Early giving for North Texas Giving Day started on Sept 1 and many local nonprofits have already started receiving donations.  North Texas Giving Day is an online giving extravaganza for our whole region that is organized by Communities Foundation of Texas. This year, North Texas Giving Day is on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.  Early giving is from September 1-18. More than 3,000 nonprofits are participating in this day, including about a dozen based in Fannin County.  Each nonprofit raises funds to support their mission. The platform makes it simple and easy to give to all your favorite charities! 

Fannin County will be hosting a Community Celebration on North Texas Giving Day (Sept 19) from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Creative Arts Center in Bonham.  This family-friendly event will include free tacos, live music and other fun activities.  Admission is free and folks are strongly encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.

Credit Union of Texas will be giving away free tacos from their food truck from 6:00 -7:30 p.m. or while supplies last.  Kidz Krew, the children and youth theatre program of the Creative Arts Center, will have a small concession stand to help raise funds for their upcoming production “To Be Frank(enstein).”  Items available will include bottled water, canned sodas, chips and desserts.  Neighbors Place Winery will also be on hand, selling wine slushies and wine by the glass.

A dozen local nonprofits will be set up at tables around the garden behind the Creative Arts Center starting at 6:00 p.m.  They will be letting folks know about their missions and be encouraging folks to donate to their favorite charities on the North Texas Giving Day website.  Donations will not only support these local mission efforts, but also help the nonprofits meet matching gift challenges, earn bonus funds and chances to win cash prizes.

The local nonprofits participating include Abiding Fathers, Bonham Education Foundation, Creative Arts Center, Fannin County Children’s Center, Fannin County Family Crisis Center, Fannin County Food Pantry, Fannin Health Clinic, Feeding Fannin, Getting Ahead, Katybugs & Butterflies Foundation, Lucky & Sadie’s Place and Open Arms Shelter. 

The Creative Arts Center will also be kicking off their six-week fall series of Music in the Garden on this day.  The Center is excited to bring back Bonham’s own Jimi Watusi! Jimi has performed with, and opened shows for the biggest names in Reggae music including The Wailers. His shows will have you dancing and singing right along with him. Jimi is bringing a wonderful friend along to play guitar named Kenny Withrow. Kenny's 40-year career had him playing with many great artists, including The New Bohemians.  They have invited Brad Silwood of Bonham to blow his horn. This will be a show that should not be missed.  Music in the Garden will continue weekly at the arts center for a total of six weeks, every Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Free admission. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for the family friendly event at the Creative Arts Center at 200 W. 5th in downtown Bonham.  Make your donations to your favorite charities for North Texas Giving Day online at www.NorthTexasGivingDay.org.