Freedom Day 2012
More than 500 Corporate Citizens “Invest” in Education
On September 11th, the Entrepreneurs For North Texas (EFNT) hosted its eleventh annual Freedom Day, bringing together more than 500 corporate citizens from 48 North Texas companies to honor the lives lost and changed in 2001.
This year, EFNT partnered with the City of Dallas’ GrowSouth Initiative to make a transformational impact at Sarah Zumwalt Middle School, which is situated among the highest poverty stricken neighborhoods in one of the highest crime areas in Dallas.
After eating some breakfast, meeting cool people in EFNT’s network, being inspired by our featured speakers, DISD Superintendant Mike Miles, Principal Verna Farmer and event Chairman Sunny Nunan, volunteers hit the ground running. By the end of the day, and after investing more than 3,600 hours of community service, the plain white walls throughout the school reflected school colors, inspiring words and a roaring image of the school mascot. The teachers’ lounges were transformed and the multi-purpose room became a more welcoming and usable space. Additionally, a few other things besides sweat equity were given to the school including two flat screen televisions, two washer/dryers, a years’ supply of detergent and softener, and – are you sitting down? A room full of fitness equipment! The supplies, furniture and fitness equipment was valued at a total of more than $124,000.
While volunteers provided the school’s well-deserved makeover, sponsors Communities Foundation of Texas and D CEO facilitated a field trip for the 650+ Zumwalt students at the Studio Movie Grill where they learned about “Character, College and Career” and heard inspiring words from Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings.
We want to thank our major event sponsors Hunt Consolidated Investments, the Boone Pickens Foundation, a Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas, Optimal Solutions, Mutual Capital Alliance, Executives in Action and Communities Foundation of Texas as well as the other generous sponsors including Chris and Ashlee Kleinert, Silicon Valley Bank, Ernst & Young, TravisWolff, Telligent, Keste, the Craig & Kathryn Hall Foundation, Patrick and Natalie Brant and D CEO. Thank you also to our In-kind donors Corner Bakery Café, Jersey Mike’s Subs, D CEO, Paciugo Gelato, Fitco, the Home Depot – Lemmon Avenue, Hail Merry Snacks, Snap the Picture, Best Maid Pickles, Photomatic, Billingsley Company, Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association and One Art Director.
Our sincere appreciation goes to all of you for spending September 11th with us, for showing the young student of Zumwalt Middle School that you care about their success in life, and for all that you do to strengthen EFNT’s network of good corporate citizens.
Since Freedom Day's inception, EFNT Member Companies have provided more than 20,000 hours of service to important nonprofits including Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, the Innercity Community Development Corporation, the African American Museum, Texas Trees Foundation, Dallas Fire-Rescue, Innerfaith Housing Coalition, Park South Family YMCA, Juliette Fowler Homes, City Square, Camp Summit and Catholic Charities.