In support of The Dallas Morning News Charities, neighborsgo would like to invite all of our readers to donate your time to one of the official TDMN Charities or to an organization of your choice this holiday season. 

Within the November 27th edition of neighborsgo, online at neighborsgo.com, and throughout the month you will find a neighborsgo Gives Back volunteer pledge. To join us in our effort, please fill out the pledge and mail back to us. Signed reader and staff pledges will be displayed in the hallways of The Dallas Morning News for the duration of the campaign. Together we can impact the lives of fellow community members who have fallen on hard times this year. It is important to remember that these community members are not strangers, but rather family, friends and neighbors.

Find an organization that you take particular interest in and get involved! Whether you are serving dinner at The Bridge, lending a helping hand in the Frisco Family Services food pantry or assisting in the clothes closet at the North Dallas Shared Ministries, you are playing an active role in making our communities better.

We would also like to invite you to share your volunteer experiences with us on neighborsgo.com. Work for a charity or non-profit who has specific needs this holiday season? Answer the following questions and send via email to lbesse@neighborsgo.com.

What non-profit or charity are you with?

What services do you provide to the community?

Where is your organization located? (community/zip code)

How can community members get involved?

What are your most urgent needs this holiday season?

Personally, I have been volunteering for years. One of my most memorable volunteer experiences was helping prepare and serve breakfast at 5 a.m. at Salvation Army. I was a college student and involved in an organization that took pride in serving others. Sure, those early mornings did not come easy, but once I saw the faces of those I would be helping and witnessed their deep gratitude for our service, I truly felt what the power of giving was all about.

Neighborsgo frequently receives stories about the wonderful ways our readers are giving back to their communities. Take for example, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Allen who recently served 3,000 hours of community service on November, 7. It took 800 people to serve 3,000 hours, but even one person can make a difference in just a little time.

Be the light at the end of the tunnel for those individuals who need our support and give back to your community this holiday season!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Laura Besse is Community Relations Coordinator for neighborsgo and a supporter of Susan G. Komen Foundation, Salvation Army and Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. You can reach her at lbesse@neighborsgo.com or at her blog, neighborsgo.com/blog/connection.

Come out and hang with the neighborsgo team at the following events in November! Please check our public calendar for more information surrounding these events and many more posted by your neighbors. We hope to see you out there!

Richardson - Saturday, Nov. 14 - Sunday, Nov. 15 - Holiday Market benefiting The 500 Inc. - Richardson Civic Center www.500holidaymarket.com

North Dallas - Saturday, Nov. 21 - Sunday, Jan. 3 - Trains at NorthPark benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas www.rmhdallas.com/trains/index.html 

North Dallas - Thursday, Nov. 19 - Angelika Movie Theatre - Everybody's Fine movie screening. Want to attend? RSVP before Monday, Nov. 16 at everybodysfinedallas@moroch.com with your name, age, and daytime phone number.

Richardson - Thursday, Nov. 19 - Richardson Chamber Small Busines Roundtable "What Do I Do If I Need To Sell Now" http://tinyurl.com/y8flgkr

Come out and hang with the neighborsgo team at the following events in October! Please check our public calendar for more information surrounding these events and many more posted by your neighbors. We hope to see you out there!

Plano - Saturday, Oct. 3 - Make A Wish 100 Bicycle Rally www.wish100.org

Richardson - Thursday, Oct. 15 - Richardson Chamber Small Business Round Table http://tinyurl.com/yesdbr2

Dallas - Saturday, Oct. 17 - Dallas Komen Race for the Cure              www.komen-dallas.org

Frisco - Friday, Oct. 23 - Frisco Fire Safety Town's Trick or Treat http://www.ci.frisco.tx.us/safetytown/Pages/default.aspx

Mesquite - Saturday, Oct. 24 - Historic Mesquite's Dinner Under the Cedars http://www.cityofmesquite.com/hmi/

Lakewood - Saturday, Oct. 24 - Lakewood Service League's Walk, Wag, Run http://www.lakewoodserviceleague.org/walkwagrun/

Rowlett - Tuesday, Oct. 27 - Rowlett Chamber Taste & Trade http://www.rowlettchamber.com/business-taste.htm

Dallas - Friday, Oct. 29 - Bradie's Bash - Tricks, Treats & Cleats

Lewisville - Saturday, Oct. 31 - Lewisville Chamber Community Showcase http://www.lewisvillechamber.org/

Rockwall - Saturday, Oct. 31 - Race to End Abuse http://www.lilliansmith.org/Raceinfo.html

In the spirit of Halloween, neighborsgo staffers have changed their profile pictures! Join us by posting your own Halloween photos!

