TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary. 3
Background Information
Dallas Regional Chamber.. 4
Dallas Mavericks. 5
Patriot PAWS... 6-7
Service Dogs for Veterans... 8-9
Proposal
Description of Fundraising Event... 10-12
Schedule of Events... 13
Event Budget. 14
Current Sponsors 15
Appendices
Letters of Recommendation.. 16-17
Case Study. 18
Sources. 19

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, there is a growing need for service dogs, both for the mobility impaired
and for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Of the 1.64 million troops to have served
in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, an estimated 300,000 individuals currently suffer from PTSD, and
over 6 million veterans have mobility issues. The rates of suicide among veterans with PTSD are very
high, and based on recent statistics, an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide daily. In the Dallas/Fort
Worth area there are an estimated 150,000 veterans, with as many as 15% of those having some sort
of mobility impairment.
The Dallas Mavericks, in co-operation with corporate partners, are proposing a Veterans Day event
at the American Airlines center prior to the Mavericks game, called I love MVPs. This event will
raise money for Patriot Paws, a non-profit organization providing service dogs, free of charge, to veterans struggling with PTSD and mobility challenges. Patriot Paws is the only organization of its kink in
North Texas, and with over three hundred applicants annually and a current two-year waiting list of
over one hundred veterans, Patriot Paws is currently unable to support this growing need.
We are asking for the Dallas Regional Chamber to help us in promoting the event to the business
community and to DRC members. With your help we can gain more sponsors from DRC members and
reach our fundraising goal of $300,000.
These funds will enable Patriot PAWS to cut the wait time for a service dog in half by increasing the
size and capacity of their existing facility, hiring more trainers, and expanding their network of breeders. The Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce and DRC member businesses are invited to show
their support for the needs of our local veterans by joining with The Mavericks Foundation to raise
funds for Patriot Paws at the 2015 Veterans Day game.

DALLAS REGIONAL CHAMBER

Mission Statement: Together, we will lead the Dallas region to become the most economically prosperous regionand the most desirable place to live and workin the United States.
The Dallas Regional Chamber is a member-driven business organization that promotes economic prosperity through collaboration with its members and guided by its 90 member board of directors. The
chamber manages a variety of programs and activities engaging their members and the community.
Membership in the DRC gives businesses the ability to network and build partnerships that will further
economic development and increase the quality of life in the DFW area and across North Texas.
In order to follow their current blueprint for prosperity, the DRC encourages member engagement
through programs and initiatives. There are currently over 150 businesses investing in the Blueprint
for Economic Prosperity. The DRC hosts more than 300 programs each year, from large educational
programs to roundtable discussions. These events bring together thousands of executives from the
DFW region and offer businesses networking, education and sponsorships.
The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Mavericks Foundation hope to add our event to that list of activities. We look forward to partnering with the DRC in spreading word of our event to all of its members
businesses and to the community. We believe that highlighting the positive contributions and impact
service dogs will inspire the Dallas community to become more involved; by donating and volunteering in any way they can. Helping support Patriot Paws not only helps veterans regain their independence and return to the workforce. It also teaches prison inmates a new vocation, and gives rescue
dogs a new lease on life; which all improve the community and positively impact the Dallas economy.
Goal for the fundraising: $ 300,000
Purpose of the fundraising:
1. Help fund the construction of new facility for Patriot PAWS
2. Creation of the veterans assistance fund that will aid veterans stay in Dallas during the 10-day
training period
Expected impact: Shorten the wait time for adoption of a service dog
from two years to less than one year.

THE DALLAS MAVERICKS

The Dallas Mavericks Foundation, a private charity affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, is
dedicated to using our unique platform to assist families and those in our community who need us most
through financial support, advocacy and service. The Dallas Mavericks have a history helping veterans
and their families by teaming with corporate partners such as American Airlines. By teaming with other
Dallas businesses, we will raise awareness of the needs of veterans within our community. The Dallas
Mavericks acknowledging that a community is only as strong as its weakest link.
The Dallas Mavericks want to show appreciation for our veterans through assistance programs and by
honoring their service with programs like Salute Our Troops and Seats For Soldiers. For the ninth
year, the Dallas Mavericks and American Airlines will be partnering for Seats for Soldiers, a one-of-akind experience for our nations military heroes. On Dec. 14, more than 100 wounded service members
from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and other troops on reserve in the Dallas/Fort Worth
area traveled to Dallas to see the Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee Bucks game at American Airlines Center. The Dallas Mavericks partnered with Albertsons for the Salute Our Troops program, in which over
14,000 care packages were donated and delivered to military personnel by the USO and DWF airport.

