The Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation for Grand Prairie, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, awarded $60,000 to 14 Grand Prairie, Texas charities March 7 during a ceremony at Lone Star Park.Charities chosen to share in the award were Boy Scouts of America/Circle Ten Council; Brighter Tomorrows; Children First Counseling Center; Deloach Kidz; Disabled American Veterans; Grand Prairie Chapter 42; Grand Prairie Arts Council; Grand Prairie Boys and Girls Club; Grand Prairie Food and Clothing Co-Operative; Grand Prairie Pride Special Olympics; Grand Prairie United Charities; Grand Prairie Wellness Center; Grand Prairie YMCA; KIDS in Need of Clothing; and LifeLine Shelter for Families. "It's extremely gratifying to recognize the fine work of non-profit organizations and charities in Grand Prairie," said Lone Star Park president Corey Johnsen. "Over the past four years, we've established a firm track record of giving back to the community with more than $280,000 in total gifts, and we look forward to continuing our efforts with two major fundraising events in 2006."
The first of two Lone Star Charitable Foundation fundraising events this year will take place April 12, the night before the track begins its spring season, when one of its top trainers and a Grand Prairie native, Bret Calhoun, will be honored at a welcome back party. The other event will be the 27th Mistletoe Ball, a holiday extravaganza in early December.Funds raised at such events are annually distributed to local non-profit organizations through grant applications at the end of the year.Last year, the rack hosted and assisted in charitable events that raised more than $2 million for Dallas-Fort Worth charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association; American Diabetes Association; Dallas Children's Advocacy; Retina Foundation; Light House for the Blind; Cancer Research Foundation of North Texas; and Dallas Symphony League.