Dallas Market Center has announced the 10 finalists for The Next Big Give contest, a third annual national search for specialty retailers that make a difference in their communities through volunteering, raising funds or donating goods.
The Next Big Give 2013 finalists are:
Best Buddies Dog Boutique and Bakery — St. Pete Beach, Fla.
With the belief of reinforcing the bond between human and dog, Alan Ronay of Best Buddies focuses on the positive things that bring people and dogs together. The boutique works with local pet shelters to raise awareness of the many neglected pets that desperately need homes, as well as donating food to the shelters and spreading awareness about their good work. The store also gives a free bag of premium pet food to all adopted pets to help get them started on the right “paw” to good health. Most recently, Best Buddies also participated in an event that paired war vets with shelter dogs.
C and J’s Gifts and Home Décor — Jacksonville, Ark.
Carletta Wilson and her family always had a love for rescue dogs. After her daughter suggested the store help the local animal shelter, C and J’s decided to hold an annual “Canine Cutie Pageant,” collaborating with the Jacksonville Animal Shelter, Community Center and Chamber of Commerce. Every dog wins a participation prize and are judged on best stage personality, most likely to be cuddled, prettiest hair, most photogenic, best smile, cutest eyes and best attire. Shelter dogs are paraded for the audience to view and adopt, and the shelter receives the proceeds from the event.
Calico Cat — Greenville, Tex.
Calico Cat’s owner, Janeen Cunningham, has led countless charity efforts through her gift and apparel store the past 40 years. Bras for the Cause (BFTC) is the most remarkable of its recent projects, inspired by the idea of decorated bras raising money for breast cancer causes. Anyone can enter a bra, and after decorating, they’re displayed along a three-block area in downtown Greenville for one October night. The public is invited to purchase a ballot to cast votes on their favorites. More than $125,000 has been raised in just four events since its inception. The proceeds of BFTC benefit a local hospital to establish a program providing wigs, mastectomy bras, prostheses, compression garments and other necessities for cancer patients unable to afford them.
