Rocking For the Red Cross – How Dallas Area Chapter Board Member Bob Boulogne Harmonizes Life, Music and Charity

by Natalie Horn, volunteer contributor

Father, philanthropist, hospitality pro and rock star – these are the four terms that best describe Red Cross Dallas Area Chapter board member and drummer of the Lost Coyote Band, Bob Boulogne.

The Lost Coyote Band was formed nine months ago when nationally acclaimed chef Dean Fearing and Boulogne, old friends from Boulogne’s time as chief operating officer of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, picked up their instruments and started playing.  

“I had left my 30-year-old drum set at his house and one day while I was over there he picked up his guitar, I got on the drums, and we said, ‘Hey this is a lot of fun; let’s start a band,’” Boulogne said. 

The Lost Coyote band raised more than $10,000
for charity last month.

Other members of The Lost Coyote band include bass guitarist Dave Brummell and guitarist Dave Cook. 

Last month the band raised more than $10,000 for charity. Boulogne hopes to continue their fundraising success this weekend by hosting a concert and live auction with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting one of his favorite causes, the American Red Cross.

Boulogne became involved with the Red Cross three years ago through the suggestion of a friend. He says, as a member of the Dallas Area Chapter Board of Directors, he enjoys having the opportunity to brainstorm exciting ways to keep people plugged in to the great work the organization does. 

“We’ve been having discussions about how we could take a more youthful approach to the Red Cross - not necessarily in terms of age, but as in thinking,” Boulogne said. “We just want to have some fun with it.”  

If you are a fan of loud rock and roll, lead guitar riffs and late 60s through early 70s style rock, you will definitely enjoy the two sets the band has planned for the show, Boulogne promises.

“It’s a good excuse to get friends and like-minded music lovers together to not take life seriously, have some fun, and most importantly raise money for charity,” Boulogne added.

The band will rock out for the Red Cross Friday, March 29 at the Green Elephant Bar in Dallas from 8-11 p.m. Admission is $20 and will benefit the Red Cross Dallas Area Chapter.

So, how does one balance a busy career in hospitality, two children and a band while also volunteering on the board for the Dallas Area Chapter? 

“I just try to keep a positive attitude, keep the balls moving and keep great lines of communication with my kids,” Boulogne explained. “I never take anything too seriously; life is short.”

For more information about the concert or to learn how you can contribute to the Red Cross, visit redcross.org.

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A March is Red Cross Month Update from T.D. Smyers

by Amy Yen, Digital Communications Manager, American Red Cross

T.D. Smyers, CEO,
North Texas Region

Red Cross Month is buzzing along and here in the DFW area, we’re looking forward to a little more celebrating before April comes our way. Regional CEO T.D. Smyers, for one, is excited:

“Red Cross Month is an affirmation of what we mean to America and to the people we help,” said T.D. “The recognition during the month of March each year gives us a great opportunity to showcase to the public all that we do. The fact that the mayor of Dallas, Mayor Mike Rawlings, and the mayor of Fort Worth, Mayor Betsy Price, have agreed to be honorary chairs of Red Cross Month activities annually has meant a great deal.”

Some of the activities coming up between now and the end of the month include:

• Jack Rogers Trunk Show & Shopping Event
  Wednesday, March 20, 4-6pm at Highland Park Village
  20% of sales will benefit the American Red Cross
• Red Cross Day at Norma’s Cafe
  Thursday, March 21 at Norma’s Cafe
  A portion of the day’s sales will benefit the American Red Cross
• Downtown Fort Worth Turns Red
  Monday, March 25 after dark
• Chisholm Trail Chapter Open House
  Monday, March 25, 10am-2pm
  Tuesday, March 26, 3pm-7pm
• Dean Fearing’s Lost Coyote Band Benefit Concert
  Friday, March 29, 8-11pm at the Green Elephant Bar
  $20 admission price will benefit the American Red Cross

Many of these events have a special Red Cross tie—Dallas Area Chapter board members Lori Jones and Kimberly Schlegal Whitman are co-hosting the Jack Rogers Trunk Show, while board member Bob Boulogne plays drums for the Lost Coyote Band. 

“We are so grateful that these leaders in our community believe in our cause and have been so closely involved in planning these events,” said T.D., who was on hand to receive the official Red Cross Month proclamations from the Dallas City Council and Dallas Commissioners Court and will do the same in Fort Worth on March 19. Additionally, on March 25, buildings in downtown Fort Worth will light red to commemorate Red Cross Month. 

T.D. says he’s especially excited that Red Cross Month is bringing attention to the new Red Cross Tornado app.

“It’s so powerful because it’s a real tool, something people can hold in their hand and that has the potential to save their lives. That’s pretty amazing.”

Red Cross Month is a great time to get involved—whether it be donating, giving blood, taking classes and especially volunteering.

“It’s going to be tough for you to find something more rewarding than getting involved with the Red Cross. We’re more than 90 percent volunteers,” T.D. explains. “It’s not that volunteers are important to us fulfilling our mission—they’re crucial. They’re the soul of our organization."

“I tell people, the Red Cross is you. We’re your neighbors. Sometimes people think of the Red Cross as just being a big organization that responds to national disasters, but we’re also the neighbors who show up at the curbside when a house burns down.  That’s because of our volunteers.”

To start your Red Cross story today, visit RedCross.org/DFW, and don’t forget to check out our Facebook page for more updates on Red Cross Month celebrations.

So what’s T.D. looking forward to the most?

“I’m excited to see the Fort Worth skyline turn red. It’s the culmination of a lot of work to make something like that happen, so that’s special,” he said, adding, “On the Dallas side though, definitely the Lost Coyotes concert. I like to rock. And I would never turn down a slice of Norma's Mile High Pie. I'll let my wife take care of the Jack Rogers sandals.”

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