Campaigns like these truly show our customers hearts, and

their support of our nations Military personnel has never wavered, said Carol Roberts, Community Relations and Partnership Marketing manager for Albertsons LLC. Fourteen thousand care packages equal reminders of home for these soldiers. We are proud to partner with the Mavericks in presenting the USO with this donation on behalf of our customers and stores.

PATRIOT PAWS
The mission of Patriot PAWS is to train and provide service dogs of the highest quality, at no
cost, to veterans with mobile disabilities or
PTSD, in order to help restore their physical and
emotional independence. Patriot PAWS intends
to build partnerships with the state and community organizations to help develop and support
this goal. Patriot PAWS was founded in 2005, by
Lori Stevens, after she realized the great need for
assistance dogs among ability-impaired veterans.

Patriot Paws trains and houses up to 60 dogs at their facility in Rockwall, and with the help of a volunteer network of puppy raisers, they have other dogs being trained off-site. The approximate cost of
training a service dog for two years is $27,000. In 2008, Patriot PAWS expanded its service dog training
program to include a partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Two TDCJ facilities are participating in the program and include the Lane Murray Unit and the Crain Womens Correctional Unit located in Gatesville, Texas. The partnership is intended to provide help not only for disabled
veterans, but opportunities for inmates to have a job while serving their sentence, learning a career

Patriot PAWS trains and places dogs with mobility-impaired as well as PTSD suffering veterans, and each
dog is trained to meet the individual needs of the owner.

Dogs trained to assist mobility-impaired veterans can help veterans with daily tasks that are difficult or
impossible such as:

Get help in emergencies

Pick up and retrieve items

Open and close doors

Pull wheelchairs

Service dogs for veterans with PTSD are trained for

specialized behaviors such as:

Doing perimeter checks

Waking their veteran from night terrors

Being a physical barrier between their

veteran and the public

Recognize and avert PTSD episodes

Through the placing of service dogs and their partnership with TDCJ, Patriot PAWS helps with three important needs of the community.
Bonding with a service dog will allow disabled veterans to regain their emotional stability and their independence

SERVICE DOGS FOR VETERANS

Of the approximately 1.64 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, an estimated 300,000 of them currently suffer from PTSD or major depression. At least 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan
veterans have PTSD and/or Depression. The costs of treating veterans with PTSD are extremely high and
are putting a strain on the already overwhelmed Federal system.

In a recent blog post, CBO director Douglas W. Elmendorf said the average cost of treating veterans with
PTSD, TBI or both was about four to six times greater . . . than for patients without those conditions. This
high cost of treatment and limited amount of funding is causing delay in getting treatment and difficulty is
accessing the resources that these veterans need.

Veterans suffering from PTSD have higher than average divorce rates and difficulty finding employment.
For veterans already dealing with PTSD, these things can be more than they can bear and often lead to
suicide. The rates of suicide among veterans with PTSD are very high. Based on recent statistics, an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide daily. Thats one every 65 minutes. This is where service dogs can
help.

Clinical studies show that service and companion

dogs can have a significant positive impact on those
with physical and mental disabilities. Unfortunately,
there is a finite supply of service dogs and the
growth potential of this supply is limited.
The value of service dogs for people with severe ambulatory disabilities: a randomized controlled trial
Allen, K., and J. Blascovich, 1996, JAMA, v. 275, p.
1001-6.

Service dogs assist those with PTSD in the following ways.

A service dog can help a veteran gauge the safety of their surroundings, allowing them to venture
into public places without constantly scanning for snipers, hidden bombs and other dangers

The dogs help the veterans understand what is happening around them and allow them to feel safe

Curiosity about the animal gives the veteran an opportunity to talk about his condition and his war
experiences, which can contribute to recovery

Caring for the dog and sharing that bond gives the veteran a renewed sense of responsibility, optimism, and self-awareness

Service dogs assist mobility impaired veterans in the following ways:

Get help in emergency situations

Pick up and retrieve items

Open and close doors

Pull wheelchairs

The Benefits of a service dog are huge

The veteran is able to finally feel safe and protected, is able to care for his or her family, is often able to
return to work or go to college, and can avoid serious mental breakdowns and suicidal thoughts. The veteran feels unconditional love as well as protection from the dog 24/7. Other benefits from having a service dog include:

Decreased risk of violence, alcoholism, and drug abuse

Elimination of suicidal thoughts

Reduction in psychiatric and medical costs

Improvement of job possibilities

DESCRIPTION OF FUNDRAISING EVENT

MVP fundraising event: Veterans Day pregame and halftime activities
Prior to the Game on November 11
From October 11 to November 11, Mavericks game attendees can donate to Patriot PAWS at a booth
located on the concourse in the American Airlines Center.
The Mavericks Foundation and Patriot Paws will create a social media webpage to increase the
awareness of the fundraising event on November 11th.

