12/20/2025
At Billy Earl Dade Middle School in Dallas, organizers of the annual “Breakfast with Dads” event expected about 50 volunteer fathers or father figures to join students for a morning meal and mentoring, especially for the roughly 150 boys signed up who might not have had a dad to bring. After a Facebook post seeking mentors quickly went viral, responses poured in far beyond expectations, and on Dec. 14, 2017, more than 600 men showed up to participate, filling the gym and serving as supportive role models for the students. The event included breakfast and interactive activities, such as teaching boys how to tie neckties, creating meaningful moments between volunteers and students.
The overwhelming turnout highlighted a strong community response and underscored the school’s goal of engaging families and providing positive male influences. Event organizers, including children’s advocate Kristina Dove, hope to build on this success by bringing those volunteers together again for future mentorship opportunities, reinforcing the impact of community involvement in students’ lives.
