Volunteer Center of North Texas, Dallas

Volunteer Center of North Texas (VCNT) exemplifies what it means to work together. More than 40 years ago, the four founders of VCNT wanted to help the community, believing that, if they could do good deeds, it would cause a ripple effect throughout the town, surrounding counties, and even the state. They were right. Today, more than 24,000 active volunteers lend their skills, manpower, and creativity to the VCNT, serving a range of nonprofit causes, from food pantries and shelters to elderly care and animal advocacy. Every year volunteers log more than 600,000 hours of work that's worth about $23 million to the North Texas economy.