Giving back

One-day fundraising blitz aids North Texas nonprofits reeling from coronavirus impact

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Singer-songwriter Sara Hickman will give a special virtual concert to benefit Arlington's Levitt Pavilion.

UPDATE: North Texas Giving Tuesday Now raised $20.7 million for more than 2,500 area nonprofits. Another $21.8 million was raised by specific COVID-19 relief funds, the organizers announced on May 6.

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The spirit of generosity is alive in North Texas, with residents from Fort Worth to Forney supporting businesses and individuals most impacted by the coronavirus crisis. On Tuesday, May 5, a community-wide campaign will show special love to struggling Dallas-Fort Worth nonprofits.

North Texas Giving Tuesday Now is an online fundraising event to help nonprofits faced with extraordinary challenges due to the pandemic. Organized by the United Way, the Dallas Cowboys, and Communities Foundation of Texas' North Texas Giving Day, the one-day campaign will last from 6 am to midnight May 5. Gifts can be scheduled in advance.

"Our greatest asset in an unprecedented time is each other," the organizations say on the website. "With many nonprofits seeing an increase in demand for critical services and cancellations of in-person fundraising opportunities, all charitable organizations, including North Texas nonprofit organizations, are reeling from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic."

More than 3,000 nonprofits of every stripe — food banks, theaters, museums, parochial schools, homeless shelters, veterans' causes, even wildlife rescues — will be participating in the virtual fundraiser.

Donors simply search the website for their favorite nonprofit or browse the 21 cause areas until they find one they like. They can make a secure, one-time donation through the site and create a "FUNdraising page" to rally support from others.

The #GivingTuesdayNow effort will get a celebrity boost from “The Concert for North Texas Giving Tuesday Now,” hosted by singer Caroline Kraddick, airing on CBS 11 from 6:30-7 pm May 5. Performers include Ryan Cabrera, Jason and Michael Castro, Josh Abbott, Jaret Reddick, and more. There will be a special message from the Dallas Cowboys.

Special events
But, wait. There's more.

Many organizations will hold their own special events and campaigns to help generate support. Here's a sampling of what they're doing:

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation has teamed up with the Levitt Pavilion for a day of free live-streaming music. Beginning at 11 am, performers taking the stage include Brad Russell Band, September Moon, Latin Express, Steve Helms, and award-winning singer/songwriter Sara Hickman (at 7 pm). The shows will be live-streamed through the Levitt's Facebook page. For the Arlington concert venue, the emergency campaign will provide critical funds to help them keep bringing patrons free music.

In honor of North Texas Giving Tuesday Now, Theatre Three is hosting a free livestream on Facebook of award-winning local playwright Matt Lyle's new work. The working reading, featuring local actors, will also have the playwright and director (Jeffrey Schmidt) answer questions and participate in discussion during the reading. It takes place at 7 pm. For more information about the play, go here.

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity will host a virtual Home Sweet Home event with special guest Kellie Rasberry, host of the Kidd Kraddick radio show on 106.1 Kiss FM. At 11 am, guests who purchase a $75 "ticket" will get to take a virtual peek around Rasberry's house as she talks about what "home sweet home" means to her. Gifts received from the event will help provide mortgage relief for a growing number of Habitat homeowners who are experiencing job loss or job interruption due to COVID-19.

The Arts Foundation of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano will host a livestream-only concert featuring local artists, beginning at 10 am. It will benefit The Storehouse of Collin County and will feature performances by Imperial Brass; Chris Widomski, saxophone; Ladies Liberty Show Troupe; Yumiko Endo Schlaffer, harp; Kaylyn Wilson, soprano; Noah Bales, tenor; Michael Agnew, spoken word; Megan Koch, soprano; Lucik Aprahamian, mezzo-soprano; and Martha Walvoord, violin. Additionally, Krista Miller, a visual artist, will paint a custom piece live to be auctioned at the conclusion to also benefit The Storehouse.

“The Storehouse has seen more than a 100 percent increase in neighbors needing food and relies on funding to purchase items from the North Texas Food Bank, says foundation director Jonathan Gregoire. "This telethon-style fundraiser is designed to help The Storehouse serve an increasing number of neighbors in need.”

To raise an additional $6 million needed to meet increased demand related to COVID-19, The Salvation Army of North Texas has secured an anonymous $250,000 matching gift for #GivingTuesdayNow to prompt donations to support families in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis and Tarrant counties that are experiencing a loss in income.

“We recognize that times are tough and people may not have a lot to give," says Major Barbara Rich, Salvation Army's area commander. "Thanks to a very generous matching gift, what we receive on #GivingTuesdayNow will be amplified exponentially, and our plans to not turn anyone away will remain intact.”

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Police News

Fort Worth police officer fired for unjustified use of force

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A Fort Worth police officer has been terminated following his involvement in a use of force incident. According to a release, Officer Matthew Krueger was let go on December 18, following an investigation into an incident involving someone who was videotaping his actions while he was on duty.

On Sunday, June 23, Fort Worth police officers responded to a hit-and-run collision near 1000 Foch St. The incident involved a suspected intoxicated driver who crashed into another vehicle and a structure before fleeing the scene on foot.

While officers were investigating, a woman approached them and used her cell phone to record their actions. Krueger asked and advised her multiple times to move across the street. When she failed to comply, she was placed under arrest.

During the arrest, Krueger used force to take the woman into custody, resulting in injuries that required medical care at an area hospital.

After being treated, the woman was released from the hospital, booked into jail, and charged with interference with public duties, resisting arrest and/or detention, evading arrest, and making a false alarm or report.

Krueger had been with the department for just under eight years and was assigned to the Patrol Bureau at the time of the incident.

The Fort Worth Police Major Case and Internal Affairs Units began immediate and congruent investigations. Krueger was transferred from Patrol to a unit with no public interaction, pending the outcome of the investigation.

After a review of the Internal Affairs investigation, Krueger’s chain of command determined that the level of force used was unjustified and violated departmental policy. Police Chief Neil Noakes concurred and terminated Krueger’s employment.

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