Charity Challege Returns

Who will be CultureMap’s 2017 charity partner? That’s up to you.

CultureMap Charity Challenge is back, which means you have work to do: Vote in this poll for your favorite of these 12 young professionals organizations to determine which one will become our 2017 charity partner.

The group with the most votes wins big: an advertising package valued at $10,000 and bragging rights as CultureMap’s 2017 charity partner. The winner will be announced on January 6, 2017.

You can vote once a day, every day, through December 17 at 11:59 pm. But before you do, learn more about these YPs making a difference in our community:

Dallas Autumn Ball
Dallas Autumn Ball is one of the hottest black-tie events in town. But when the party’s over, DAB mobilizes young adults to make a positive impact in underserved schools in South Dallas through its collaboration with Reading Partners of Dallas and monthly service projects.

Dallas CASA Young Professionals
Dallas CASA Young Professionals is a vibrant group of volunteers with a passion for improving the lives of abused children through outreach, volunteerism, and fundraising. This year’s black-tie-optional CASAblanca party promises an evening of casino games, cocktails, fare, prizes, and a whole lot of fun.

Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce
Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce cultivates and empowers young leaders in the community through service opportunities, mentorship, professional development, and special projects. DJCC hosts a variety of events, including wine tastings, an Easter Egg hunt for kids, and the Johnny Sides gala.

Dallas Museum of Art Junior Associates
In conjunction with the Dallas Museum of Art, the dynamic Junior Associates program offers young professionals unique educational, social, and networking events year-round. These like-minded individuals have a passion for the arts and value immersive, cultural experiences found only at the DMA.

Flight
Members of Flight take a service-first approach to further the efforts of Vogel Alcove. This dedicated lot’s mission is to engage young professionals, raise awareness of the plight of homeless children, fundraise, and grow future leaders. Flight’s signature event is Flight for the Alcove Urban Race.

Heart of Dallas Young Professionals
Heart of Dallas Young Professionals aim to inspire the next generation of leaders in the Dallas sports and entertainment fields by connecting young professionals with one another and providing opportunities to fuel bold social change. Fast Pitch allows nonprofits to make a live pitch to a panel of judges.

KT Trailblazers
The newly formed KT Trailblazers is a dedicated group of Katy Trail enthusiasts that support the efforts of Friends of the Katy Trail. These outdoor aficionados ensure the Katy Trail remains a clean, safe, and beautiful retreat for the community to enjoy while connecting trail lovers with one another through social and networking events.

Lee Park Junior Conservancy
Lee Park Junior Conservancy supports the conservation and preservation of 20 acres of urban green space and the historic building within the park. LPJC members host creek clean-ups, business networking opportunities, and social events like A Day at the Races, one of Dallas’ best Derby soirées.

The One Society
The One Society supports Children’s Health Children's Medical Center by engaging and fostering young leaders to make life better for children through philanthropic, educational, fundraising, volunteer, and social opportunities. The Annual One Society Gala is a fête favorite among the Dallas YP crowd.

Rhapsody in Red
The newly formed Rhapsody in Red young professionals group recently hosted a sold-out, inaugural, black-tie charity ball benefiting Cherish Uganda. The global organization ministers and serves children in Uganda diagnosed with HIV by providing them with much-needed foster homes, education, and medical services.

Yellow Rose Gala Foundation
The Yellow Rose Gala Foundation, founded by Dee and Jimmy Wynne, works to advance research to treat, cure, and ultimately eliminate multiple sclerosis. Today, Dee’s children continue her legacy through the relaunch of the highly anticipated Yellow Rose Gala and its partnership with the National MS Society.

Young Friends of Ronald McDonald House of Dallas
The Young Friends auxiliary organization furthers the Ronald McDonald House’s mission of meeting the needs of seriously ill children and their families. Young Friends offers opportunities through volunteer nights, fall and spring happy hours, membership drives, and their not-to-miss signature Young Friends Party held each spring.

Flight

Photo courtesy of Flight

Flight

charity-challenge

natural disaster prep

Texans can buy these emergency supplies tax-free this weekend

Generac portable generator, emergency preparation supplies

Generac/Facebook

Portable generators that cost less than $3,000 qualify for a tax break during the tax-free weekend.

Texans will be able to purchase critical emergency supplies tax-fee during the statewide Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday from April 26-28. It's not only a good time to prepare for any natural disasters in 2025, but to stock up on household necessities like batteries, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors.

Shoppers can purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free starting at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 26, and the "holiday" runs until midnight on Monday, April 28. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the weekend. Purchases can be made in store, online, through the mail, and via custom order as long as they take place April 26-28.

Qualifying emergency supplies
The list of qualifying tax-free items is available on The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' website, but they must be purchased under certain price brackets.

For example, portable generators that cost less than $3,000 qualify for a tax break, as well as ladders and hurricane shutters that cost less than $300.

Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sales price, according to the Comptroller. So if a shopper buys a $299 rescue ladder and is charged a $10 delivery fee, the total sales price for the purchase is $309, and tax would need to be paid for that sales price.

Additional items that qualify for a tax break as long as they cost less than $75 include:

Axes
Batteries – single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Ice products – including reusable and artificial ice
Light sources – including those that are battery operated or portable self-powered sources, as well as candles, flashlights, and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Non-electric can openers
Non-electric coolers and ice chests for food storage
Radios – including portable self-powered radios, battery operated radios, two-way radios, and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting

The Comptroller's website also reminds shoppers that over-the-counter items – like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, spray and wipes – are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel in compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

Non-qualifying items
Medical masks, face masks, and gloves of any kind do not qualify for a tax exemption. Other taxable items including toilet paper, cleaning supplies (such as disinfectants and bleach wipes), vehicle or boat batteries, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, and stepladders. Camping equipment and supplies, including stoves and tents, are also not eligible for a tax break.

Additionally, any repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies do not qualify for tax exemptions, and neither do any services that are performed on or related to those supplies.

If customers buy a tax-exempt item between April 26-28 and are still taxed, they may request a refund from the seller on the tax paid for the item. The seller can grant the refund to the buyer, or provide them with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which would allow the customer to file a claim for their refund through the Comptroller's website.

emergency supplies tax free weekend taxfree holiday texas