Monday, September 16, 2024
AZLE —North Texas Giving Day, Sept. 19, is a lot like Christmas for nonprofits in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Since its inception in 2009, North Texas Giving Day has raised more than $566 million for over 3,300 nonprofits. North Texas Giving Day was devised by Dallas-based Communities Foundation of Texas with the goal of promoting philanthropy and building a broad base of support for nonprofits across the region. The foundation encourages prospective donors to open their hearts and wallets to give local nonprofits a boost during the month of September. Starting Sept. 1, participating organizations began receiving early donations.
There are seven organizations participating in North Texas Giving Day that call Azle home in one way or another.
Azle-based North Texas giving day recipients include:
The Tri-County Reporter reached out to collect responses on each organization’s current needs and the impact they hope to have on the community.
Visitors to northtexasgivingday.org can find these organizations by setting their location filter to Azle or by clicking here online.
Adult & Teen Challenge:
Adult & Teen Challenge, Azle branch, was established in 2008 at 1099 Flat Rock Road. Through “the Ultimate Journey,” men and teen boys with a history of substance abuse or other lifelong problems can receive room and board, counseling, parenting classes, spiritual support, relapse prevention, anger management and drug and alcohol education. The organization engages its participants in work and educational training during its 13-week intensive life reconstruction course. Readers can find more information at teenchallengetx.org/mens-programs/azle-dallasfort-worth-mens-campus/.
Azle Community Caring Center:
The Azle Community Caring Center was established in 1990 and has been feeding local families at its current 317 Commerce St. location for 20 years. In 2023, the center filled and distributed 15,591 food carts to help 3,492 Azle area families with food and household necessities. Over the past year, it has reported a 40% increase in the number of families using its services. In recent years, the CCC founded The Porch Resale Shoppe to bring in more revenues and earlier this year it began a major construction and expansion project.
The Community Caring Center has been participating in North Texas Giving Day since 2021 and reports it has increased the number of donors and dollars raised every year.
“We are very blessed to be part of such a generous and considerate community,” Assistant Executive Director Bonnie Monninger said in an email to the Tri-County Reporter. “In the previous years we have used the NTX Giving Day as a platform to raise funds for our Annual Christmas Dinner Box Campaign. This year we will be reallocating those financial resources and manpower to further our ongoing efforts to reduce food insecurity in our community. We believe this approach will have a more significant impact, allowing us to support even more individuals and families in need. Regardless of their holiday traditions or personal circumstances, families will have access to the essentials needed to create meaningful meals whenever they need them.”
While the CCC’S new freezer and cooler unit may appear completed from the outside, Monninger reports that electrical, fire suppression and evaporating systems still need work. The organization expects the expansion will be complete by the end of November. Along with monetary donations, the CCC is in-need of cereal, canned proteins, canned veggies and tomato products as soup season draws nearer. Readers can find more information at communitycaringcenter.com.
Bark N rest retirement center:
Bark N Rest Retirement Center cares for senior and special needs dogs. It pays for the ongoing vet needs, nutrition, grooming and housing of its canine residents. Located at 528 Dylan Court, the organization hopes to give dogs that might otherwise be euthanized a comfortable place to live out their days. The organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BarknRest.
Eagle Mountain Pregnancy Help Center:
Eagle Mountain Pregnancy Help Center is another local institution hoping to make a change in Azle. Located at 10328 Jacksboro Highway, Fort Worth, the organization works to provide women an alternative to abortion and offers resources, counseling and support to struggling mothers with young children.
“We are blessed to participate in the nonprofit fundraiser North Texas Giving Day,” EMPHC Executive Director Karen Ogea said. “We thank the community for their prayers and donations of all kinds. So far in 2024, we have provided over 400 client interactions, hosted over 550 educational and lifestyle classes, enrolled and graduated (with high-school diplomas) three students in the Azle ISD Hornet Academy with two more currently enrolled. Also, we have initiated a new fatherhood mentorship program for the fathers we see, as well as a new in-person English as a Second Language class to those families who want to learn better English … Having in stock the supplies our families need and earn can make substantial differences in the outcomes of each situation.”
