Jingle Jet is brought together by the dedication of many individuals each year. From year-round support to day-of volunteering, each person involved with Jingle Jet provides invaluable assistance and expertise to make each year magical.
Tony Zazza
The Founder of Jingle Jet and current Chairman, Tony is the heart and spirit of Jingle Jet. Since the beginning, the focus for Tony is to make Jingle Jet a fixture of hope and joy in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex for years to come. After originally organizing the event, Tony has built Jingle Jet into a vibrant occasion to celebrate the holidays.
Tony has spent over 12 years in Dallas radio and more than 15 years in media. A transplant from San Diego, Tony has called Texas home since 1993. His continued focus on the community and the needs of children and animals has earned him a respectful reputation for caring. After three years of Jingle Jet, Tony is proud to count the 15 families he has helped as members of the growing Jingle Jet family.
As a fixture of 103.7 lite fm (KVIL) in middays, Tony works to make Jingle Jet a fixture of the giving season. Tony currently resides in Plano with his three dogs (Mac, Ally & Cooper) along with his two cats (Faith & Hill). When he can get away you can typically find him in Austin with his Nieces, Addyson and Ava, and his Nephew, Julian.
The Team
Over the years, The Team has changed faces but kept its spirit. The Team is essential to each detail, whether big or small, that makes Jingle Jet work. No matter the task, The Team has provided invaluable support and charisma which makes Jingle Jet truly unique.
Josh Derby joined Jingle Jet in 2009 and serves as the Executive Director. As a top-notch organizer, his passion for Jingle Jet has ensured its continued quality and efficiency in creating magic and holiday joy. Julie Clark is our Family Magic Coordinator in charge of the experience for both our selected families and their nominators. Her dedication and experience with charitable events provides our families with an incredible experience of a lifetime.
02Kool Entertainment's staff of Santa & Mrs. Claus, the elves, face painters, balloon artists and even reindeer help to build an interactive experience for families who visit the North Pole. Our decorators and friends at No Frills Grill make the even memorable with ambience and treats. There is no stone left unturned by The Team to build anticipation, excitement and joy for an even that delivers nothing less than a fantastic dream come to life.
Mike & Mandy Modano
Mike & Mandy are leaders in community events and philanthropy. Mike has been with the Stars Organization since before their move to Dallas. Mandy has been an immensely active partner with Jingle Jet to promote and grow the event and entity for a larger vision.
Both Mike & Mandy have lent their time to appear on television with Tony for promotions. From their time to contributions and to attending the event, both Mike & Mandy are intregal supporters of Jingle Jet.
Even with as busy as they are, Mandy is continuously working on films and television and Mike is hard at work on the ice and in the office, their contributions to Jingle Jet make a tremendous difference in the lives of our families. Each year they wait for the families at the North Pole to greet them and help them open presents.
Always contributing their ideas, we look forward to two great creative minds working alongside The Team and Tony to make Jingle Jet even better year after year.
The Families
To date, we have received nominations for over 2,000 families from members of the Dallas - Fort Worth community. Though we haven't been able to help them all, we are immensely humbled to have the opportunity to help as many as we can.
Each of our families has a unique story. What ties them all together is their experience of hardship, their determination to forge ahead and the love of those around them. All families are nominated by third-parties. No family can nominate itself. This ensures that each story we are presented with is a valid and that each family has earned the love and consideration of their nominators.
Families such as the Oversons, who were losing their father to cancer - or the Cogdells who lost their father the day after Thanksgiving, find their holidays in jeopardy and with the help of Jingle Jet, experience a holiday filled with love and happiness.
Our families make up who we are because they drive what we do. Our passion as an organization revolves around one day a year when our families get to experience a holiday they would not have otherwise had without us.