The Salvation Army DFW Blog: February 2014

Dear Friends,

Let us start by saying THANK YOU!

Our Christmas programs provided assistance to thousands of North Texans, despite the shortened Christmas season and an unexpected ice storm.

Donors from across the Metroplex donated Christmas gifts through our Angel Tree program for 53,775 local children and seniors. In all, 16,550 families received assistance from The Salvation Army at Christmas time.

Thank you for your support!

Meanwhile, our Red Kettle campaign suffered a $584,000 shortfall, in large part because Thanksgiving fell a week later last year, which meant we lost a week of fund raising, plus the ice storm that knocked us out of two more days.

But compassionate North Texans took action. After hearing news, foundations and generous donors helped make up the shortfall. While we still have a large deficit in kettle income, these gifts have lessened the burden significantly.

Celebrating 125 years
in Texas!

125^th ANNIVERSARY IN TEXAS
The Salvation Army has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination in Texas for 125 years. We’re celebrating with two new events designed to mobilize the next generation of caring donors and volunteers with experiential ways to join our Doing the Most Good movement. The Most Good 5K & Obstacle Race will be May 3 in trendy Trinity Groves, and the Most Good Music Festival September 6, at Fort Worth’s Panther Island.

These events will help generate new funding through ticket sales, entry fees, and corporate sponsorships. The new funding is critical so we can continue to meet the growing demand for The Salvation Army’s services.

THE MOST GOOD 5K & OBSTACLE RACE
The Obstacle Race features 125 teams of two, conquering unique urban challenges designed to test participants’ strength, agility and strategic thinking. The challenges are set up around Dallas’ most notable landmarks and offer access to venues not available to the public. Racers will experience Dallas like no one else can, while competing for exciting prizes.

The Most Good 5K & Obstacle Race
comes May 3!

The 5K runners and walkers will enjoy competing near sunset while feasting their sights on Downtown Dallas’ electric panoramic skyline. The Family Fun Festival mixes fitness and fun with your family and friends for a wonderfully fit day. The event will educate participants about The Salvation Army’s five impact areas: Feed the Hungry, Shelter the Homeless, Empower Youth, Assist the Elderly and Aid Disaster Survivors. Learn more about the Most Good 5K & Obstacle Race – and how to register – here.

Tony Romo (left) and Jason Witten
of the Dallas Cowboys
with Captain Michele Matthews at
the annual pre-Thanksgiving meal
for residents of our homeless shelter in Dallas.

THE DALLAS COWBOYS – FOUNDING PARTNER
Many corporations have supported The Salvation Army but none are more distinguished than the Dallas Cowboys. The DFW Metroplex Command is honored to name the Cowboys as Founding Partner for our corporate partnership program. The program was launched in conjunction with the 125^th anniversary celebration of The Salvation Army in Texas.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
speaking during
the 125th anniversary
announcement last October.

The Cowboys’ Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, Charlotte Jones Anderson, is serving as chair of the anniversary. Her parents, Gene and Jerry Jones, are serving as honorary co-chairs along with President George W. Bush and Laura Bush.

We are continually grateful to the Cowboys for their support, expertise and vision.

YOUTH EDUCATION TOWN – TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP

The Salvation Army Youth Education Town
in Arlington provides various programs
and services to youth in North Texas.

The Salvation Army YouthEducation Town (YET) in Arlington and Tarrant County College (TCC) have agreed to a partnership that began on February 3 with three courses being taught by TCC at the YET: English as a Second Language (ESL), GED Test Instruction, and Office Careers preparation. The partnership may expand to include a plethora of adult, senior and summer youth programs at the YET, including an upgrade to the YET’s classroom technology.

Captain Michele Matthews (far left)
with members of the
Korean Business Community
and the Carr P. Collins Advisory Board
during the computer donation announcement.

MORE GOOD NEWS!
The Korean Business Community donated brand new computers for a computer lab at our homeless shelter in Dallas. The computers will allow shelter residents to search and apply for jobs, and access information on financial education and more.

A non-profit group called Niki Covers The Cold brought their truck and trailer to our homeless shelter in Fort Worth to give residents free blankets, shirts, jackets, and sweaters. Their visit was timely: On the day they arrived, temperatures dropped into the low 30s.

Members of Niki Covers The Cold
at our homeless shelter in Fort Worth.

Niki Covers The Cold was founded in memory of Niki Carlson, who unexpectedly passed away in March 2010. Prior to her death, she planned to distribute blankets from her truck to people in need. Niki’s parents made her vision an ongoing reality by starting a nonprofit organization in Niki’s honor.

CONNECT WITH US
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