Pre-game Event @ AT&T Plaza

Each of the corporate sponsors will have its own booth set up.

Event attendees will enter their drawings for a chance to win our various prizes.

Tables and chairs will be set up, and food and drinks will be provided to the guests.

Promotional video about information of the Patriot Paws and its service dogs will be projected on the
screen.
Patriot PAWS representatives will provide promotional materials such as brochures and posters ,and
also demonstrate how the service dogs serve their duties on the stage.
Veterans that have previously adopted a service dog from the Patriot Paws share their stories on how
service dogs have changed their life.
People could take pictures with service dogs for $5, which will be also donated towards the campaign
fund.
The Mavericks T-Shirts, Patriot Paws T-Shirts, and Veterans T-Shirts will be sold, and the sales revenue will also be directed towards the campaign fund.

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Half-time Event @ American Airlines Center

During the broadcast halftime show, the Mavericks will invite a select number of veterans to come
center court for a free throw contest - for every free throw made by the veterans, the Dallas Mavericks
will donate an additional $5,000 to Patriot PAWS.
We will air Patriot PAWSs media spot throughout the game and at the halftime show simultaneously on the screen in the arena and during the Mavericks game television broadcast.
The media spot will direct viewers to simply text a number to have their $10 donation appear on
their next phone bill.

Participating Companies for the pre-game event:

Purina

AT&T

Petsmart

American Airlines

Starbucks

The NBA

Kroger

The Veterans Administration

- Additional companies will be able to join the event and set up their own booth by making a $10,000 contribution towards our fundraising goal (must be approved by Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Regional
Chamber of Commerce).

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- That night, the Dallas Mavericks will donate $5 from every ticket sold to Patriot PAWSs 2015 expansion campaign fund.
- The Dallas Mavericks Foundation will also provide a $25,000 grant to Patriot Paws for supplemental
funding to Service Dog recipients.
Goal for the fundraising: $ 300,000
Purpose of the fundraising:
1. Help fund the construction of new facility for Patriot PAWS
2. Creation of the veterans assistance fund that will aid veterans stay in Dallas during the 10-day
training period
Expected impact: Shorten the wait time for adoption of a service dog about in half.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Time

Venue

Event

12:00 PM

AT&T Plaza

Welcome Greetings

1:00 PM

AT&T Plaza

Lunch: Food/Drink Provided

2:00 PM

AT&T Plaza

Patriot PAWS video on the

screen

3:00 PM

AT&T Plaza

Demonstration of service
dogs on stage

4:30 PM

AT&T Plaza

Veterans that have previously adopted a service dog

from the Patriot Paws share
their stories on how service
dogs have changed their
life.

6:00 PM

AT&T Plaza

Announce the winners for

the prizes.

8:30 PM

American Airlines Center

Game Starts

Est. 10:00 PM

American Airlines Center

Half-time Event

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EVENT BUDGET
Item

Amount ($)

Event Insurance ($10k Deposit

$20k refundable)

30,000

Security

6,000

Food

5,000

Servicevolunteers

Equipment Rental:
Booths (Approx. 20 booths)

2,000

Tables

500

Chairs

600

Linens

300

Stage Setup/Collapse

700

Sound System Rental/ Insur-

1,000

ance
Projector/ Screen/ Computer

500

MC Salary

2,000

Decorations

5,000

Favors/ T-Shirts/ Incentives

3,500

Web Content

450

Printing:
Save-the-Date/ Invitations/
Tickets

1,500

Posters/ Press Packets/ Large

Donation Check

5,000

Photography

4,000

Social Media Webpage Setup

200

Miscellaneous Expenses
Total

2,000
$70,250
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CURRENT SPONSORS
Sponsor

Donation

Purina

Dog food and treats up to

$25,000

Petsmart

Dog supplies up to $25,000

American Airlines

NBA game tickets (2 per

home game) up to $3,700
during the season

Starbucks

Employee volunteers for

Patriot Paws (up to 1,000
donated hours)