According to Ogea, one of the center’s biggest needs is diapers, sizes 4-7, and pull-ups, sizes 2T-3T, with receipts. Clothing for children over 12 months for all seasons is also in high demand. In lieu of the items themselves, Amazon gift cards and monetary donations are also appreciated. Ogea said to her knowledge, at least three pregnant women seeking abortions have changed their minds after visiting the center in 2024. The mothers and their children are said to be doing well and are receiving ongoing assistance from the center. More information on EMPHC can be found at emphc.org.
Mollie’s Cat Place:
Mollie’s Cat Place is a sanctuary for senior cats, feral cats and cats with health conditions to live their days in comfort. The shelter provides food, shelter and veterinary care to ensure its feline friends are comfortable and healthy. The organization started work in the Azle area in 2007, and it also acts as a haven for cats other shelters and organizations might opt to euthanize. More information on the sanctuary can be found at www.molliescatplace.org.
The sanctuary currently has just one employee with another set to start soon.
“Our single biggest need is funding,” employee Roni Lisenbe said. “Due to their advanced age and health problems, our vet bills are astronomical! I would say that roughly two-thirds to three-fourths of our budget goes towards these bills as well as medication and treatment. We are also in need of volunteers, people to clean the cat cabins and socialize the cats. There are 22 cats here (which may not seem like much), but because we only have two paid employees, we do not always have the time to interact with the cats one-on-one. We greatly appreciate the time our volunteers spend with them! And, of course, we always appreciate it when people donate food, litter, treats, etc. from our Amazon and Chewy wish lists!”
A representative said the organization relies on North Texas Giving Day to provide a large portion of their working budget
“Last year, we came so close to our goal of $20,000,” Lisenbe said. “We hope this is the year we meet and/or exceed that amount! Our donors are so incredibly generous and kind, and we appreciate every gift, no matter the size. It is very nice to know how many people care about our cats and want to see Mollie's Cat Place succeed. We have already received over $2,500 since Sept. 1, and we are only a week in!”
Reel Recovery:
Founded in 2003, Reel Recovery is a nonprofit organization that conducts free fly-fishing retreats for men at any stage after a cancer diagnosis. Mike Emerson, the state coordinator for the group in Texas, is based in Azle but the organization helps individuals across 23 states and four countries.
The Texas chapter of Reel Recovery takes men to retreats in Glen Rose, San Antonio and Houston. During the fishing trip, the organization tailors each trip to the specific health and lifestyle needs of its participants.
“In Texas we can take as many as 84 guys a year,” Emerson said. “We've actually had guys come as far as Alaska …They say, ‘when I'm fishing, I don't have cancer.’ It’s amazing, you know. It gets them out of the house, and they get to be with other men and just enjoy life. We try to give them a respite from what they're going through. It's just an amazing, amazing deal.”
According to its website, over 600 people have gone through its Texas program and nearly 5,000 have utilized Reel Recovery nationwide. Despite its reach, Emerson said the operation is small, with only a handful of volunteers and employees. Readers can find more information at www.reelrecovery.org.
Servolution Network:
Servolution Network, based at 11698 S. Farm-to-Market Road 730, has been helping Azle area residents with home repairs, free meals and other services for the past 10 years. The group has revitalized more than 300 homes in total, and helped an estimated 1,000 families per year with its Good Neighbors and Pay it Forward programs alone.
“We are excited to be participating for the third year in a row with North Texas Giving Day,” Servolution Director Jason Malewiski said. “It’s the largest community-wide giving event in the nation and mobilizes nonprofits and givers to create lasting impact in their communities. Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 for our Pay it Forward program — the core purpose of this program is to gather gently used furniture, appliances and medical supplies to bless families in need. We pick up items from those who donate, repair and then lovingly gift them to families who are struggling to make ends meet. This program strives to provide a sense of dignity and well-being among those facing challenging circumstances … The needs are great, and we continue every day to try and be a beacon of God's love through this program.”
The funds raised during North Texas Giving Day will help Servolution cover the cost of truck repairs, gas, insurance, appliance repairs and buy new climate control infrastructure to keep the program going. Malewiski said it will also provide for support staff who run the program and allow them to serve more.
One notable Servolution Network project, the Good Neighbors Blitz, will take place Oct. 11 and 12 this year. The organization hopes to complete repairs on more than 15 homes. The group held an “All Hands” meeting Sept. 5 for participants to find out where they can help. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to learn more at servolutionnetwork.com.
