The mission of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry (Texas AGD) is to help general dentists to succeed, and the members of the Texas AGD were passionate about fulfilling this mission by raising $26,000 to help the dental community find success despite the destruction of some of their communities affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Texas AGD contributes the success of the campaign to its leaders, its members, and working together with other organizations like the Texas Dental Association (TDA) and the Jack T. Clark Foundation (JTCF) to raise the $26,000. Early on, Texas AGD leaders recognized that many of their peers would need immediate relief following the disaster. In the blink of an eye, they engaged with TDA’s Disaster Relief Grant Program team in order to have a funding mechanism to quickly help those in need. “The program provides disaster assistance funds to Texas dentists who have immediate, basic needs as a result of a natural disaster or catastrophe,” said Dr. Jose Cazares, TDA President in attendance at the installation of board members for the San Antonio AGD. “One of the best attributes of this program: all dentists in Texas are eligible for the grant, regardless of membership in TDA or Texas AGD.”
With the support of the grant program, Texas AGD raised funds through online donations and at their annual Texas Academy Awards which honors New Dentist of the Year and Texas Dentist of the Year™ nominees and winners. “We were blessed to already have an event planned where we could truly show how strength in numbers could provide great strength for support in our dental community,” said Francine Johannesen, Executive Director of Texas AGD.
To encourage donations at the event, the Jack T. Clark Foundation Board of Directors agreed to match donations, dollar for dollar up the $10,000. Dr. Jennifer Bone gave an energetic presentation with a goal to make the room “Glow for Good” with the help of glow sticks and donations that reached over $10,000 in one single night. With the Jack T. Clark Foundation match of $10,000 – the evening raised $20,000! “Standing on the stage and watching the room light up made my heart glow for good,” said Dr. Bone, President-Elect for Texas AGD. In addition, another $6,000 was raised through online donations.
On behalf of Texas AGD and Jack T. Clark Foundation, Dr. Marc Worob, Past President of Texas AGD and board member of the foundation, presented a check for over $26,000 to the TDA Relief program to help support dentists affected by Hurricane Harvey. “The generosity of everyone involved shows true unity in helping dentists to succeed, no matter what the cause. It is both an honor and a privilege to be able to help,” said Dr. Worob.
