North Texas Giving Day concluded on Sept. 17, marking the end of a three-week fundraising period for regional charities. Although final figures for this year were not yet available, the annual campaign has a strong track record, having raised $74.2 million for 3,500 organizations last year. Since its inception in 2009, the initiative has generated more than $700 million in donations.
The event is coordinated by the Communities Foundation of Texas in collaboration with thousands of nonprofits across the region.
In Frisco, the celebration included a specific gathering at Kaleidoscope Park on Sept. 10. More than 20 area nonprofits participated in the fair, which marked the third year the park has hosted such an event alongside the Giving Day campaign and the Kaleidoscope Park Foundation’s third anniversary.
Marissa Melancon, a community engagement officer for the foundation, stated that the park aims to provide an inclusive, accessible environment with year-round programming at no cost. She noted that these fairs help draw visitors to the park while allowing residents to connect with various charitable organizations.
Among the attendees was Wildlife on the Move, a group that has operated in the Dallas area for 21 years. The organization uses injured wildlife and abandoned pets as ambassadors to educate the public at schools, libraries, and corporate events. Eric Brittingham, the group’s president, emphasized the importance of in-person interactions to help the public understand their missions.
The group set a fundraising goal of $7,600 for their animal care fund and a campaign that brings animal experiences to underserved after-school programs. By Thursday afternoon, they had raised $4,888.
