The University of Texas at Dallas received more than $172,000 on North Texas Giving Day, Sept. 21, in support of services that benefit patients, students and programs at the University.
Overall, nearly $63.9 million was received from over 97,000 donors for more than 3,200 nonprofits in North Texas during the one-day event. Sponsored by Communities Foundation of Texas, it is the largest community giving event in the nation.
This year one of the youngest people to give to UT Dallas was 15-year-old Graycie Montfort, who donated $1,300 to the Callier Center for Communication Disorders from proceeds she raised by making and selling hair accessories at craft fairs around her hometown of Corsicana, Texas, and on site at the Callier Center Richardson campus on NTX Giving Day.
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Montfort was an infant when she was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and her parents took her to the Callier Center for evaluation. At the center, she received audiology treatment and speech-language therapy and was soon fitted with hearing aids that she called “super ears.”
“Because of Callier’s treatment and early interventions, Graycie’s hearing is not a factor in her academic or extracurricular success,” said her mom, Jima Montfort. “Callier has enabled Graycie, through her ‘super ears,’ to reach heights we never could have imagined when she was born.”
For Angela Shoup BS’89, MS’92, PhD’94, the Ludwig A. Michael, MD Callier Center Executive Director, donations are evidence of the importance of the clinical services the center provides.
“It means we’re engaging in meaningful work that truly does transform people’s lives,” Shoup said. “When people give to the Callier Center, it is confirmation that our community recognizes the importance of access to care for all individuals and families who are impacted by speech, language and hearing challenges.”
The Callier Center raised more than $111,000 from 120 donors on NTX Giving Day. Shoup said the funds will benefit patients and families in financial need. Donations included a challenge gift from ChandlerSpeaks, a local nonprofit focused on the speech development needs of school-age children that partners with Dallas-Fort Worth speech pathology clinics.
UTD’s Center for BrainHealth received more than $41,000 from 79 donors, including two matching gifts from longtime supporters Linda and Joel Robuck, and Chris and Phil Dial.
Sandra Bond Chapman PhD’86, chief director of the Center for BrainHealth, said NTX Giving Day donations will benefit a program that assists people who are diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, as well as their caregivers, by empowering families through online support and resources.
“We are grateful for the tremendous response we received this year, which will enable us to reach an increasing number of families — breaking barriers, offering hope and supporting those affected by Alzheimer’s to live fulfilling lives beyond the diagnosis,” said Chapman, who is also the Dee Wyly Distinguished University Chair in BrainHealth.
Other donations made during North Texas Giving Day benefit numerous other UTD programs, including the Comet Cupboard, the Center for Children and Families and First-Generation Student Programs.