United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is celebrating its centennial with a series of events on Saturday at Fair Park, including a concert featuring Janet Jackson and Blake Shelton.
Founded in 1924 as The Community Chest, the organization now partners with more than 200 groups to promote education, financial stability, and health.
“A lot has changed in 100 years,” said Susan Hoff, chief strategy and impact officer, CBS News Texas reported. “Our focus is to build a North Texas where everyone has access to opportunities to thrive through education, financial stability, and health.”
One early partner, ChildCareGroup, received a $27,000 gift from United Way in 1947 — equivalent to more than $500,000 today.
“There was a group of civic-minded women who stepped forward to create an organization that would care for young children while their mothers went to work,” said Tori Mannes, president and CEO of ChildCareGroup, per CBS. “At that time, a gift of that size really propelled our organization.”
Saturday’s activities include a Food & Wine Festival powered by Vistra from 3-7 p.m. at the Centennial Building, a Patron Dinner presented by Kimberly-Clark starting with a 4 p.m. reception at the Automobile Building, and the concert presented by PepsiCo at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
“When you’re 100, you have a right to celebrate,” Hoff said, according to CBS. “But it is a party with a purpose. We want everyone united together to understand how important this work is and how we’re going to drive opportunity across North Texas.”