A Change-Maker, a Union Bear, and a Train Robber

LOCAL CHANGE-MAKERS

In the 1960’s story titled “The Star Thrower” an old man watches a young boy throwing starfish, washed ashore during high tide, back into the ocean. Observing the miles of sand ahead of them and the countless starfish being dried in the morning sun, the old man scoffs that the boys efforts cannot possibly make a difference. Gently returning a starfish to the water the young boy said confidently, “It made a difference to that one.” Dr. Myron Wilson finds himself standing on a similar shore, with miles of work ahead, assuredly making a difference to youth in North Texas who have aged out of foster care. “This is an invisible population,” he says with deep compassion evident in his voice. “People don’t realize that this is happening in their own backyard.” While North Texas, and Collin County in particular, enjoys a continued season of prosperity and booming development, some of its youth are being overlooked and left behind…

👉️ CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE! 

LOCAL FOOD HIGHLIGHT

Today’s CollinCounty.com local food highlight hails from Union Bear in Plano, TX

✨ ✨ ✨ 

Union Bear embodies the sleek style of the modern brewery.

An eclectic array of delicious food, no shortage of beverage options, and an atmosphere that is surely to make you want to stay-a-while.

With ample indoor and outdoor seating, this place is an ideal getaway for family, friends and colleagues looking to enjoy a great meal (or a beverage) in an relaxed and stylish atmosphere. ✨ 

With current locations in Plano and Denton, Union Bear is expanding to McKinney in late 2024.

Be sure to stop by and check it out! 🐻 🍻 

👉️ Click here to view their website!

COLLIN COUNTY HISTORY

Did you know that the first train robbery in Texas happened in Allen?! 🚂 

“On Friday, February 22, 1878, the first train robbery in Texas occurred in Allen. Six men robbed the southbound Houston and Texas Central Railroad passenger train when it stopped at the Allen station. While one man held the horses on the west side of the tracks, one man boarded the engine and held a pistol on the engineer. The other four approached the express car which was guarded by James Thomas. After demanding that Thomas open up the door, a short gunfight ensued. The robbers repeated their demands and said if they were not met then they would set fire to the car. Thomas gave up. The robbers ransacked the safe getting $1280.00, mostly in silver coins, and made their escape in a northwesterly direction. This began a string of three more train robberies in the next fifty days all within a twenty mile radius of Dallas. [....]

Suspicion began to fall upon a man named Sam Bass. Bass and his gang had been living in the swamps of Denton County along the banks of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and Hickory Creek. His gang had already robbed a train in Nebraska. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Bass and other members of his gang on April 13, 1878. Feeling pressure from the law, Bass’ gang moved south. They were ambushed in Round Rock, Texas, on July 18, 1878, and he died 3 days later.”

North Texas Giving Day, initiated in 2009 by the Communities Foundation of Texas, is now the largest online giving event in the nation. Each year, this 24-hour philanthropic event unites individuals across North Texas to support thousands of local nonprofits through an easy, accessible donation platform. What started as a regional initiative to foster charitable giving has grown into a movement that raises millions of dollars annually for nonprofits working in a variety of sectors, including education, healthcare, social services, the arts, and environmental conservation.

The event is especially important because it provides smaller nonprofits with a platform to engage with donors, raise awareness, and generate essential funds to keep their operations running. From local food banks and shelters to environmental advocacy groups and community health organizations, North Texas Giving Day makes it easy for people to support causes that align with their passions. Additionally, many nonprofits benefit from matching grants during this event, further amplifying the impact of individual donations.

To learn more or to support your favorite nonprofit, visit North Texas Giving Day's official website.  Make your donations on Thursday September 19th!