Don’t forget to go online Thursday to support your favorite Denton County nonprofit agencies on North Texas Giving Day.
This year, 83 Denton County nonprofits are participating in the event, a spokeswoman told us.
Donations can be made between 6 a.m. and midnight at www.northtexasgivingday.org, where participating nonprofits are listed in 16 categories, including animals, the arts, health care and hunger.
North Texas Giving Day is unique because it not only gives supporters of area nonprofits an easy way to help their agencies of choice, but it also provides participating nonprofits an opportunity to gain exposure and hopefully start relationships with new supporters.
The event focuses on increasing awareness and visibility for area nonprofits to “raise the bar in funding” for one day, event spokeswoman Carrie Dyer said. Denton County organizations have been participating since 2010.
During the last five years, North Texas Giving Day has pumped more that $60 million into the North Texas community, officials told us, and last year’s event brought in more than 75,000 gifts totaling $25.2 million, benefiting more than 1,350 nonprofit agencies.
The 67 Denton County nonprofits that participated last year raised more than $646,000 on Giving Day, a 77 percent increase in donations from the 2012 total, Dyer said.
One of those groups, the Denton Animal Shelter Foundation, was able to raise $60,000 through Giving Day last year, and grant chairwoman Sandi Brackeen said her group hopes to meet or exceed that total Thursday.
As part of North Texas Giving Day, representatives of Denton County nonprofits will have an opportunity to spread the word about their work from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the downtown Denton Square.
The event will include comments from Denton Mayor Chris Watts, Denton County Judge Mary Horn and University of North Texas Deputy Athletic Director Hank Dickenson, along with music and entertainment for all ages.
Free “swag bags” will be available for the first 500 attendees, according to a news release from the Communities Foundation of Texas.
Anyone with a credit card and access to the Internet can make a donation on North Texas Giving Day, and you can even use smartphones that allow you to make credit/debit card purchases, according to the event website. No donations via check, cash or stock will be accepted.
North Texas Giving Day is a great way to help your neighbors, and we encourage our readers to be generous in supporting Denton County agencies that work throughout the year to improve lives and provide new opportunities.
Plus, visiting the event website is an easy way to support your favorite charities or learn more about other agencies that serve our area.
Take advantage of this opportunity to offer those in need a helping hand — be a part of North Texas Giving Day.
