Awards and Donations

The Garland Chamber of Commerce recognized Trusted World in its 36th Annual Leadership Garland Community Fellowship Breakfast at the Atrium in the Granville Arts Center earlier this month. This year’s theme was “Serve Local: Find Your Ripple Effect.” 

Trusted World Founder and CEO Michael Garrett received a standing ovation as he accepted the Hometown Hero award on behalf of the organization. He explained how the Trusted World Network empowers partners to tackle situational poverty like never before, Saying, “We service schools, nonprofits, and police. We’re telling school counselors when you see that child in need, it’s an indicator that the family’s struggling. And what we tell them is, don’t just help the child; we want you to help the entire family.  

The Chamber also awarded the organization a 2-thousand dollar donation. 

As a data-driven organization, Trusted World is breaking old and setting new records in the number of resource orders it provides partners. Consider this: In 2016, the organization provided 316 orders for the entire year. It now provides as many orders in a week to its more than 800 North Texas partners. Trusted World expects a new annual record set by the year’s end. 

James Thomas

Trusted World Board member James Thomas recently recieved some high-profile recognition in Plano.

The Plano Chamber of Commerce named Thomas their 2023 Citizen of the Year. As a lifelong resident of Plano, Thomas has impacted countless lives throughout his career as a coach, teacher, mentor, and more. He currently serves as the head of student services for Plano ISD, continuing his legacy as he inspires the next generation in Plano.

Volunteer Challenge

The Trusted World Corporate Volunteer Challenge celebrates North Texas organizations paying employees to volunteer, thus empowering them to make a significant community impact. The top two contenders are Texas Instruments, the defending champion, and State Farm, which currently leads with 638 Volunteer hours. T-I is just behind with 637 hours. 

State Farm also leads the category for most volunteer visits. 

State Farm volunteer Amber Gill says, “At the end of the day, we’re here to help, but, you know, being number one feels good. So step aside – we here, number one.”

Meanwhile, TI volunteer Brandis Fielder says, “We love a good challenge. Haven’t you ever heard of TI? We always end up number one. I’m not worried.”

The final numbers will be tallied at the end of the year, and the winners of each category will have a huge pizza party celebrating their volunteer commitment and community impact.  

Make a Difference

If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact but don’t know where to start, this may inspire you: Students from Dooley Elementary in Plano ISD recently organized a school-wide food drive, donating hundreds of canned goods and other nonperishable items to Trusted World. In Highland Park ISD, Boone Elementary students also donated hundreds of food items. These kids remind us, one can at a time, that you’re never too small to make a difference.

If you’d like to help make a difference, go to TrustedWorld.org, click on volunteer experiences, and sign up. If you’d like to explore other ways to help, you can go to the same website, and under the ways to give link, click on needs to find the items the Network most needs. For clothing donations, one of our key sponsors, the Credit Union of Texas, has donation dropoff bins in every one of their North Texas branches. Next to the bin is a banner with a QR code if you want to donate money. You’ll find a complete list of dropoff bin locations on the Trusted World website.

That’s a look at the headlines from around the Trusted World Network, where you can join us in helping people help people.