Heart of Dallas, a new nonprofit organization that hosts sports and entertainment events benefiting Dallas charities, successfully held the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl Game on New Year’s Day at historic Cotton Bowl Stadium. The bowl game was Heart of Dallas’ inaugural event and raised $100,000 for the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA).
Heart of Dallas presented its first check for $50,000 to MDHA on Oct. 4 and committed to matching an additional $50,000 by kickoff yesterday. Funds raised will support MDHA’s plans to provide homes to 225 individuals and families in early 2013. MDHA works with its 53 member agencies to provide housing, shelter and basic necessities to prevent and end homelessness.
“As the fifth largest city in the country, Dallas has an opportunity right now to end chronic homelessness,” said MDHA President and CEO Mike Faenza. “MDHA leads community planning and leverages philanthropic dollars to fight and resolve this issue and we appreciate Heart of Dallas’ support and how they’ve elevated this issue in our city.”
The bowl game came to life with the vision of Conference USA Commissioner and Heart of Dallas Founder Britton Banowsky, along with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Big Ten Conference Commissioner Jim Delany.
“Dallasites are committed to improving our city, and what better way to leverage our world-class sports and entertainment events than through philanthropy,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings.
By staging “must-attend” sports and entertainment programming, Heart of Dallas hopes to raise community consciousness of compelling causes and to inspire Dallas millennials to become the next generation of influencers and philanthropists.
The 2013 lineup for Heart of Dallas also includes a spring concert at the Dallas Cup, a fall concert series downtown, and a fall football game — the Heart of Dallas Classic — in conjunction with opening weekend of the State Fair of Texas®. Army and Louisiana Tech will faceoff on Sept. 28 at Cotton Bowl Stadium, and the Fair will honor the armed forces that day.
“Heart of Dallas is a way for our city to showcase its sports and entertainment for the benefit of those in need right here in our community,” said Britton Banowsky, Heart of Dallas Founder and commissioner of Conference USA. “We are thrilled to donate $100,000 in total to MDHA, and truly appreciate game attendees, Mayor Rawlings and our corporate sponsors for their support.”
“We thoroughly enjoyed being part of this unique philanthropic platform and helping organizations in the community who are committed to ending homelessness,” said PlainsCapital Bank Turtle Creek President Ronnie Berg. “PlainsCapital Bank is passionate about making a difference in the community and giving back to the areas we serve.”
Oklahoma State beat Purdue 58-14 with a crowd of 48,313 college football fans.
For more information, visit theheartofdallas.org.
Heart of Dallas is a new nonprofit organization that hosts sports and entertainment events benefitting Dallas charities. It exists to spur bold social change and to inspire the next generation of Dallas influencers and philanthropists. Find out more at TheHeartofDallas.org, or check out our Facebook page.
