“I’ve always believed that the best way to create lasting change is to give people the tools they need to help themselves, and there’s no better place for opportunity than Dallas, Texas. When I stepped off the train in Downtown Dallas in 1938, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven, and I quickly learned that the entrepreneurial, can-do spirit of our city is like no other in the world.
“My first thought for the $1 million gift was to divide it up amongst several great causes, but then I realized that was against Jeanne’s rules. Because she also asks for the gift to focus specifically on the betterment of Dallas, I would choose to give my $1 million gift to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. I think this would be the best use of the dollars because United Way supports 125 exceptional programs right here in our community that prepare children to graduate and succeed, help families leave poverty permanently, and enable people to live healthy, responsible lives. I also love that United Way magnifies the impact of every donation by coordinating efforts by people and organizations across this community and providing opportunities for anyone to volunteer to help. We must remember that volunteering is just as impactful, if not more so, than a monetary donation. No matter the size of your bank account, everyone can volunteer and make a difference in someone’s life. My late husband Maurice Acers had a sign on his desk until the day he died that said, “Do Something for Someone Every Day” and he did. That’s something I try to do each day also. He was the most wonderful man I have ever known and I think if we all followed his example of doing for others, the benefit to our community and our world would be immeasurable.
“I would like to add that while this Benevolent Benefactor series is for an imaginary gift of $1 million, I am so proud to say that in reality, my Associates at The Ebby Halliday Family of Companies have given more than $1.2 million to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas since 1999. One of the founding principles of our company is service to the community, and to honor that each year, every one of our offices coordinates various activities and events to raise money for United Way. That is truly one of our company traditions that I’m most proud of. “
-Ebby Halliday Acers
Photo credit: Dana Driensky