Our friends at Dallas CASA reminded me that this Friday, Sept. 11 marks the date as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. I encourage everyone to spend some time that day and throughout the year donating hours of service to a local charity or organization of your choice.

Even the little contributions help and time is just as valuable of a donation as money. As I've gotten older I have learned the true value in giving back to others and am so happy to be able to help charitable organizations in my every day job.

By the end of 2009, neighborsgo will have partnered with over 20 different non-profit organizations in support of their efforts.

neighborsgo has many non-profits that post to our site on a regular basis and fill our print sections with heart-warming stories. One of our most memorable stories comes from the Rockwall Animal Adoption Center who worked tirelessly to find a good home for Marble. We recently met with the Girl Scouts of North East Texas about an official partnership to help give the Gold Award recipients the recognition they deserve for working tirelessly on their individual service projects. After speaking with the Garland High School Dashing Debs about BuzzFree Promises Dress Giveaway they decided they liked the idea of donating their unsold dresses from their annual fundraiser to the cause. We are also partnering with Make A Wish Foundation in their first annual Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.

It is easy to give back in a variety of different ways that fit with your schedule, do not strain your pocket book all while making an impact on your community. neighborsgo.com is a great tool in learning more about a variety of organizations in your area. Find one that you feel passionate about and get involved!

Come out and hang with the neighborsgo team at the following events in September! Please check our public calendar for more information surrounding these events and many more posted by your neighbors. We hope to see you out there!

McKinney - Saturday, Sept. 5 @ 8pm - McKinney Performing Arts Center presents...Dan Evans live in concert. To purchase tickets visit www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org

McKinney - Sunday, Sept. 6- McKinney Performing Arts Center and Tucker Hill's Arts On The Lawn. For more information surrounding this event visit www.tuckerhilltx.com

Lewisville/Carrollton - Saturday, Sept. 12 - Tour de neighborsgo Family Bike Ride  Join us for a family friendly 1.5 mile bike ride - 9am - 12pm, Castle Hills Village Shops 2450 King Arthur Blvd. Lewisville, TX 75056

Richardson - Thursday, Sept. 17 - Richardson Chamber of Commerce Small Business Round Table "How to Sell More in a Tough Economy" http://tinyurl.com/mut2cc

Balch Springs - Thursday, Sept. 17 - Community Job Fair and Small Business Expo http://www.balchspringschamber.org/

Plano - Friday, Sept. 18 - Sunday, Sept. 20 - Plano Balloon Festival Stop by the neighborsgo booth on Saturday, Sept. 19th from 10am - 10pm    http://www.planoballoonfest.org

Lewisville - Tuesday, Sept. 22 - Sounds of Lewisville Concert Series "Bodie Powell & the Borderline Band" http://www.soundsoflewisville.com

Thanks again to the more than 150 neighborsgo readers who came out to chat with editors Friday!

Read more about our encounters - and your feedback about our newspaper and Web site - in the Aug. 21 editions of neighborsgo.

For now, here's an overview of how it went yesterday.

You're invited! neighborsgo will be hosting community meet and greets on Friday, Aug. 14. We want to talk to you about what's going on in the community, give you great tips on how to utilize the website and get feedback on some of our latest and greatest editorial features!

Come out and join us at a location near you. Check out the listings below for addresses and times and remember, the meet and greets are very informal and therefore, please feel free to come and go as you wish. We cannot wait to see you!

