- FROM THE PRESIDENT -

from Denton Benefit League 2023

Texas Health Denton

Denton Benefit League is proud to present the 2023 edition of our annual publication. In honor of our 50th Anniversary, this special edition LOOKBOOK honors the Denton community, our grant recipients, underwriters and financial contributors, and most importantly, our past and present members.

Our members are the foundation of our beloved organization, and I am always inspired by their commitment to volunteering their time and treasure.

As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary our theme has been centered around “Back to School.” In October, we held a tailgate at the University of North Texas Alumni Pavilion. The guests watched football, had BBQ, held a raffle and played games. It was a huge success, and we made some money to give to next year’s grant recipients.

Our annual charity ball will be held at TWU’s Hubbard Hall. This event has been held annually since 1973, with the exception of 2020 and 2021. This year’s theme, PROM with a PURPOSE – 50 years of Caring – Helping – Giving, will focus on celebrating our members and decades in which they have served DBL. It will be a night of nostalgia and recognition, and everyone will be prom queens and kings.

As we wrap up our 50th year, I am honored to report that we have given out over $6.3 million in grants to local nonprofits. We are able to do this because of all of YOU!

Moving forward it is important to note that Denton County is the sixth fastest growing county in the United States. That means that the needs of our community will continue to increase in the coming years, and we will need to raise even more funds to keep up with that growth. This year we had local agencies submit 50 grant applications requesting $431,060.78 to assist in helping those they serve. I believe in the next few years, based on our community’s growth, we will soon approach $1 million.

Our Mission

Board Members: (front) Ellen Sawko, Caryn Riggs; (middle) Carol Rogers, Darien

Orr, Kim Collins, Carolyn Ferguson, Jenifer Fuller, Jackie Jackson, Lynne Edgar; (back) Lindsay Stewart, Ashley Carter, Sara Schroeder, Tanya Blixt, Jessica Mays, Savannah Warren, Erin Key

I am proud to be a member of our beloved Denton community and honored to have served as the DBL President this year. The 2022-23 DBL board has been exceptional in supporting me as well as each other and I feel that lifelong friendships are now in place. My family is so important to me, and they have been my rocks this year. I want to thank my husband Rob, daughters Savannah and Faith, and son-in-law Jonaustin from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank Sam and Jim Bays for their continued support and friendship. I am very lucky to have all of them.

The mission of this organization shall be to raise funds for local philanthropic purposes and to promote volunteerism in the community. This organization shall be nonpolitical, nonsectarian, and nonprofit in all of its policies and activities. Visit www.DentonBenefitLeague.org for more details.

KRYSTAL & JUAN ALVARADO

Krystal and Juan are thrilled to support the Denton Benefit League's 50th year of service to our community! Bayley and Conner McClure, daughter of Krystal and Juan.

KIRKPATRICK ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS

Congratulations to DBL for 50 incredible years of serving the Denton area!

ALAGOOD CARTWRIGHT BURKE PC

Alagood Cartwright Burke PC is happy to support DBL and congratulates them on 50 years of amazing work and support for our community. Here's looking forward to 50 more amazing years!

Southern Stretch Forming

ADAMS EXTERMINATING COMPANY, INC.

ATHLON ADVISORS

Mike Woods and the team at Athlon are proud to support DBL in another great year of service in the community.

SERVE DENTON

Serve Denton thanks the Denton community for their support in winning the 2022 CNM Stakeholder Engagement Award!

TANYA & JOEL BLIXT — DONATED TO DEMENTIA FRIENDLY DENTON COUNTY

DBL makes a difference in our community just like Dementia Friendly Denton County ensures it's safer for those with dementia & Alzheimer's.

Jt Clothiers

JT Clothiers congratulates DBL on 50 years of serving our community and wants to recognize 2023 Liberty Christian graduate Brody Tritt. He is the son of Jimmy Tritt and grandson of Nancy and James Tritt. He plans to attend the Colorado School of Mines in Fall 2023.

THE

Ntx Aesthetics Medical Spa

Allison Engineering Group

SMITTY’S FLOOR COVERING, INC.

PROPERTY SEARCH, LLC

The Bomar Family wants to thank DBL for another amazing year! We are so thankful for all your hard work and generosity.

CARYN & CLAY RIGGS

great work!

With gratitude for James McDade in his giving 10 years of time, talent, and energy in support of Ruth's Room.

Business consulting and coaching to help you leverage your strengths and transform obstacles into opportunities, in the DBL tradition.

The Crouch Group

United Way Of Denton County

IMPRESS GRAPHICS DONATED TO OUR DAILY BREAD

With the help of the Denton Benefit League and other generous donors, our beautiful new facility allows us to assist more homeless guests toward independent living.

IN MEMORIAM: MARCIA MERRITT THE HONORABLE ANDY EADS

RED DOOR OPERATIONS / MELINDA & JAMES KING

JOHN O'DONNELL DONATED TO SERVE DENTON

John appreciates all that DBL grant recipient Serve Denton does for the Denton community. The photograph of the board of directors is by Ian Harber, Communications Director, Serve Denton.

FIRST UNITED BANK & TRUST

At First United Bank, our purpose is to inspire and empower others to spend life wisely. We believe that in order to truly spend life wisely, we must have a balance of faith, financial well-being, health and wellness, and personal growth.

LYNNE & STEVE EDGAR

Steve and Lynne Edgar love two things - the mission of Denton Benefit League and the Horned Frogs!! Congrats Maizey Edgar! TCU '22.

Withers Howell Real Estate Group

REID HEATING & AIR

Reid Heating and Air appreciates the valuable work of Denton Benefit League. Owners Randy and Linda DeGraffenreid celebrate with their grandchildren, Scarlett Reid & Brett Hagen Teague, with their mom and dad, son-in-law, Cory Teague and daughter, Natalie Teague,

Denton Mazda

Unlimited Care

Randy and Linda DeGraffenreid announce the nuptials of their granddaughter, Haley Elizabeth Wilkerson to Levi Cox on May 27, 2022. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and love. Sarah Wilkerson, Mr. & Mrs. Levi Cox, and Rev. Bradley Wilkerson.

Unlimited Care

MINOR & JESTER, P.C.

The attorneys and staff of Minor & Jester, P.C. are pleased to support the good work of Denton Benefit League and their grant recipients. Well done! Pictured left to right: Arturo Ortega, Dianne Landry, Chris Henry, Jill Jester (DBL member), Shannon Jones, and Toni Rivers. Not pictured: Amanda Peachee.