Volunteering is also a great way to make friends. | Photo by @trinityhabitat
Today is Giving Tuesday, an annual celebration of generosity, and we’ve rounded up 45+ local organizations to support. Whether you’re an animal lover, an outdoorsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast, there’s a nearby volunteer or donation opportunity for you.
Fortress | Volunteer in the organization’s preschool, after-school, summer camps, and adult classes in the Historic Southside.
If you want to be there for abuse victims
Alliance for Children | Help victims of child abuse heal with a coordinated team of healthcare providers, social services + law enforcement agencies.
The Women’s Center | Volunteer at events throughout the year and help support women in crisis situations.
If you have a passion for community members in need
Lighthouse for the Blind | Assist clients with everyday tasks like grocery shopping, translating communication materials, and getting around to appointments.
Fort Worth Community Collaborative | Give time, products, or clothing to the organization that distributes necessities to community members in need.
If you’re interested in healthcare
Gill Children’s Services | Help fulfill the wish lists for Tarrant County children whose medical, dental, physical, social, psychological, or educational needs have not been met by other community resources.
Cook Children’s Health Foundation | Serve in one of the many volunteer opportunities available including the pet therapy program, planning a fundraiser, or school programs.
For the social butterflies
Tarrant Area Food Bank | Pick up a themed shift or get out in the community with mobile distribution events.
United Way of Tarrant County | Send a card to someone in long-term care, teachers, and veterans, or make a t-shirt tote for food distribution.
Pet Vaccines | Tuesday, Nov. 28-Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Chuck Silcox Animal Care & Control Center, 4900 Martin St., Fort Worth | Free | Texas Coalition for Animal Protection will provide free rabies vaccines for your furry friend.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
Twilight Saga Trivia | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Black Dog Retro Arcade, 309 Curtis Mathes Way, Arlington | Free | Wow your friends with your glittering knowledge of sparkly vampires.
Thursday, Nov. 30
Texas Wesleyan University Men’s Basketball | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 7:45-9:45 p.m. | Sid Richardson Center, 1175 Collard St., Fort Worth | Free | Watch the Rams tip-off against UNT Dallas.
Friday, Dec. 1
“Tidings of Great Joy” | Friday, Dec. 1, Sunday, Dec. 3 | 7-8 p.m. | Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU, 2809 Princeton St., Fort Worth | $0-$10 | The TCU Symphony Orchestra, Cantiamo, Concert Chorale, and Frog Corps will perform classic and contemporary carols in the second annual Christmas Festival.
Lauren Daigle | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $35.50-$165.50 | The contemporary Christian singer is bringing “The Kaleidoscope Tour” to Cowtown.
CTL partners with women and families to address the root causes of poverty and abuse, generate sustainable solutions, and create intergenerational cycles of emotional and financial well-being. | Photo provided by Center for Transforming Lives
‘Tis the season for giving.
We recently shared an update about Center for Transforming Lives’ (CTL) new Riverside Campus (set to open November 2024). The project will double the nonprofit’s service capacity, which means more women + children in Tarrant County will have more access to CTL’s services.
Through its Changing the Landscape capital campaign, CTL is looking for support from the community to ensure that Riverside is completed on time.
Making a donation on Giving Tuesday (yes, that’s today) is the easiest way to help them continue their mission and support throughout Fort Worth. Fun fact: In 2022, CTL transformed 3,067 lives through support from the community.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s Concerts in the Garden will take a break in 2024. The annual summer concert series will pause for the construction of a new stage as part of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Master Plan. Stay tuned for a schedule of FWSO community concerts in other locations. (Fort Worth Report)
Civic
The city will switch to a new online procurement platform called Bonfire Interactive in January. All current and future vendors will need to register on the platform in order to procure work with the city. Vendor training sessions will be held tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 30 + Wednesday, Dec. 6.
Announced
Near Southside cafe Leaves Book and Tea Shop is moving to Magnolia. The tea shop will close its store and patio at 120 St Louis Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 16, and will reopen in January inside Stir Crazy Baked Goods at 1251 W. Magnolia Ave.
Ranked
DFW is the second-most festive metro in the United States. A new report by Thumbtack compiled holiday light decorations across the country + Texas topped the list ranking Austin at No. 1, Houston at No. 3, and San Antonio at No. 5.
Theater
Amphibian Stage announced its 2024 season, featuring some interesting opportunities for audience participation — like a séance, gospel-rock concert, and a trip to Oaxaca. The season kicks off on Friday, Feb. 2, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 3. Purchase a membership for exclusive access to mainstage shows, stand-up comic residencies, SparkFest + more.
Number
7000. That’s how many pounds of turkey the Fort Worth Police Department donated to local families this year. The department passed out 600+ Thanksgiving turkeys in the past two weeks. See the holiday spirit in action.
Film
The Modern will screen “Breaking the Code,” an award-winning documentary about the late Vernon Fisher, a local mixed-media artist, on Saturday, Dec. 2. The free screening will take place at 2 p.m. and be followed by a discussion with film director Michael Flanagan and artists Sedrick Huckaby and Linda Ridgway.
Pets
Ever wanted to decode your pet’s DNA? Basepaws’ pet DNA tests provide insights into 300+ dog breeds and 280 health markers — and they’re $85 for Black Friday.*
The downtown Christmas tree officially marks the beginning of the holiday season. | Photo by FTWtoday
The tallest live Christmas tree in Texas now graces Sundance Square ahead of the 77th annual tree lighting tradition on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The 80-ft tall Norway Spruce traveled 1,100 miles from northern Michigan and was raised over the weekend.
Later this week, crews will install lights and hang handmade ornaments created by local artists on the tree.
Join singer Marie Osmond for a holiday concert with the Interfaith Choir at 6:30 p.m. before Mayor Mattie Parker counts down to the tree lighting at 7 p.m.
Sundance Square will unveil the Light the World Texas Giving Machines on Tuesday, Dec. 5, which will accept cashless holiday charity donations from 10 regional and global organizations through Thursday, Dec. 7.
Don’t forget to snap a holiday family photo next to the mirrored cowboy hat — which has been moved to the west side of the square next to the stage.
Fun fact: I love snack cakes and Little Debbie Christmas Tree are my favorites. I’ll definitely be hitting up Morgan’s Ice Cream on South Main Street for a scoop of their holiday flavor.
Don’t let the cooler weather stop you from enjoying a frozen treat and support small businesses who are operating at the end of their annual budget during the holiday season.
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