Dallas Stars Foundation Distributes Grants To North Texas Children's Charities

The Dallas Stars announced this afternoon that they've issued their annual grants to charities. They were able to issue grants in the amount of $186,350 to more than 20 organizations locally aimed at helping area children with anything from medical care to social issues.

"The Dallas Stars Foundation's most rewarding activity is being able to make a positive difference in children's lives and provide them life-impacting opportunities they would otherwise not have," states Lora Farris, executive director of the Dallas Stars Foundation.

"Through donations made by Dallas Stars players and season ticket holders via the community tickets program, over $76,000 in tickets were donated for children and active military personnel to attend games. The Dallas Stars Foundation supports fundraising through an annual Casino Night, in-game auctions and memorabilia sales, mystery pucks, player calendars, video board message sales, theme nights and individual contributions."

Pat yourself on the back if you've contributed to any of these endeavors, and please continue to do so. We're not usually a web site to just recycle press releases, but having spent more of my year than I'd have liked at children's hospitals and various medical facilities with my daughter I feel this is a good spot to give the Dallas Stars a big high-five. There's little worse than sick or disadvantaged kids.

You can read a history of what the Dallas Stars Foundation has done at the Stars web site here.

Previously on DBD in May Taylor covered the opening of a new playground for a homeless shelter: "Dallas Stars Help Build Playground For Homeless Shelter."

The full press release including all of the wonderful charities the Stars were able to help this year is after the jump...

From the Stars...

Frisco, TX - The Dallas Stars Foundation has issued its annual grants in the amount of $186,350 to more than 20 local nonprofit organizations serving children in the North Texas area. The funds will be used for a wide array of worthy causes such as crisis intervention, family support, educational and social issues, as well as medical and other basic needs for disadvantaged youth. The Foundation has awarded over $3.67 million to local children's charities since 1998. "The Dallas Stars Foundation's most rewarding activity is being able to make a positive difference in children's lives and provide them life-impacting opportunities they would otherwise not have," states Lora Farris, executive director of the Dallas Stars Foundation.

Those receiving grants are: BRIDGE Lacrosse Dallas, Buckner Children and Family Services, Children's Medical Center at Legacy, Community Partners of Dallas, Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, Dallas Stars Elite Hockey Club, Flashes of Hope, Genesis Women's Shelter, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Heroes for Children, H.O.P.E. Tutoring Center, Irving Cares, Jubilee Park & Community Center, Kidney Texas, Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship, North Texas Food Bank, Phoenix House of Texas, Promise House, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Voice of Hope.

The Dallas Stars Foundation will also contribute $25,000 in backpacks for back-to-school programs to the following organizations: Christian Community Action, Dallas LIFE, GRACE and Shared Housing Center. In partnership with the Pro Players Foundation, which assists disadvantaged youth in the North Texas area, the Dallas Stars Foundation will contribute towards a new playground for Hope's Door, a shelter and counseling center for individuals and families impacted by domestic abuse. The playground is slated to be completed in fall 2012.

In addition to the annual grant distribution program, the Dallas Stars Foundation made in-kind and monetary donations to over 1,000 different organizations including schools, non-profit organizations and sports related programs. The Dallas Stars actively participated in 53 various fundraising and community events including player, alumni and coach appearances and educational promotion, which totaled 450 hours volunteered. Through donations made by Dallas Stars players and season ticket holders via the community tickets program, over $76,000 in tickets were donated for children and active military personnel to attend games. The Dallas Stars Foundation supports fundraising through an annual Casino Night, in-game auctions and memorabilia sales, mystery pucks, player calendars, video board message sales, theme nights and individual contributions.

The Foundation will host a reception later this summer to celebrate the nonprofit programs supported.
Annual report link

About the Dallas Stars Foundation: The Dallas Stars Foundation was established to serve as a positive force throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The Foundation focuses its efforts on providing support to the children of the community so they may lead quality lives and develop into contributing members of society. Through teamwork, interaction, and education, the Dallas Stars Foundation works to bring together all members of the Metroplex and build a bright future for today's youth. For more information about the Dallas Stars Foundation, visit: www.DallasStars.com or call, Lora Farris, executive director, 214-387-5528