Work Together

These sporty nonprofits are bringing athletes and inspiration to The Tailgate

Come learn more about sports-related nonprofits.

Merging Vets & Players/Facebook

If you've been psyching yourself up for The Tailgate on October 13, you likely already know what we'll be serving and what you might want to wear.

But a key component of our newest party is shining a spotlight on sports-related nonprofits —and you'll even get to meet some of the athletes that champion these important causes.

Read up on who's going to be there and how you can get involved in their life-changing work:

The Sandlot
The Sandlot Children's Charity provides financial assistance for kids with physical and intellectual disabilities seeking to participate in athletic opportunities and sport-specific experiences. Their goal is to not only help the kids have sporty, healthy fun, but also promote the continued development of social and leadership skills for these inspiring youth.

Two big fans of The Sandlot will be at The Tailgate: Rangers pitcher Taylor Hearn and former MLB pitcher-turned-sports broadcaster Mike Bacsik. They will be signing autographs, posing for pictures, and raffling off two tickets to a Rangers game (date and time to be mutually agreed-upon by winner and The Sandlot).

Merging Vets and Players
MVP empowers combat veterans and former professional athletes by connecting them after the uniform comes off, providing them with a new team to assist with transition, promote personal development, and show them they are never alone.

Through its peer support program, MVP revolves around weekly sessions consisting of physical fitness followed by a post-workout chat named The Huddle, where members come together and recognize earned scars. The Huddle, run by specially trained facilitators, offers support and shared experience in the hope of helping others choose strategies to heal and progress as they navigate life outside the uniform. Members share challenges, struggles, and successes in a trusted environment of support that encourages vulnerability.

MVP coaches the veterans and athletes to be proud of their service and accomplishments and use what they experienced on the battlefield, playing field, and cage to empower them through the transition. "We don't run from mental health challenges; we tackle them as a team," is one of their mottos.

Both veterans and former professional athletes will be manning the four al fresco Tailgate games: cornhole, mini golf, football toss, and ring toss. Donate $25 to MVP and test your skills against these elite athletes, and try your luck at the raffle for a putter and some MVP swag.

Camp Exposure
Camp Exposure is a faith-based, holistic youth development program centered around student athletes. The program provides strategies, tips, and tools to create a concrete foundation both on and off the field. The organization focuses on developing student-athletes through its seven pillars: identity, mental health, spiritual health, nutrition, relationship skills, professional development, and financial literacy. Its athletes learn and develop skills that help them successfully navigate through life’s challenges and transition into the career of their choice.

Photo courtesy of Camp Exposure

Camp Exposure helps student athletes both on and off the field.

Founded by former Dallas Cowboys player Tyler Patmon, Camp Exposure is coming to The Tailgate on behalf of the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation. You'll get the chance to meet and snap pics with Patmon and Dallas Cowboys mascot Rowdy, while also entering the raffle for a special Cowboys item and watching a clip from the nonprofit's upcoming documentary.

Through your donations and support, Camp Exposure will be able to expand its Educational Sports Camps in different sports and cities while also implementing a youth sports league and mentorship program. The end goal is to secure a physical location to become a fully functional student-athlete academy.

How to buy tickets
Fired up to make a difference in your community? Show up to The Tailgate on October 13 at The Empire Room, where delicious food and drink, fun games, and representatives from all these nonprofits will be waiting.

Get your tickets now, and use promo code DONATE to get 50 percent off your ticket price. Plus, CultureMap will donate 100 percent of your ticket purchase back to these participating charities.

sports charity promoted

Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen