Communities Foundation of Texas will mark "North Texas Giving Day" Thursday with 3,000 organizations participating in the event to drive donations.
North Texas Giving Day started Sept. 1 and has already raised $17 million with a goal of $60 million.
To raise awareness, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity held a building event at a lot in southern Dallas.
"We're not giving anything out, we're giving a hand up," says Dallas Habitat Chief Executive Ashley Brundage. "We're helping them into that first home so they can build wealth for their family."
Families who receive homes through Habitat for Humanity must participate in the building process. They will also go through financial training classes, and counseling and learn how to make repairs.
Wednesday, 40 volunteers from Richardson-based Lennox joined the build.
"It's great for the community, it's great for employees, good for team-building," says Chief Executive Alok Maskara. "It's also good for us to see how a home gets constructed."
Maskara says Lennox can follow the construction process to see the best places to set up indoor and outdoor equipment for HVAC units, and the best way to mount them.
Maskara says employees often volunteer because they enjoy getting to know families putting in "sweat equity" as they help to build their own homes. He says these projects also help cities like Dallas by clearing empty lots.
"That is great for the city," he says. "There are a lot of property taxes that get paid, and as people do well and build their own equity in the house, that's a great piece for them, too."
More information about Dallas Habitat for Humanity is available at https://dallasareahabitat.org/. Information about nonprofits participating in North Texas Giving Day can be found at https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/
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