Surrounded by Children from Many Countries, World Traveler Finds a Home at Youth Believing in Change
Dale Sadler has traveled the world in his work for PepsiCo, but feels at home surrounded by the children of many different cultures at the afterschool program, Youth Believing in Change located on Stults Road in Lake Highlands.
Born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Dale is proud to note his parents recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. His mother is an artist, poet, and former school teacher. “She’s got books and short stories for sale on Amazon.com,” he says. And his father is a retired Oklahoma State Representative.
One of four children, Dale grew up like many boys from Oklahoma, wanting to be a professional football player, but admits, “I just lacked the size and speed – all the important stuff.” Although he was a starter throughout high school, “I decided to not be a blocking dummy at the college ranks.”
After graduation from Ardmore High, he attended Oklahoma State University where he earned a Bachelors in Accounting and a Masters focused in Tax. He’s also a CPA.
He has lived in Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colorado working for “Big 4” tax consulting firms, and has been with PepsiCo for nearly two decades.
About 20 years ago, he met Vince Gaddis at Fellowship Bible Church in Dallas, soon after Gaddis had started Youth Believing in Change, an after school program created for children in the Vickery Meadows area. YBC gives students a safe place to go to do their homework after school, instead of home to an empty apartment. This made sense to Dale. He knows children need a quiet place to concentrate, and sometimes an adult to show them what they need to know to complete their work. And a hot meal for a hungry tummy works wonders, all of which YBC provides to over 175 kids a day. Dale was hooked as soon as he saw the program.
“Since then, I have continued to be involved with YBC and the kids,” he says. “I’ve visited nursing homes with them, helped with families in need, gone bowling, read with them and just hung out with the YBC kids and staff.”
Executive Director Vince Gaddis says, “Dale is in tune with every facet of Youth Believing in Change. We are blessed that he has chosen to utilize his professional skills as treasurer of YBC.”
“I believe in the YBC vision that kids need an education and work ethic to be successful – it needs to be emphasized,” says Dale. “And along with this there needs to be spiritual direction and leadership built on the solid foundation. YBC provides this through teaching foundational Biblical principles for leadership and living.”
Last summer Dale was reading Bible verses on flash cards to some of the youngest YBC camp members and as he read the first few words, the children would finish the verse. “I thought to myself, this is really impressive, these kids are learning Scripture before they have learned to speak English and read well.”
Many of those children could grow up to be leaders in Dallas one day, or famous like the people Dale has met throughout his life, including Boxing Promoter Don King, “Zorro” actor Antonio Banderas, and Country Western great Garth Brooks. “I met Garth before he was big time--he was just a guy who played guitar around the OSU campus!” he remembers with a laugh. If he could pick a famous person to meet, C.S. Lewis, the Christian author of The Screwtape Letters and The Chronicles of Narnia would have been his choice.
And if he hadn’t become an corporate tax expert, he may have been famous for another skill he has. “I did a few radio and TV voice overs for my dad’s campaigns back before he retired,” Dale says, “and I often hear that I should do more of that.”
Although he never made it as a pro football player, he has travelled to 30 different countries in his life time, many for work the past 19 years as Tax Vice President of Latin American and Canada for PepsiCo. His expertise with numbers made him a natural choice to become the Board Treasurer of Youth Believing in Change, following in the footsteps of long-term Board member and former Board Treasurer Don Tidwell, who passed away last August.
The former high school football player now encourages young men to follow in his footsteps to graduate from college and become a success in business—and life.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” --1 Peter 4:10
Youth Believing in Change (YBC) is a 501©3 non-profit after school program located on Stults Road in Lake Highlands. It is free for children ages 3 to 17. Volunteers are always welcome.
Scouts needing an Eagle Scout project are encouraged to contact YBC. Church groups and individuals are welcome to come and tutor the students from 4:30 to 5:30. Donations are also welcome. Pencils, notebook paper and boxes of tissues are always welcome.
For more information on Youth Believing in Change or to donate, see the website: www.ybcdallas.org
Or contact the office at 214-692-9242 or e-mail program director Angela Gaddis at angela@ybcdallas.org
YBC has an annual dinner, An Evening of Change, May 4, 2017 from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Highland Park Presbyterian Church (Elliott Hall) — 3821 University Boulevard, Dallas, 75205. This year's keynote speaker is the new Dallas District Attorney, Faith Johnson. The public is invited to attend. For tickets or more information call 214-692-9242.