News Charities drive is off to a record start

[TexasStooge]

Storm evacuees, rising homelessness making need greater this year

By KIM HORNER / The Dallas Morning News

The Dallas Morning News Charities kicked off its 20th annual campaign Tuesday with a record $529,063 to help the hungry and homeless.

The drive, which raises money for 21 area nonprofit groups, will solicit contributions through Jan. 31. Nonprofit officials said the need for help is greater than ever this year, given the area's increasing homeless population and influx of thousands of evacuees into North Texas because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"We see evacuee families nearly every day, and their needs seem to be growing," said Martha Doleshal, executive director of the Southeast Dallas Emergency Food Center, one of the agencies that benefits from the campaign. In addition, she said the charity sees rising numbers of longtime residents who also need food, clothing and financial assistance.

"I expect the need is greater this year, but I also believe people are responding to it," Ms. Doleshal said.

Donations to the charity campaign help people like Betty Ray of Dallas, who struggles to make ends meet with her Social Security check. Ms. Ray, 72, said she's thankful she can count on groceries each month from the Southeast Dallas Emergency Food Center.

"I had never done anything like that in my life," Ms. Ray said of having to ask for assistance. "I just walked in there, and they were so sweet. It just helped me out a lot."

Millions distributed

The Charities has distributed more than $14.2 million since 1986 for area nonprofit agencies that provide food, shelter, emergency assistance, job skills training and counseling. The program collected nearly $1.3 million from 1,993 donors last year. The News pays all administrative costs, so the nonprofit groups receive 100 percent of the donations.

This year, the fund drive includes a new charity: Crossroads Community Services. The Dallas agency provides food, bus passes, financial assistance, clothing, budget management workshops and basic computer skills.

Agencies apply in July to receive financial contributions from The Charities. The program's board of directors, with help from the Communities Foundation of Texas, selects charities based on fiscal responsibility, coverage area and the quality and quantity of services. The board also maintains a balance among shelters, emergency services and rehabilitative programs.

Robert W. Mong Jr., editor of The News and chairman of The Charities, said he believes residents will help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people this holiday season.

"The citizens of our community have been generous through this charity for many years," he said. "For our donors, both those here today and in the community, we express our deepest gratitude for your generosity and big hearts."

On Tuesday, several major donors presented large gifts to start the 2005-06 campaign.

For the first time, American Airlines Center participated, donating $17,000. The center's employees, who choose a charitable organization each year to support, also pitched in, contributing an additional $8,000 from donations collected since July.

Personal donation

Jonell Williams, president of the J.L. Williams Foundation, presented $200,000, the third installment of a three-year pledge. Ms. Williams also gave a $25,000 personal donation.

Other major contributions included $100,000 from the Jean H. and John T. Walter Jr. Fund of the Communities Foundation of Texas, $25,000 from the Bill Barrett Family Fund of the Communities Foundation of Texas and $10,000 from an anonymous donor's fund at the foundation.

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas presented $75,000, the eighth year the agency has contributed. In addition, Vinson & Elkins law firm donated $15,000.

This year, The Charities will receive all profits from the sale of Eyes of the Storm – Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: The Photographic Story, by The Dallas Morning News. The book, which can be ordered at DallasNews.com, includes photos and essays from staff photographers and reporters who covered the aftermath of the storms.

The Charities distributed the first checks to nonprofit agencies on Tuesday from $62,000 raised since the close of last year's campaign, including the money raised by American Airlines Center employees. The agencies will continue to receive biweekly checks throughout the campaign.

The program solicits contributions from Thanksgiving through the end of January, but money is accepted year-round.

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to: The Dallas Morning News Charities, P.O. Box 910845, Dallas, Texas 75391-0845 or can be made online at charities.dallas news.com. For more information, call 214-977-8875.