Giving

Charities we support

Giving is the most important act any of us can do. Utilizing our time and/or resources, we can all do our part to better mankind and protect our planet. And when we work together, we can accomplish even more! As Queen Elizabeth II said, “Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.”

We are frequently asked which charities we support and why. Below you’ll find a list of amazing organizations that change the world in powerful ways, one ordinary miracle at a time.

Live well,
Jathan & Heather

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Big Brothers/Big Sisters
bbbs.org
Started more than 100 years ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters is America’s oldest mentoring organization. Today, through professionally supported one-on-one relationships, community volunteers help children gain confidence, avoid risky behavior, and dream big.

Buttonwood Park Zoo
bpzoo.org
Established in 1894, Buttonwood Park Zoo is the 12th oldest zoo in the U.S. and has been called “one of the finest small zoos in the United States” by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo is involved in a number of conservation and research projects involving endangered and threatened species on a global scale. The Buttonwood Park Zoological Society also provides funding for educational programming and organizing family events for the community.

Cal Farley Boys Ranch
calfarley.org
For nearly 80 years, Cal Farley has worked to give at-risk children between 5 and 18 hope for a bright future by nurturing their six human needs—safety, belonging, achievement, power, purpose and adventure. Located just northwest of Amarillo, Texas, its flagship campus offers children from across the country the support and structure they need to build healthy relationships with their families.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
cincinnatizoo.org
Founded in 1873, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the country. But it is much more than an entertainment venue. The zoo creates adventure, shares knowledge and conserves nature through the Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife and a successful captive breeding program that began in the 1880s.

Harvest Regional Food Bank
harvestregionalfoodbank.org
Collecting food from community food drives and through direct donations from local and national businesses, Harvest Regional Food Bank works to alleviate hunger in 10 counties across southwest Arkansas and northeast Texas. The organization also hosts special fundraising events such as the Taste of Texarkana, held each fall.

National Parks Conservation Association
npca.org
We love visiting our national parks! From Yellowstone to the Cape Cod National Seashore, these havens preserve the most beautiful places and natural habitats of countless animal and plant species for our benefit. But years of poor funding have left every one of our national parks with a backlog of critical repairs and essential maintenance. That’s why NPCA raises the funds necessary to help restore these important resources for the future.

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”—Maya Angelou

The Nature Conservancy
nature.org
Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization and works to conserve the lands and waters all life depends on. With a diverse staff which includes more than 600 scientists in 69 countries, they work with individuals, governments, local nonprofits and private corporations to educate and preserve our planet. We love visiting the places they work to protect, like the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve in New Mexico and the Sandy Neck Preserve in Massachusetts.

North Texas Food Bank
ntfb.org
Established in 1982 in Plano, Texas, the North Texas Food Bank distributes donated, purchased, and prepared foods through a network of nearly 1,000 feeding programs and 262 partner agencies in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, seniors, and families through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Today they are a certified member of the Feeding America Food Bank Network.

Oceana
oceana.org
Since it was founded in 2001, Oceana has worked diligently to exclusively protect and restore more than one million square miles of ocean, something no other organization has done on a global scale. They seek to return Earth’s oceans to the vibrant places of rich, healthy, abundant life they once were. This is vital to our survival, especially since oceans cover 71 percent of our planet!

Runnin’ WJ Ranch
runninwjranch.org
Located in Texarkana, Texas, Runnin’ WJ Ranch has offered therapeutic riding to children ages four and older since 2001. Horseback riding benefits individuals physically, mentally, emotionally and socially, helping riders grow and achieve their independent potential.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
stjude.org
Danny Thomas opened the doors to St. Jude in 1962 because he believed that “no child should die in the dawn of life.” Since then, the organization has worked diligently to advance cures and prevention of catastrophic pediatric diseases, freely sharing its knowledge around the globe. Best of all, none of the hospital’s patients or their families ever receives a bill for treatment.

Is there a charity missing from our list that you think we should know about? Contact us and tell us about it! Be sure to let us know how to contact the organization and why it means so much to you!

“A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.”—Henrik Ibsen