Brown Fox Delivers Toys and Matching Cash Donation for Brother Bill’s Toy Drive
December 17, 2024 by Brown Fox
Each holiday season Brother Bill’s Helping Hand strives to bring Christmas joy to less fortunate Dallas children. This year Brother Bill’s seeks to provide an incredible 14,000 gifts for 3,500 children up to the age of twelve. Brown Fox continued its annual tradition this year by participating in the toy drive. Earlier this month Brown Fox team members Julissa Gutierrez, Ginger Edstrom, Farwa Zahra, Jeff Ward, and Russ Brown delivered boxes of toys to Brother Bill’s along with a matching cash gift of $2,500.
Since the 1940’s, Brother Bill’s has been providing key needs for thousands in West and South Dallas. The organization refers to all clients as “neighbors” and emphasizes a mission that “hands up” rather than “hands out.” More specifically, the organization provides not just food and gifts, but also healthcare and vision services, educational classes, English as a Second Language (ESL) training, job training, financial literacy, exercise classes, nutritional training, and after school programs to empower neighbors’ families for success. Brown Fox Managing Partner Russ Brown shared, “One of my favorite aspects about this toy drive is that parents can ‘shop’ for their children’s toys at Brother Bill’s, so ultimately the gifts come from mom and dad, not a charity, and better fit the children’s wish lists. The thoughtfulness Brother Bill’s applies around preserving these parents’ dignity in the gift-giving process is so special.”
Brown Fox has been a long-time supporter of Brother Bill’s work in the Dallas community. Firm attorneys and staff sponsor events, participate in service days, and perform pro bono legal work for the organization. Last year Brown joined the Board of Directors for Brother Bill’s. He shared, “We love the model Brother Bill’s brings to less fortunate sectors of our city. They provide the immediate, needed support, such as the grocery store, and even moments of joy through the toy drive, but they also give so much more to equip and empower neighbors to find jobs, secure better pay, and independently care for their families.”
Brown Fox’s Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Ward, partnered with Brother Bill’s for decades while leading External Focus at Watermark Community Church before joining the firm. Shortly after COVID hit, Mr. Ward helped coordinate a disaster relief disbursement from Watermark Community Church that led to the construction of an industrial walk-in freezer, which allowed Brother Bill’s to exponentially increase their capacity to store and distribute food across the community. Ward said, “We are always excited when amazing organizations can scale their operations to increase impact for families who really need their services.”
Learn more about Brother Bill’s and their annual Christmas Celebration by clicking here.
