Today across North Texas, charitable organizations are maximizing donations for North Texas Giving Day. Many will have challenge funds, matching funds and more as they raise the money they need to keep serving our community. All of them will be accepting online donations, so even if you can't make it to the square, you can still donate. Read on to find out a few of our favorite organizations in Denton, and how you can help give back.
NTX Giving Day is now in its 9th year and has raised a lot of money for charitable organizations over the years. In fact, just last year the event raised $137 million on just one day. Should you participate? Yes. Even if you are already making annual donations to these charities, your donation today will make an even bigger impact. Many organizations have special doners or companies that will match funds raised today. So your $50 donation could become a $100 donation with matched funds.
One of our favorite ways to invest in the future of our city is in giving support to Communities In Schools of North Texas. 1 in 4 students in North Texas is at risk of dropping out. Communities In Schools helps to pair these students with mentors, after school help, supplies and in school support systems so that they can go on to graduate, no matter what. Stop by their booth on the square, and not only will you have the chance to possibly dunk our own Glen Farris, but any donations over $26 will be multiplied.
Pursuing the music and arts as a career has never been known to be a financially easy or smooth path. Starving artists and musicians add so much to the culture of our great town, but sadly they often find it difficult to afford living in Denton. Founders of new local nonprofit, the Denton Music and Arts Collaborative, have set out to combat that issue, starting with subsidizing health care for artists and musicians. DMAC is a wonderful organization with a worthwhile cause and are well deserving of your donation. Send them some funds and help support Denton arts! You can read more about DMAC here.
CASA of Denton County advocates for some of the most vulnerable among us. When children are taken out of their homes because they are no longer safe environments, they often need a Court Appointed Special Advocate to represent the child's best interest in the child protections system. These advocates are highly trained volunteers who are often the most stable presence in the child's life as their entire world is being turned upside-down. Gifts of $25 or more during Giving Day will be amplified.
Greater Denton Arts Council is an incredible organization that focuses on the support, promotion and encouragement of the arts in Denton. They host juried exhibits, creative workshops, community events and are even awarding artist grants. You can join them on the square tomorrow for superhero selfies, comic making, and donating to the arts!
Denton County Friends of the Family provides services and shelter to those affected by rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence. One in four women and one in nine men are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives. Often the people and families who are escaping these relationships are leaving all of their possessions behind and will be in a state of crisis. Friends of the Family provides safety, shelter, counseling services and violence intervention and advocacy. At a time when government grants are experiencing cut backs, Denton County Friends of the Family needs our help to keep their Emergency Shelter available to provide life saving shelter and safety to those in need.
The Denton Public School Foundation helps support teachers, classrooms and school organizations in achieving excellence for students all around Denton. They provide education grants for teachers so that our students can have experiences that would not fit into the general school budget. They also award scholarships to graduating seniors so that they can continue on with their education beyond Denton ISD. As Denton ISD continues to grow, and our school system continues to expand, there are an increased number of students and an increasing number of classrooms that need your support.
Don't have money to donate? Just donate bone marrow! Hallie's Heroes is a local group encouraging (and helping) people get on the National Bone Marrow Registry. Last year, they had a booth on the square and had everything you needed to get your cheek swabbed and your DNA mailed in to the correct place. You can help save the life of someone with a life-threatening blood disease like anemia.
Of course these are just a few of the amazing organizations that will be participating tomorrow. We highly encourage you to take a moment to head over to North Texas Giving Day and support the incredible organizations that continue to support our community.
