US$1million has been donated to the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) to help rebuild the Thomas Jefferson High School football field and replace football equipment lost when tornadoes struck the North Texas area earlier this month.
The donation comes from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation and the NFL Foundation to the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD).
“Our family, the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL Foundation are proud to be a part of this announcement today,” said Charlotte Jones Anderson, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer, and chair of the NFL Foundation.
“We are saddened by the devastation that these storms brought upon our community, and we are eager and determined to help get the rebuilding process started. We reached this decision after consulting with the Dallas ISD leadership and hearing their input as to how we could help in an area of need that wouldn’t necessarily be covered by government funding.”
“We appreciate and fully support the Dallas Cowboys help in rebuilding the athletic and football field at Thomas Jefferson High School, a place where so many of the high school students gather to practice their sport, band, drill team and cheerleading,” said Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. “Often the importance of what athletics brings to the student body can be overlooked in instances like what we are facing. It’s nice to know that we have a community partner in the Cowboys that is stepping in to help here.”
The Dallas Cowboys have engaged Hellas Construction, the official turf provider of the Dallas Cowboys, to partner with the team and Dallas ISD on the rebuilding project.
“Athletics play such a key role in the growth and development of our youth, but the funding for quality programs and facilities is often overlooked or underdeveloped—especially in times of hardship,” added Jones Anderson. “This gift will help the students and athletes of Thomas Jefferson to be able to continue to grow, compete and enjoy the benefits of sports, and related school activities, for generations to come.”
