As their website explains, “Through this process, we aim to support and empower organizations that are dedicated to addressing critical social issues and improving the lives of those in need in Rockwall County. By leveraging the expertise and resources of its members, we strive to create lasting change and make a significant difference in the Rockwall community. Together, we believe in the power of collaboration and philanthropy to create a brighter future for all.”

The autumn gathering at Culpepper included dozens of community supporters with appetizer sponsor Victor Cantu of Toro Steam Cleaning; and Sarah Naylor, Brady Hill, John Hagaman, and Russ Porter hosting.

Sarah welcomed attendees, sharing that 13 local nonprofits submitted applications to be part of this round’s giveaway. From those, three names were drawn at random to give five-minute presentations: Grace Clinic, Women in Need, and Rockwall Toys for Tots.

Past winners were also celebrated. Farrah Brabson with the Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County, who received the last donation in April, shared how the funds helped expand the CAC’s child safety education programs—training over 7,000 students across Rockwall and Royse City ISDs through evidence-based lessons on safety, citizenship, and trusted adult connections.

This round’s finalists each delivered heartfelt presentations:

• Jeff Skinner, representing Rockwall Toys for Tots, spoke of their “One Team, One Mission” effort that raised $24,000 last year to support local groups like the CAC, Women in Need, Lone Star CASA, and Helping Hands. He reminded attendees that toy donation boxes are now out across the community.
• Mary Walker, Executive Director of Grace Clinic of Rockwall County, described how the Christian nonprofit medical clinic provides free and low-cost primary care, chronic disease management, mammograms, mental health counseling, and more for families struggling to make ends meet. She highlighted the clinic’s vision for a growing medical equipment borrow program—affectionately known as “the garage.”  “Sometimes a patient just needs a knee scooter, crutches, or a wheelchair for a few weeks,” Walker explained. “When a family can’t afford it, we lend the equipment out, then sanitize and prep it for the next family. This donation will help us expand and better stock that garage so we can continue meeting short-term needs that make a big difference in people’s daily lives.”
• Tiffany Storm, Director of Communications and Outreach for Women in Need, shared the organization’s 42-year mission to help victims of domestic violence live free of abuse through shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, and emergency resources.

After hearing from all three, attendees placed their votes—each represented by a single chip—and Grace Clinic emerged as the winner.

All 13 participating nonprofits, including the YMCA, Lone Star CASA, Rainbow Room, Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony, Helping Hands, Texas Valor Project, Rockwall ISD Education Foundation, Deep Roots Ministries, Villa Teresa, and Boys & Girls Club, were given a minute to introduce their missions.

Before closing, Sarah expressed gratitude to everyone involved, including Blue Ribbon News for helping promote and cover these events. “We do this twice a year,” she said. “Spread the word—invite other nonprofits to apply. The more leaders and causes we bring together, the greater the impact we make right here in Rockwall County.”

Blue Ribbon News staff report. Photos by BRN Media. 

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