Community Meet and Greets - Friday, August 14

ALLEN 

Come meet Saerom Yoo in Allen from 2pm - 4pm at Coffee N' Cream - 190 E. Stacy Rd. Allen, TX 75002

BEST SOUTHWEST

Join Loyd Brumfield in Best Southwest from 2pm - 4pm at Starbucks - E FM 1382 Cedar Hill, TX 75104

CARROLLTON/FARMERS BRANCH/ADDISON

Jennifer Hall looks forward to meeting you in Carrollton from11am - 1pm at Starbucks - 1025 W. Hebron Pkwy Carrollton, TX 75010

COPPELL

Come meet Greg Tepper in Coppell from 11am - 1pm at Starbucks - 106 N. Denton Tap Rd Coppell, TX 75019

FRISCO

Join Managing Editor Oscar Martinez in Frisco from 2pm - 4pm at the Frisco Public Library McCallum Room - 6101 Frisco Square Blvd Frisco, TX 75034

IRVING

Cassie Clark wants to meet you in Irving from 10am - 12pm at the Central Public Library Auditorium - 801 W Irving Blvd Irving, TX 75060

LAKE HIGHLANDS

Come speak with Lindsay Irvin in Lake Highlands from 7:30am - 10:00am at the Lake Highlands Community Gardens - 7901 Goforth Rd. Dallas, TX 75238

LEWISVILLE

Join Ruth Haesemeyer in Lewisville from 12pm - 2pm at the neighborsgo office - 131 W. Main St. Lewisville, TX 75067

MCKINNEY

Donnie Wyar looks forward to meeting you in McKinney from 9am - 11am at Market Street (2nd floor meeting room) - 6100 W. Eldorado Pkwy McKinney, TX 75070

MESQUITE

Come share your feedback with Naquanna Comeaux in Mesquite from 2pm - 4pm at the Mesquite Public Library - 300 W. Grubb Dr Mesquite, TX 75149

NORTH DALLAS/PARK CITIES

Allison Wisk wants to meet you in North Dallas/Park Cities from 12pm - 2pm at Starbucks - 12262 Inwood Rd Dallas, TX 75244

PLANO/W. PLANO *Please note change in location

Meet Angela Chambers in Plano/W. Plano from 12pm - 2pm at Starbucks - 2024 15th St. Plano, TX 75075

RICHARDSON

Visit with Richardson editor Lindsay Irvin from 7:30am - 10am at the Lake Highlands Community Garden - 7901 Goforth Rd. Dallas, TX 75238

WHITE ROCK/M STREETS/LAKEWOOD

Come out and speak with White Rock editor Jenice Johnson from 3pm - 5pm at The Pearl Cup - 1900 N. Henderson Ave. Dallas, TX 75202

August is ALMOST here and you know what that means? The return of school, tax-free weekend, Texas football and much, much more!

neighborsgo will be a part of it all with special Back-To-School editions coming out August 7, 14 and 21 and the return of High School GameTime on August 28.

We will also be kicking off Back To School by supporting the new teachers by participating in all of the new teacher receptions put on by the chambers of commerce and school discricts. Stop by and say hello to us at the following events in August:

Friday, Aug. 14 - Community Meet and Greets (more information to come on the locations and times)

Richardson - Thursday, Aug. 20 - Richardson Chamber of Commerce Small Business Round Table

Plano - Monday, Aug. 31 - Swing Fore! Yellow Benefit Golf Tournament at Gleneagles Country Club

Want to see your Back To School news in our print edition? Post your stories and photos to neighborsgo.com!

Come out and hang with the neighborsgo team at the following events in July! Please check our public calendar for more information surrounding these events and many more posted by your neighbors. We hope to see you out there and have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Lakewood - Saturday, July 4 Lakewood 4th of July Parade "Lakewood's Got Talent" www.lakewoodparade.com

Richardson - Saturday, July 4 NeighborsGrow

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/37320

Park Cities - Saturday, July 4th Park Cities Parade and Picnic

McKinney - Saturday, July 4th Red, White and BOOM!

Farmers Branch - Friday, July 3rd Independence Day Celebration

Lake Highlands - Saturday, July 4th Lake Highlands Exchange Club Parade and Carnival