Fundraising Fun

Stilt walkers and zoo animals help stimulate $14.4 million worth of charitabledonations on North Texas Giving Day

When we arrived at the Communities Foundation of Texas on Caruth Haven for North Texas Giving Day, we were greeted by some very tall ladies. Turns out these women were stilt walkers from Amphibian Stage Productions, a Fort Worth-based theater company – and one of 929 nonprofits benefiting from this charitable day.

This was the fourth annual North Texas Giving Day, designed to raise awareness for North Texas-area nonprofits as well as fill their coffers. From 7 am to midnight September 13, any donation $25 and up made via Donor Bridge was matched by some percentage from a pool of around $1 million. For regular supporters of these charities – or for first-time or occasional givers – North Texas Giving Day is the time to donate a little extra, knowing it will be bolstered by matching funds.

This was the first year the Communities Foundation turned giving day into a full-fledged event. Festivities included performances from local arts organizations (the aforementioned Amphibian Stage Productions plus groups like Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Anita M. Martinez Ballet Folklorico), appearances by Dallas Zoo animals, and food-on-wheels from vendors like Ruthie’s Rolling Cafe and Rock Star Bake Shop.

But fun was only one goal for the day. This was serious fundraising business. As many of the 26,000 donations rolled in via the Donor Bridge website, visitors like us were invited to donate onsite at laptops set up inside the CFT building. And the staff was eager to educate us about the beneficiaries and share stories. To ensure success, the foundation contracted Austin-based technology firm Kimbia, capable of iTunes-level transactions, to process the donations coming in from all 50 states, some U.S. territories and as many as 16 countries – including Kazakhstan. This was truly a global effort.

After taking a tour of the donation center and making our pledges, we grabbed a bite at Jack ’s Chowhound. When we looked up at the leader board on our way out, we realized that total donations had increased by more than $1 million since our arrival two hours prior.

Turns out North Texas Giving Day raised a record-breaking $14.4 million. Topping the leaderboard was the Salvation Army of Texas at $554,483, followed by Ursuline Academy, at $265,497. The Dallas Arboretum also had a good day, with 25 gifts totaling $206,228.

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RIP Pete

Dallas businessman and former Schepps Dairy owner Pete Schenkel dies

Courtesy photo

Pete Schenkel

Dallas businessman Pete Schenkel, a philanthropist and former owner of Dallas-based Schepps Dairy, passed away; he was 88.

Born and raised in South Dallas where he worked on his father's dairy farm, Schenkel worked his way up from a Schepps Dairy deliverer to become an owner of the company in 1987. He went on to serve as President and owner of Southern Foods, which later sold to Suiza Foods and became Dean Foods, for which he also served as president and board member.

A statement from the city of Dallas says that Schenkel "leaves a legacy where he will be remembered for sharing his success with others and for his steadfast commitment to serve with pride and humility. Pete was unwavering in his dedication to making Dallas one of the safest large cities in the United States and was instrumental in promoting our economic growth and social vibrancy. We will strive to carry on his legacy by continuing to make Dallas a better place for all."

Founded by Harmon "Hymie" Schepps in 1942, Schepps Dairy traded hands and emerged from a bankruptcy under the primary ownership of Schenkel, who was Schepps' business partner. In 2000, the company was acquired by Suiza Foods Co., which then merged with Dallas-based Dean Foods the following year.

Schenkel was also involved in Dallas politics from the '80s to the '00s, both with sought-after endorsements as well as working on campaigns for mayoral candidates such as Jack Evans and Ron Natinsky.

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the NFF Gridiron Club for his role in helping bring football back to the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. He fought to keep the annual Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game at Cotton Bowl Stadium and has been the key negotiator in keeping the game there ever since.

Schenkel served on many influential boards that helped shape Dallas and North Texas, including chairing the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors and the Methodist Health Care Foundation. After retiringm he remained active in nonprofit circles, helping direct a charitable fund with his wife, the Pat and Pete Schenkel Charitable Trust. He also served on the board of the Dallas Blue Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families of Dallas police officers killed or wounded in action.

His multiple awards and commendations including receiving the 82nd annual Linz Award for civic service in Dallas in 2011, as well as a Russell H. Perry Award from Dallas Baptist University, which lauded Schenkel for adhering to the highest ethical standards and being loyal to and respectful of friends and customers, as well as his modesty, shying away from the spotlight and shining it on others instead.

He's survived by his wife Pat, three children and seven grandchildren.

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