The early donation period for North Texas Giving Day has opened, and for neighbors looking to contribute, there are more than a few Lake Highlands nonprofits participating this year.
Photography by Shelby Tauber.
Held on Sept. 18 each year, North Texas Giving Day is the largest community-wide giving event in the United States as it enters its 17th year. Over 3,600 nonprofits — including quite a few based in Lake Highlands — across North Texas are participating this year, the most in the initiative’s history, according to a release.
Since 2009, the initiative has raised close to $500 million for local nonprofits, according to the NTGD website.
While the official giving day falls in September, the early donation period opens close to a month beforehand on Aug. 28. Each participating organization has a page with a campaign goal on the NTGD website, which has an interactive discover section available to help interested neighbors find nonprofits they resonate with. The website also has a quiz available for those interested in donating but unsure which organization is best for them.
For neighbors looking to support neighborhood nonprofits, there are a large number of Lake Highlands organizations participating. Below, neighbors can find a non-exhaustive list of participating nonprofits from the neighborhood.
EMERGE Lake Highlands
NTGD Page | Goal: $10,000 | Needs: Supplies for Moss Haven Elementary students
Founded in 2020, EMERGE Lake Highlands is a nonprofit organization that supports vulnerable Moss Haven Elementary students with school supplies, nutrition and monetary assistance. Along with backpacks and binders, the organization helps students with lunch money, field trips and non-perishable food items to take home over longer breaks.Â
Feed Lake Highlands
NTGD Page | Goal: $60,000 | Needs: Expansion of food distribution, vehicle maintenance, mobile food distribution, new building sign.
Feed Lake Highlands is a neighborhood-based food pantry that has evolved from a Lake Highlands United Methodist Church program to a fully-fledged independent nonprofit. Last year, FLH distributed 247,419 pounds of food throughout Lake Highlands. While the bulk of its outreach centers around food distribution at its storefront on Whitehurst Drive, the organization also provides a mobile food pantry and literacy programs for neighbors of all ages.
Forerunner Mentoring
NTGD Page | Goal: $120,000 | Needs: Train more volunteers, mom & family dinners, after-school club growth, after-school snacks
A faith-based program founded by former Lake Highlands Junior High coach Zach Garza, Forerunner Mentoring provides male youth from the neighborhood without father figures with trained mentors. The organization also organizes after-school activities and field trips for Lake Highlands youth, in addition to supporting single mothers through ministry and gatherings.
CHEW Animal Clinic
NTGD Page | Goal: $30,000 | Needs: Operational expenses, compassion fund
Started in 2021 by Doodle Rock Rescue founder Leigh Sendra, CHEW Animal Clinic provides low-cost veterinary services from its building on Walnut Hill Lane. When an owner is unable to pay for life-saving surgery, CHEW utilizes its Compassion Fund to cover the costs of services.
More Lake Highlands organizations can be found on the NTGD website.