The NBA

7 minutes of airtime each

game for our PSA

Kroger

Cleaning supplies up to
$25,000

The Veterans Administra- Aid with necessary docution

mentation and assist veterans applying for a service
dog
AT&T

Monetary donation of
$25,000

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborne Street
Dallas, TX 75219
October 25, 2013
Dallas Regional Chamber
500 North Akard Street, Suite 2600
Dallas, TX 75201
To Whom It May Concern:
I am Robert Bob Walker, the CEO of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC). TSRHC
treats children under the age of 18, with orthopedic conditions as well as certain related neurological disorders andlearning disorders, such as dyslexia. One prosthetics department was established
in 1975 and has fitted more than 5,000 limbs for children with amputations or limb deficiencies due
to trauma or illness.
Our prosthetics department was a 2013 recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Dallas Mavericks
Foundation. Our mission is to not only fabricate prosthetics to restore basic function for children
allowing them to participate in daily living, but also to expand medical knowledge and patient care.
The Dallas Mavericks Foundation grant of $25,000 allows us to cover a portion of the costs associated with the equipment and supplies needed to fabricate specialized prosthetic limbs for children. This grant will help us cover a portion of these costs and provide services to 20 additional
families.
The Dallas Mavericks Foundation and their commitment to enrich the North Texas Community by
providing grants to non-profit organizations such as Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children,
proves their strive for creating and enriching the lives children and strengthening our community
overall. I am honored to be a part of their excellence.
Sincerely
Bob Walker, CEO
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
(214) 559-7440, Ext 3343

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CitySquare
511 North Akard Street, Suite 302
Dallas, TX 75201

October 30, 2013

Dallas Regional Chamber

500 North Akard Street, Suite 2600
Dallas, TX 75201

To Whom It May Concern:

As the CEO of CitySquare I am delighted to be a recipient of The Dallas Mavericks Foundation
2103 Grant of $25,000.
CitySquares mission is to fight the causes and effects of poverty through service, advocacy, and
friendship. We received this funding for our Nurture, Knowledge, and Nutrition Program
(NKN); which is an ongoing program servicing 12,000 children between the ages of 1-18 in the
metroplex (annually). Our NKN program provides snacks and meals to low-income children at
risk of hunger. These services are provided year round through a network of after school and
summer programs.
The Dallas Mavericks Foundation grant of $25,000 allowed us to provide food to over 16,000
children through a network of 135 sites of after-school programs and summer programs.
The Dallas Mavs Foundation has enriched the lives of the children in our NKN program and
provided them with the nutrition and sustenance every child should have. The Dallas Mavs
Foundation has helped us greatly in our belief that no child should suffer from hunger. I am
honored and eternally grateful for their dedication to our North Texas community.
Sincerely

Larry James, CEO

CitySquare
(214) 823-871

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CASE STUDY

Background The Dallas Mavericks partnered with Albertsons in 2014 for their Salute Our
Troops initiative. The campaign brought awareness to the need for care packages requested by our
dedicated troops currently serving within the armed forces. All of the frequently requested items
are every items to the average American but extremely rare commodities to those serving abroad.
Challenge Our current military is in need of every day items and care packages they would not
otherwise be able to obtain if not for care packages delivered by the USO. The items requested most
frequently include: deodorant, lip balm, tooth brush, tooth paste, dental floss, nutrition bars, assorted gum, candy, and snacks.
Action Albertsons and The Dallas Mavericks teamed up to show their support for our men and
women in the armed forces. From March 10 through April 15th, 2014, Mavs fans visited their local
Albertsons and purchased Salute Our Troops Care Packages which were delivered to local the USO
at Ft. Hood and the USO at DFW International Airport. The campaign was extremely successful with
14, 624 care packages purchased and delivered to the troops that sacrifice so much on our behalf. We are proud to be a part of this initiative and to show our support and dedication to those
who serve in the armed forces.
We need to keep front of mind how much the men and women who serve in our military keep us
safe as we go on with our day to day, said Mike Withers, President of Albertsons Southern Division, Being able to facilitate this type of event is just one way we can all show our appreciation
for our troops and we are proud to stand with the Dallas Mavericks on this project.

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SOURCES

Bark, E. (2014, September 1). Oct 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014, from
http://www.unclebarky.com/dfw_files/archive-oct-2014.html
Blueprint for Economic Prosperity. (2014, January 1). Retrieved December 2, 2014, from
http://www.dallaschamber.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/StrategicPlan_Report.pdf
Borochoff, D. (2010). Charitable Giving Via Your Cell Phone: Is the Convenience Worth It?2010
Charity Rating Guide & Watchdog Report. Retrieved December 2, 2014, from http://
www.charitywatch.org/aboutaip.html
Find U.S. disability statistics in 3 easy steps. (2012, January 1). Retrieved December 2, 2014,
from http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/reports/acs.cfm?statistic=10
Grace, K. (2013, June 27). PTSD Awareness Day 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2014, from
http://www.anythingpawsable.com/ptsd-awareness-day-2013/#.VHybBDGG_jt
Rieckhoff, P. (2014, March 26). 22 Per Day. The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 2, 2014,
from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-rieckhoff/22-per-day_b_5038445.html
Tanielian, T., & Jaycox, L. (Eds.). (2008). Invisible Wounds of War. Rand, Center for Military
Health Policy Research. Retrieved December 2, 2014, from http://www.rand.org/content/
dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG720.pdf

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