Wylie Community Band is asking for $6,000 on North Texas Giving Day to cover venue rental, marketing expenses, music purchases, insurance and co-sponsorship funds. Courtesy photo

Donations are now being accepted by the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) in advance of North Texas Giving Day, Thursday, Sept. 18. And several of the potential recipients are based in Murphy, including the Murphy Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Foundation, CAMO Dog Rescue and Vera Aqua Vera Vita.

The Murphy Chamber of Scholarship Foundation was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in 2006 and is seeking $25,000.

“Our mission is to award graduating Murphy resident seniors scholarship monies to further their education, and to date has awarded $151,200 to 96 Murphy students,” the foundation said.

All graduating high school students who are residents of Murphy are eligible.

“We receive roughly 40 to 50 applicants a year, and applications are scored considering five areas, including scholastic, work experience, community involvement, leadership and need.”

CAMO Rescue said, “We believe that animals, as living creatures are entitled to a quality life, respect and compassion. Since humans have domesticated animals, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to care for them. We are partnered with many Shelters to help them reach the same goal.”

CAMO Rescue said it offers life, health and a forever home and is seeking $25,000.

“We specialize in dogs that other rescues can’t or won’t take due to fearful nature or medical needs,” the organization said. “We primarily rescue euthanasia-listed animals that are in immediate danger of death. We provide shots, spay/neuter, microchip, foster homes, food, medical treatment and love to dogs that are abandoned, unwanted or otherwise in need.”

Vera Aqua Vera Vita said it “strives to bring the hope and charity of Christ … while implementing convenient, economical, practical and efficient water distribution, sanitation and conservation systems in impoverished countries” such as Peru.

Although it is not registered with North Texas Giving Day, the Murphy Veterans Tribute is accepting donations via its website, murphyveteranstribute.org, “to provide a welcoming environment for visitors to give honor, respect, and gratitude to all veterans and the opportunity to educate future generations as to the price paid for the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy today.”

Wylie Community Band is seeking $6,000 to assist with venue rental (high school band hall for rehearsals and auditorium for programs), marketing expenses, music purchases and to co-sponsor “Wylie in the Meyerson” March 7, 2026.

Founded in 2016, the band is a volunteer organization of enthusiastic musicians ranging from recreational players to professionals, 16 to 80+ years of age.

“We perform six to seven programs a year, with a variety of music including jazz, Broadway show tunes, marches and classic band repertoire,” the band said.

Based in Wylie, Heaven’s Journey Foundation is a Christian based nonprofit organization dedicated to active engagement within the communities of Wylie, Sachse, Murphy, Garland, and surrounding areas.

Heaven’s Journey Foundation said it was committed to assisting those who are willing to explore and fulfill their purpose through their talents and gifts.

“In return, we encourage them to utilize these abilities to positively impact others for Christ. Our services are crafted to empower individuals to thrive in their personal and familial roles. Together, let’s discover how we can make a meaningful difference in our community and beyond.”

Sunshine and Rainbows Early Learning Center in Allen said its program reaches children and families from the Allen, Plano, McKinney, Murphy, Frisco and Melissa areas.

“We have been in ministry for over 40 years serving thousands of families and their children,” Sunshine and Rainbows said. “We are a faith-based, play-based early childhood program for children ages 2 to 6.”

Now in its 17th year, NorthTexasGivingDay.org continues to expand as a one-stop shop for supporting community organizations every day of the year through cause campaigns, matching fundraisers, group giving events and nonprofit-led fundraising efforts.

“Thanks to help from generous givers and sponsors, Communities Foundation of Texas covers all transaction and technology fees, ensuring 100% of each donation made on the site goes to nonprofits in more than 25 cause areas across 20 North Texas counties, all year long,” the organization said.

Online donations may be made by credit card, PayPal, venmo, ApplePay and Google Pay at northtexasgivingday.org. 

In 2024, the program connected over 3,200 local nonprofits with givers, raising more than $70 million, CFT said.

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