North Texas Giving Day, the nation’s largest single day of community giving for the past three years, will be held on Sept. 17. Beginning at 6:00 am people are invited to give online at www.northtexasgivingday.org. Communities Foundation of Texas manages the event for the benefit of 2,000-plus nonprofit organizations.
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs participated in North Texas Giving Day for the first time last year.
“We were not sure what to expect, but the donations we received far exceeded anything we could have imagined,” said Lori Stevens, founder and executive director. “We had 311 donors for a total of more than $37,000, plus bonuses earned. As a privately funded nonprofit, we really appreciate these donations and what they will do to further our mission to supply service dogs for disabled American veterans. We look forward to participating again in 2015.”
This year, there will be $2.2 million in bonus funds and prizes for the 2,000-plus non-profits to share. Patriot PAWS hopes to win a few of those prizes and raise over $75,000 in the 18 hours the North Texas Giving Day site is open.
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs will be participating in the Kids Give volunteer activities where children register to make dog tugs for Patriot PAWS to use in the training of their service dogs. This will take place from 11am – 2pm at NorthPark Center on North Central Expressway. You may register your child(ren) at www.cftexas.org/kidgive.
This year, Patriot PAWS is also excited to partner with Mooyah Burgers for the Mooyah-Booyah Drive-by Donation Station. Patriot PAWS volunteers, staff and service dogs in training will be there to greet you and help you make your online donation. And of course, thank you for your donation with a big, slobbery kiss from one of the dogs! Don’t miss out on all the fun, stop by and see us at Mooyah Burgers located at 6713 W Northwest Highway in Dallas.
Funds raised this year will go directly to the expand programs to help alleviate the suffering of disabled American veterans. This includes our prison programs, training programs and the building of new state-of-the-art kennels and training center renovations. The expansion of these programs directly impact our veterans by enabling us to increase the number of dogs in our program, therefore, placing more leashes of highly trained service dogs, into the hands of disabled veterans sooner.
Every 65 minutes, a veteran commits suicide. That’s 22 a day, which is 22 too many. Along with battling the effects of war, our men and women who have served are coming back with not only visible injuries, but invisible injuries that many still do not understand. With the help of a highly trained and certified service dog, these veterans are able to regain physical and emotional independence. It takes up to $34,000 and 2.5 years to train a dog to become the helpmate to a veteran. This is where the NEED for your support comes in. We cannot do this alone.
On behalf of the over 100 veterans awaiting their service dog, please set your alarm clocks to get up and give on September 17th, North Texas Giving Day!