Every year, we take a moment to give thanks for the people who make our communities better. It’s an opportunity to pause and remind ourselves of all the good in this world. As always, there are too many people to count and too many initiatives to list. We hope these toasts will get you going, too.
To the North Texas Food Bank and other organizations that feed those in need. In a year where many lost federal assistance and faced uncertainties during the government shutdown, they kept handing out groceries to the most vulnerable. NTFB distributed roughly 10.2 million meals each month in recent months, according to recent news reports. Some local restaurants are helping SNAP recipients by serving as collection centers for donations of basic food and essential items.
To the people from near and far who joined efforts to rescue survivors and recover victims of the Central Texas floods on the Fourth of July, and to everyone who rallied to support them and care for grieving families and friends. Amid tragedy and heartbreak, these souls showed that humans are capable of inexhaustible kindness.
To Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert and the civic leaders who banded together to save Neiman Marcus’ flagship store downtown and negotiate a solution between the store’s parent company and its landlords. Saks Global announced that Neiman’s will stay open past the holiday season, which was in question some months ago. Neiman’s is more than a luxury brand; it’s a symbol of Dallas’ scrappiness and its ascent to major metropolis. This place is special, and so is Dallas’ civic community.
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To the schoolchildren swinging and spinning and climbing on the playground at Main Street Garden. We can hear their chatter and laughter as soon as we walk out of the newspaper’s front entrance, and it brightens the afternoon.
To Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux and what he has accomplished in a short time. DPD has beaten recruitment goals, re-established a strong presence downtown, lowered response times and worked to lower crime throughout the city. Hard work remains to be done, but Comeaux is off to a strong start.
To the educators and lawmakers behind Texas’ cellphone ban in schools. What a joy it is to hear that students are engaged in class and talking to one another at lunch instead of scrolling on their phones. It’s a win for everyone.
To airline workers, security agents, air traffic controllers, bus drivers and the men and women who operate our train systems for keeping our transportation network running and helping travelers get home safely.
To Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and her brand of leadership. In an era when national polarization is taking over local politics, she has avoided partisanship and stayed focused on “getting to yes” for her constituents.
To Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles and his turnaround of Texas’ largest school district. After a state takeover, Houston ISD has gone from 56 F-rated schools to zero. The number of A- and B-rated campuses has more than doubled — from 93 to 197 — meaning three-quarters of Houston students will now attend a top-rated school. Miles told one media outlet, “In Houston ISD, ZIP code no longer equals destiny.”
To school marching bands, jazz bands, orchestras, choirs, quartets, percussion ensembles, accompanists and their ever-so-patient music teachers who help young people master sharps and flats and dotted eighth notes. Most will never become professional musicians, but they learn a valuable lesson: They can only make music together if they listen to one another.
To those who minister to the homeless across North Texas, even while many of us celebrate in the warmth that family, friends and a comfortable house provides. Their service to the least fortunate among us inspires us to find small ways of doing a good turn every day.
To the Downtown Dallas Inc. staffers who work tirelessly to keep our neighborhood clean. Cutting through dirt, grime, litter and every other kind of waste left on our sidewalks and roads and in our parks is grueling work. We shudder to imagine what downtown would be without them.
To the nonprofits and generous donors working to bring joy to children this holiday season through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, Santa’s Helpers with WFAA, the Holiday of Hope program by the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center and others. Every child should have a gift to unwrap on Christmas Day, and we tip our Santa hats to those who help make sure they do.
To the historians, archivists, curators and librarians who research, collect and make accessible artifacts and art ranging from an original copy of the Declaration of Independence (at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library) to World War II aviation training materials and uniforms (at the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum in Terrell) to Jackie Worthington’s 1955 world champion silver belt buckle (at Fort Worth’s National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame).
To police, firefighters, health care workers and others on duty through the holiday, skipping the turkey and the stuffing, to make sure the rest of us are safe and cared for.
To our newsroom colleagues, some of whom are working today to help ensure that our readers have quality news and information about Dallas, North Texas and beyond. We are thankful for their hard work year around.
And to our readers. Thank you all for giving us your trust and your time. You are the reason for this work, and we wish you the happiest Thanksgiving.