In just a few short days, our members will gather with many of our community's philanthropic leaders to recognize the accomplishments and generosity of this year's NPD award recipients and to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of AFP. I would like to take this occasion to applaud Diana Marquis, Tanya Downing, Rebecca Rhule and their colleagues who have served on the NPD Luncheon Committee. Together these volunteers have devoted countless hours to ensure that this year's event is not just a financial success, but also one that has us all reaching for the stars, recognizing the lasting effect that philanthropy has on the quality of life in our community.

Recently, the media has run a series of stories highlighting the challenges faced by many local organizations. As we begin to prepare for Thanksgiving, I prefer to see the glass as half full. Our National Philanthropy Day highlights, for instance, how AT&T's move to Dallas made an impact in the arts and in education. Last year, the telecom giant donated $500,000 to the Dallas Public Library to open several teen centers. The Outstanding Philanthropists Award this year goes to the Hallam Family Foundation, in recognition to their extraordinary commitment to the arts, particularly the ATT Performing Arts Center. 

As I talk to colleagues around the country, I realize that we are extremely fortunate to live and work in North Texas. Sure, we have our share of problems, but the can do spirit of our forefathers endures. Brent Christopher recently shared with me some astounding statistics to demonstrate this point. On North Texas Giving Day, donors gave more than $5,000,000 in just twelve hours, an increase of $1,000,000 from last year!  Over 7,900 individual gifts were made to 500 separate non-profits.  While the economy may still be rocky, our citizens recognize existing needs and do not hesitate to share their treasure to provide essential services, as well as giving to projects that shape our skyline and provide cultural enrichment and entertainment.

As my term as president winds down, I would like to appeal to you, if you have not already done so, to go to www.afpdallas.org/afp-now.asp and contribute to AFP Now, our Chapter's annual campaign. In previous years when we gave to the national Every Member Campaign, a large percentage of every contribution went to the AFP Foundation. AFP NOW is different. Seventy percent of each donated dollar will stay in the Dallas Chapter. Last week at our monthly luncheon, I expressed disappointment that less than 25% of our membership has made a gift to date, and I appealed to the luncheon guests to reconsider. Many did.  Today, I ask you to do the same so our Chapter will have the capacity to excel by offering fundraising professionals the valuable services and benefits they deserve.

See you on November 12^th!