By Rita Cook
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
GARLAND – Hope Clinic of Garland Executive Director Tanya Downing wears many hats.
From talking with her for about an hour it is easy to see the hat she enjoys most is the one where she is giving happiness and hope to those who have the good luck to get caught in her orbit.
Hope Clinic now in its 24th year offers a holistic approach to health care with “Christ-centered support free-of-charge” in Dallas County.
The clinic was part of this year’s North Texas Giving Day for the fourth year.
The overall North Texas Giving day numbers resulted in more than 94,000 people donating during this event now in its 17th year. There was $74.2 million raised for 3,500 nonprofits representing causes from education, health, and social services, to arts, the environment, and animal welfare.
“North Texans once again showed the extraordinary power of collective generosity,” said Wayne White, President and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas. “The need in our community this year is great, with many nonprofits in our region having experienced unexpected funding changes. Thanks to individuals, families, and businesses giving back in record-breaking ways, North Texas Giving Day is helping meet that need.”
Hope Clinic was part of the 38 nonprofits who participated in Garland for in North Texas Giving Day this year.
Downing said “Giving Day is a chance for people in North Texas to give to non-profits. We participate because it allows us to have a voice on that platform and highlight what we do in the Garland area. For the past two years we have partnered with other Garland non-profits to create a push in the community asking for support with these six non-profits show unity in the city.”
As the holidays approach, Downing is full of appreciation since last week Hope Clinic had its fourth annual turkey distribution.
“Thanks to Atmos Energy, we gave away approximately 200 turkeys,” Downing said. “Walmart donated the nice blue bags for us to use too.”
And while it was a chilly morning, the Turkey giveaway was a success.
Next up, Hope Clinic will have its Christmas Toy Drive on Thurs. Dec. 18. from 9 to 11 a.m. Donations are being accepted now and they are asking for tricycles, bicycles, helmets, and toys.
The clinic is in Garland on S. Sixth Street inside a 5,400 square-foot clinic that includes five examination rooms, triage area, laboratory, spiritual care room, doctor’s office and a health education room. The building was financed through a history-making capital campaign that left Hope Clinic debt-free and with long-term growth capacity.
Downing has been the Executive Director at Hope Clinic for four years in February.
She describes herself as a fundraiser by heart and all about building relationships and making connections in the community.
“That is my gift,” she said. “Hope Clinic spoke to my heart.”
She said she has always fundraised in the health care sector and before Hope Clinic she was at Texas Health Resources, the American Cancer Society and the American College of Emergency Physicians.
“I think North Texas Giving Day is an opportunity for the community to support non-profits and to learn more about small nonprofit organizations like Hope Clinic in Garland,” Downing concluded. “Not just to learn but support the smaller organizations too. We often do not have the money and capacity to do all the marketing opportunities so North Texas Giving Day spotlights the smaller nonprofits like us.”
This year featured a record-breaking number of participating nonprofits in the North Texas Giving Day program’s 17-year history. The total raised since its inception is now $710 million, cementing the community’s long-standing dedication to making a difference in support of thousands of nonprofits across the region.
As the largest regional fundraising event in the nation, North Texas Giving Day empowers every person to give back to their community by supporting local nonprofits through donations.
Here are some city breakdowns by the numbers.
DeSoto: $118,690.28 raised across 29 nonprofits based in Desoto.
Garland: $245,608.94 raised across 38 nonprofits based in Garland.Hutchins: $25,625.00 raised across 3 nonprofits based in Hutchins.
Lancaster: $2,050.00 raised across 5 nonprofits based in Lancaster.
Mesquite: $81,820.00 raised across 15 nonprofits based in Mesquite.
Seagoville: $17,464.00 raised by one nonprofit based in Seagoville – (Oak Hill Animal Rescue)
Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced low-budget films.
