Entrepreneurs For North Texas 11th Annual 'Freedom Day' Promotes Community With Service Projects Honoring Lives Lost And Changed On September 11, 2001

Organization brings together 450 diverse volunteers to renovate, renew and restore South Dallas middle school

DALLAS, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- They come from all walks of life, all faiths and beliefs; some are CEOs and some are administrative assistants, but on September 11, 2012, there is one thing bringing 450+ North Texas volunteers together – the power of community. Entrepreneurs For North Texas (EFNT), a program of Communities Foundation of Texas, will host its eleventh annual Freedom Day on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 for the benefit of Sarah Zumwalt Middle School in Dallas.

Every year on September 11^th, EFNT unites its Member Companies for an inspiring and transformational day of community service as a way to honor the lives lost and changed in 2001.  This year, EFNT partnering with the Mayor of Dallas' GrowSouth project, Freedom Day volunteers will spend the day in service at Zumwalt Middle School.  Situated among the highest poverty stricken neighborhoods in one of the highest crime areas in Dallas, Zumwalt Middle School student prevailed against the odds and was ranked as the No. 2 middle school among non-magnet middle schools in Dallas ISD for the 2011-2012 school year.

The day of service will begin with a Kick-Off Rally featuring Mike Miles, DISD's new Superintendent. Following his inspiring remarks, the more than 450 EFNT-member volunteers will spend a full day of service projects planned to renew and revitalize the spirit of Sarah Zumwalt Middle School.  Projects include painting walls and murals, landscaping and providing minor repairs.  In addition to these projects, EFNT volunteers and donors will create a fully loaded fitness center.

"Freedom Day is our reminder of how to transform memories of tragedy into triumph," said Pam Gerber, Executive Director of the EFNT. "What makes the day meaningful isn't just that we renew these agencies, it's the fact that we do it as a community. It's bringing together teams of good corporate citizens who want to make a meaningful contribution to our neighborhoods – that's what EFNT is all about."

Added Patrick Brandt, CEO of Telligent, a Freedom Day sponsor, "The events of 9/11 impacted countless lives — I'm speaking not only of the tragic loss of life that day, but also of the profound shock, grief and sadness that afflicted the lives of millions around the world who witnessed this horrific event through the media. It is fitting and good to remember this day with a day of community service. By doing so we honor the lives lost on 9/11, improve the lives of people in our community, and learn more about ourselves and one another."

Previous EFNT Freedom Days have been held in partnership with organizations including Dallas Fire-Rescue, Texas Trees Foundation, the Innercity Community Development Corporation, Catholic Charities of Dallas at the Brady Center, Interfaith Housing Coalition, the Wilkinson Center, Community Homes for Adults Incorporated, Camp Summit, Junior Achievement, African-American Museum at Fair Park and The Science Place. Freedom Day is a "Members Only" service project for the more than 100 North Texas companies and member partners of EFNT. Additional information about becoming a Member of EFNT and participating in Freedom Day is available online at www.efnt.org.

This years' Freedom Day is supported by Optimal Solutions, Hunt Consolidated Investments, The Boone Pickens Foundation, a Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas, Executives In Action – Chris & Ashlee Kleinert, Communities Foundation of Texas, Montgomery Coscia Greilich, Aegis Communications, TravisWolff, Ernst & Young, Silicon Valley Bank, the Craig & Kathryn Hall Foundation, Patrick & Natalie Brandt, Keste, BB & T Bank, GENBAND, DriversSelect and Billingsley.  Additional in-kind contributions are provided by Jersey Mike's Subs, Corner Bakery Cafe, Studio Movie Grill, D CEO Magazine, Pacuigo Gelato, Snap The Picture, Hail Merry Snacks, Dallas County Schools, Runway Gourmet, Best Maid Pickels and Fitco., Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association, Southwest Airlines and One Art Director.

About EFNT
A program of Communities Foundation of Texas, the Entrepreneurs For North Texas (EFNT) facilitates community involvement and philanthropy for small and mid size companies who want to make a beneficial impact on their communities.  Operating as an outsourced community affairs department, EFNT provides its Member Companies with the resources to assist them in developing a company culture of good corporate citizenship. 

SOURCE Entrepreneurs For North Texas