Charitable News

7 charitable endeavors going on for the holidays around Dallas

Bonton Farms received a donation.

Courtesy photo

Dallas has already been in a charitable mode due to the pandemic, with people lending a hand to help each other. Now with the holidays coming, the charitable efforts are on the upswing, with people doing all kinds of good things for each other.

Here's the latest round of kind acts:

Bonton Farms
Pure Farmland has recognized Bonton Farms in Dallas and its positive impact in the community with a check donation of $5,000. The endowment is part of the 2020 Pure Growth Project, an initiative launched by Pure Farmland earlier this year to ensure community gardens and farms continue to thrive, and to help increase the availability of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables nationwide.

Bonton Farms was selected as a 2020 grant recipient to support its commitment in providing residents with nutritious food, education through farming, employment opportunities, affordable housing, and more, which is needed now more than ever during this critical moment in time.

After receiving 167 applications from community gardens and farms across 31 states, 50 organizations were carefully selected to receive grants, totaling $100,000 in financial support, to nurture these unique neighborhood spaces.

Bonton Farms will use the award of $5,000 to complete agricultural plans for the year in order to enhance production. Additionally, during these uncertain times, the farm is working with the community to address barriers that go much deeper than just access to nutritional foods, but to restore lives, create jobs and ignite hope.

Union Gospel Mission
Union Gospel Mission Dallas (UGM) accepted the donation of more than 70 coats from Discipleship Ministries Inc., a church located in Red Oak. The coats donated will be given to UGM Dallas residents to shield them from the cold as temperatures drop during winter months.

Union Gospel Mission Dallas is a faith-based nonprofit organization that supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness with shelter, food, and clothing, as well as a Discipleship and recovery program, vocational job training and development, state-licensed child care services, medical care, transportation, substance abuse prevention, and transitional and permanent housing.

In 2019 the Mission assisted individuals in Dallas County by providing more than 194,749 nights of shelter and serving 586,551 meals. UGM Dallas also houses 160 veterans in their men's shelter each month who were previously homeless.

Norma's Cafe
Norma's Cafe has partnered with Trusted World and The Birthday Party Project to provide necessities and toys for those in need. The home-cooking restaurant chain is encouraging customers to drop off new socks and underwear as well as new or gently used coats & outerwear for Trusted World. This North Texas-based charity provides support for over 350 different agencies and nonprofits in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including clothing, food, sanitary items, and more.

"We are so grateful to partner with Norma’s Cafe again to make sure our charity partners have quality supplies and clothing to get through the winter months. We are passionate about providing resources to these organizations so that they may focus their core competencies of serving those in need," says Janet Shirlip, Development Director of Trusted World.

All 5 Norma's locations are also accepting new toys for The Birthday Party Project, another North Texas charity that partners with homeless and transitional shelters in DFW to bring the magic of birthday parties to children ages 1-21.

Village Burger Bar
Village Burger Bar will donate $1 from a special "Taylor Burger" to Scottish Rite For Children. It's named for a special patient named Taylor who was diagnosed with spina bifida; she credits Scottish Rite with helping her thrive and gain confidence over the years through camps designed to give kids the freedom to express themselves through dance in a comfortable and safe environment.

"When people buy my delicious burger, $1 will go back to helping kids like me do the things they love, like singing, cheer and dancing, when they grow up," Taylor says in a release.

Taylor's burger is made with a brisket and chuck blend burger patty topped with mayo, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, bacon, pickles, barbecue sauce, and an onion ring on a brioche bun. It is the fourth Scottish Rite give back burger since June 2019 to be offered on the Village Burger Bar menu and is available at all locations.

Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese is bringing holiday magic to families nationwide with Winter Winner-land, a new month-long celebration filled with instant prizes, delicious treats, giftables and its brand-new Giving Tree Program. Customers at Dallas Chuck E. Cheese will be encouraged to donate some of their e-Tickets to children within WFAA’s Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive. All tickets collected will be used to purchase toys from Chuck E.’s gift shop for children within the organization. For every donation, the donor will be given an ornament they can proudly add to a Christmas tree within each Chuck E. Cheese location, a visual representation of the total number of donations.

Pollo Campero
The Pollo Campero at 1703 N. Cockrell Hill Rd. will be hosting a drive-thru holiday fest giving back to the community on Saturday December 12 from 12-2 pm. The first 150 people in line get a free Pollo Campero meal, one holiday ham per vehicle while supplies last, canned Goya products, and prizes including pinatas and gift cards. A live DJ will be there to keep the holiday spirit alive for everyone waiting in line. Throughout the month of December, all Pollo Campero locations are offering 25 percent off any catering order with the code "JUSTCATER".

McDonald's
Every Monday in December, participating North Texas-area McDonald’s restaurants will provide free hot or iced coffee to teachers and school personnel. Teachers and staff can show their valid school ID at the drive thru or carry out counter to receive any size coffee on December 7, 14, 21 and 28. The offer is valid for any size coffee at participating restaurants in North Texas.

