Latest news with #EastTexasGivingDay
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
$3.48 million raised for local nonprofits on East Texas Giving Day
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — East Texas Giving Day raised $3.48 million for local nonprofits this year. East Texas Women: Meet Pets Fur People's new executive director who's working to find animals forever homes 'Nonprofit organizations spent countless hours getting the word out about the needs facing our region. Donors across East Texas responded generously to meet the call. It's a community effort we can all be proud of,' President of East Texas Communities Foundation, Kyle Penney said. People were able to choose between 300 different nonprofits to donate starting at $10. According to officials, $3.48 million was raised this year and since 2016, East Texas Giving Day has collectively raised $20.8 million. Northeast Texas Community College Foundation raised $557,534 and Smith County's Breckenridge Village of Tyler secured $263,375 for second place. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nonprofit gifts RV to unhoused veteran in Tyler
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – A 5013c non-profit organization called RVs 4 Heroes presented its first RV to an unhoused veteran in Tyler in honor of East Texas Giving Day on Tuesday. Camp V holds BBQ cook-off to celebrate East Texas Giving Day RVs 4 Heroes began its mission to provide housing to veterans in October of 2024. The nonprofit organization refurbishes donated recreational vehicles to gift to veterans in need. Their mission is only made possible through monetary donations and time from volunteers. 'We make it to the point where it is indeed ready to be lived in as a home full time. So everything in there that they need like pots and pans and dishes, bedding, and all that is all in there for the veteran already so that they can really get a good start,' RVs 4 Heroes president Vee Clark said. On Tuesday, the organization gifted an RV to Michael Lougheed who served in the United States Army for more than a decade. Since December of 2024, Lougheed has struggled to acclimate back to civilian life and has been unhoused until he learned that he was the recipient of a newly refurbished recreational vehicle. U.S. Veteran given free roof by East Texas company 'This will definitely change my life because it will be able to put me back on my feet and really motivate me to set me forward and like I said to be an asset to Tyler and Smith County,' Lougheed said. The veteran focused nonprofit organization has a goal of gifting 24 RVs to struggling veterans in the East Texas area this year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer visit the RVs 4 Heroes website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Patrick thanks Sen. Hughes following ‘Life of the Mother Act' passage
AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a statement on Tuesday regarding the Texas Senate's unanimous passage of East Texas Senator Bryan Hughes's Senate Bill 31. Bethesda Pediatrics provides affordable healthcare thanks to East Texas Giving Day Senate Bill 31, which is known as the Life of the Mother Act, explains the current law against abortions and clears up the definition of 'life threatening' to physicians. The bill helps clarify the proper practice of treating a pregnant woman who is at risk of death or suffering damage to a major bodily function. 'Since 2021, abortions in Texas have essentially ceased, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. 'As a Christian and a conservative, I celebrate that tens of thousands of tiny Texans have been saved and that Texas has led the way in protecting life nationwide. SB 31, which is only designed to provide legal clarity for doctors in rare cases when a mother's life is threatened, is supported by Texas Right to Life, Texas Alliance for Life, and other life groups. I thank Sen. Hughes for his continued passionate defense of life.' Camp V holds BBQ cook-off to celebrate East Texas Giving Day Next, the Texas House of Representatives will have to pass their version of the bill, HB 44, before the act can advance to Governor Greg Abbott's desk to be signed into law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department adds first new Wildlife Management Area in 20 years
AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) — On Monday, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the creation of its first Wildlife Management Area in two decades. Camp V holds BBQ cook-off to celebrate East Texas Giving Day The new 6,900-acre property in Anderson County will be known as the Trinity River Wildlife Management Area. The Trinity River WMA is apart of the Middle Trinity River Ecosystem Project that protects over 38,000 acres of land in East Texas and this property adds 11.3 miles of Trinity River frontage. 'The establishment of the Trinity River WMA presents an opportunity for the conservation and management of an ecologically unique an important habitat,' TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz said. 'Partnerships with organizations like the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Knobloch Family Foundation make historic land purchases like this possible.' Finn's Friends celebrates opening of new headquarters in Longview The reason the Trinity River needs restoration is the lack of trees which allows flood water to pick up more sediment causing erosion, according to Richland Creek Wildlife Area Manager Matt Symmank. When a forested area has more trees, water flows downstream at a slower pace. This lets existing soil stay in place and natural sediment deposition can occur. This restoration of the Trinity River forest floodplain creates more natural and healthy ecosystems. The TWPD will also work with partners to fund habitat and prairie restoration that benefits many species including butterflies, shorebirds, waterfowl and more. The late Jackie Gragg enjoyed looking at dogwood trees near the Gus Engeling WMA and she wanted her land to be managed and protected in a similar way. Gragg's family, who owned the land that would become the Trinity River WMA, worked with TPWD staff to make her dream come alive. $10 million in Migratory Game Bird Stamp Funds were appropriated to TPWD for NWAs during the 88th legislation which helped protect the property. Nursing professor, fitness instructor creates workout program to help East Texans living with Parkinson's disease 'The 88th Legislature's appropriation of Migratory Game Bird Stamp Funds has allowed TPWD to conserve more lands and bring greater access to even more Texans,' TPWD Wildlife Division Director Alan Cain said. For more information about WMA's managed by TPWD, visit: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bethesda Pediatrics provides affordable healthcare thanks to East Texas Giving Day
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – In a span of under 24 hours, East Texas Giving Day gives local nonprofits the opportunity to raise thousands of dollars. Bethesda Health Clinic shares services they offer 'Last year, our generous community gifted us over $100,000 on East Texas Giving Day, which was so amazing and humbling,' Medical Director of Bethesda Pediatrics Danny Price said. East Texas Giving Day donations from 2024 allowed Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler to see and take care of East Texas patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Bethesda Clinic medical director Danni Price said the gift of donations is what helps keep the place running. 'It's literally the gifts and donations of our local friends that keep our lights on and pay our bills,' Price said. East Texas Giving Day funds allow Bethesda to see patients in their pediatric and adult clinics while also offering counseling and dental visits. 'This year, we've set our sights higher at 150,000,' Price said. 'We really think that we can do that thanks to a $50,000 match.' These funds also allow Bethesda to have more resources to help their patients, but East Texas Giving Day isn't just helping at the clinic, it's helping more than 362 local organizations. 'What we've seen year in and year out is our nonprofits really appreciate the opportunity to participate in this,' President and CEO of East Texas Communities Foundation Kyle Penney said. 'And it allows them to attract people that no other type of event can allow them to attract.' While giving can normally be a private or quiet event, East Texas Giving Day asks everyone to share their contributions. 2025 East Texas Giving Day: Bethesda Health Clinic 'It's that viral nature of a giving event like this that helps introduce new people to charities they've never heard about before and allows them opportunity to support them as well,' Penney said. East Texans sharing their donations is important for East Texas Giving Day so people can go to their website and learn about the different organizations in the area, like Bethesda Health Clinic. 'It's really been an amazing thing to see how generous and supportive our Tyler and East Texas community is,' Price said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
