Have you heard? Today – September 19, 2013 is THE DAY – North Texas Giving Day. It is a day when your gifts to nonprofit organization in the North Texas area will be multiplied.
FOR DONORS:
If you would like to make a donation to a nonprofit on North Texas Giving Day, visit DonorBridgeTX.org beginning at 7:00am on Thursday, September 19. At 7:00am, donors will be able to search for a nonprofit by typing in their organization name, or by category search. You can donate to any of these eligible nonprofits from 7:00am to midnight on Thursday, September 19.
Sweet Mother of Pearl! The list of approved organizations is overwhelming – There are over twelve pages and each page has three columns.
Here are some of my suggestions: (Not that the other charities are not worthy, but these are ministries I have personal knowledge about.)
Mercy Street: This faith based organization is making a difference in West Dallas by pairing one tutor with one child. They have been doing this for ten years and there have been major changes in scholastic achievement and a sense of community during this time.
The Living Stones Bible Study Fellowship and the Albers’ Mens class provide a Sunday Night Meal once a month for their Bible study.
The children are polite, and fun loving.
One of the goals of Mercy Street is for the children to return to their West Dallas community as leaders.
Buckner is also on the list. This organization has been aiding children and families since 1879.
Areas of Focus (from the Buckner website)
Buckner makes life better for orphans, vulnerable children and families through the following programs:
• Family programs: foster care, adoption, residential care and transition programs
• Empowerment programs: self-sufficiency programs, education and job readiness training
• Community programs: after-school programs, counseling and apartment ministries, transformation centers
• Aid and support: global humanitarian aid, medical clinics, short-term missions support and Shoes for Orphan Souls®
• Retirement Services: independent living, assisted living, memory care at The Harbor, skilled care, hospice care and ElderCare in seven locations in Texas.
Our groups volunteer efforts have centered around the Shoes for Orphaned Souls that sends shoes to needy children here at home and around the world.
Dallas Life is another worthy charity that is making a difference in the lives of the homeless in Dallas.
Dallas Life reaches out to homeless men, women and children with food, clothing, shelter, education and long-term rehabilitation programs founded on spiritual principals and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
This is a picture from their website of their August graduation class. Thirty-five men and women were restored to begin life again with jobs, housing, and addiction free! On their website they write about not just giving hand-outs, but giving hands- up, and their success rate is amazing. I like that.
The Network of Community Ministries – a Richardson Based Food Bank is on the list.
The Network provides health and emergency services to children, low-income families, and senior citizens in need within RISD. The mission is “caring, coaching, and empowering our neighbors in need as they seek an improved quality of life.”
Austin Street –
Austin Street Center provides emergency shelter and related services to the homeless person in a compassionate, faith-based community and provides “whole person” therapeutic programs so that the person in need might be better able to make responsible choices, positive changes and have economic self-sufficiency.
We provide the basics of food, shelter, showers, clothing and, when necessary, medical attention, to those who come to us each day. Austin Street Center has become nationally recognized for its unique therapeutic program for the homeless. Not only does the Center offer safe, clean shelter and an evening meal for up to 475 men, women and children each night, but it provides substance abuse treatment, medical and psychiatric care, adult rehabilitation, a transitional living facility for clients who qualify, and a beautiful interdenominational Chapel.
Looking at the twelve plus pages of charities in North Texas, I was overwhelmed. There are so many needs. For every donation contributed on this one day, the gifts will be multiplied by major donors. It is an important day for these charities, and a way for us to make our gifts of $25.00 or more be multiplied.
Sweet Mother of Pearl – During the 2012 event, donors made more than 37,000 gifts totaling $14.4 million, benefiting more than 900 nonprofits. Of course, they want to beat their record this year.
Blessings to you and yours,
DonorBridgeTX.org is where you go to donate.
Matthew 25: 35-40 NIV
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’