Habitat For Humanity
Dallas-area Habitat for Humanity's ReStores are hosting a "12 Days of Christmas" sales event from December 12-23, with proceeds having a positive impact on the local community.

Habitat ReStores sell new and reused donated home improvement items at a low cost with all proceeds benefiting Dallas Habitat and their mission. Through homeownership opportunities, financial education, advocacy, and neighborhood empowerment, Habitat seeks to transform families, revitalize neighborhoods, and work towards building a better Dallas.

The 12 Days of Christmas will be a virtual sale with a different deal every day on items as such as 50% off ceramic tile, 30% off rugs, 40% off ceiling fans, and a $29.99 King or Queen comforter for $11.99, retail price $29.99.

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Heat Wave News

Dallas pet owners should take these steps with oncoming heat wave

SPCA

Keep your pets hydrated. Consider putting out a kiddie pool.

Dallas weather is about to take a serious turn, and the SPCA has valuable advice on what steps pet owners should take. It's easy to forget that animals get hit hard by the heat, and especially in Texas: A report by Veterinarians.org found that Texas was No. 1 on the list of states with heat-related pet deaths. Based on data they compiled from 2018-2022, Texa had 40 reported heat-related pet deaths — more than six times the national five-year average.

In a statement, SPCA of Texas Interim Chief Veterinarian Valarie Tynes, DVM, DACVB, DACAW reminds pet owners that their pets have very few ways to cool themselves down.

“As a veterinarian, I’ve seen far too many cases of dogs and cats suffering from heatstroke, often brought into the emergency room when it’s already too late," Tynes says. "Our pets have very limited ways to cool themselves down. They can sweat a small amount through their paw pads, but their main way to release excess heat is by panting. Panting helps pets cool off through the evaporation of moisture, but it only provides limited relief, especially during extreme temperatures."

Tynes says that, when the body can’t shed heat fast enough, serious internal damage begins to occur.

"The proteins and chemicals that keep the body functioning start to break down," she says. "I’ve seen heat affect the kidneys and brain—organs and processes that are incredibly sensitive to high temperatures."

Breed, overall health and environment all can influence how at-risk a pet is, but one thing is always true: prevention is critical. Please don’t underestimate how dangerous heat can be.

Tynes advises pet owners to keep pets in cool, shaded areas, provide plenty of fresh water, and avoid walks or outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Here are some proactive measures to keep pets safe and comfortable during these sweltering days:

Keep your pets hydrated
Make sure your furry friends have access to fresh, cool water at all times. Consider placing multiple water bowls around your home and refill them regularly. If your pets must be outside during the day, make sure there are plenty of shady spaces throughout the day and several shaded, nontippable water bowls filled with ice water. Do not use metal bowls outside.

If possible, a small wading pool filled with cold ice water and placed in a shaded area outside is preferred. This not only allows pets to drink but also to cool off in the water when overheating.

Schedule exercise with your pets wisely on warm days
Give your pet plenty of water before and after walks or playtime. Be sure to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Early mornings (before 10 a.m.) or late evenings (after 5 p.m.)—when temperatures are lower—are ideal for walks or playtime.

Hot pavement can burn paw pads, so opt for walking on grassy areas. Consider using paw wax or booties to shield sensitive paws from hot pavement, rocks or sand that can cause burns and blisters. If you cannot hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five to 10 seconds, the pavement is too hot for your pet.

Make sure your pets have plenty of shade
If your pet spends any time outside, be sure it has plenty of shade so he or she can get out of the sun. This is where the ground or grass will be coolest—under a tree, an umbrella, or a simple, open structure. Do not tie or restrain the pet so that it cannot move between shady spots as needed.

If it is really hot and humid, bring your pet indoors and into air-conditioned areas.

Never leave your pet in a locked car
No matter what, even if you think you will be away from the car for just a few minutes, do not leave your pet unattended in a parked car. The car can absorb enough energy within minutes to become a death mobile. A cracked window or two is not enough to prevent heatstroke when it’s hot, or even warm. It is also not enough to park in the shade on a hot day and leave all the windows and even sunroof open.

While weather in the 70s may seem harmless, a Stanford study showed that in just an hour, a car’s temperature rose to 116 degrees internally when left out in 72-degree heat. It is not recommended to leave the air conditioner running in a car for your pet. Oftentimes the air conditioner malfunctions, leading to overheating inside the vehicle.

Heatstroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect pets when they are exposed to high temperatures and excessive heat. Dogs and cats cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as humans, making them more susceptible to heatstroke. It can occur in as little as 10-15 minutes, especially in hot and humid environments or when an animal is left in a parked car.

Symptoms of heatstroke in pets include excessive panting, drooling, rapid breathing, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and collapse. It is crucial to act quickly if you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke. Move them to a cool and shaded area, offer fresh water, and use cool (not cold) water or damp towels to gradually lower their body temperature.

Then take the pet directly to an emergency veterinary clinic. Heat stroke can be fatal and can come on very quickly, so it’s best not to take any chances.

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