In the early 1990s, a band of motley characters came together to benefit children in need ... to help put toys under the Christmas trees, candles in the menorahs, and meals on the holiday tables. We came from all walks of life; lawyers, accountants, teachers, technicians, salesmen; just about every profession you can imagine and our only common thread was the West End Pub. Each year at Christmas time, we came together to collect money and toys for Santa's Helpers ... a charity sponsored by WFAA Channel 8. We continued this effort for several years and finally in November 1998, petitioned and received 501c3 status from the IRS. West End Charities was born! Now, every Spring membership is renewed; nominations are made for the open board of director positions; elections are held; and new board members are seated. To insure continuity, the board rotates on 2 year terms ... one year two board slots are filled, the next year three board slots are filled. These board members receive no compensation for their service and none of the money raised by or donated to West End Charities is spent on administrative costs.

The 2010 - 2011 Board of Directors are:

President: Ben Williams
Vice President: John Leedom
Secretary: Rhonda Thomas
Treasury: Mark Caputo
Membership Chair:
Events Chair: MaryAnn Webster
Technology: Justin Vickers

Our efforts have grown and expanded but our underlying goal is still to help where we can. So along with Santa's Helpers, we now work with the following organizations:

SoupMobile (feeds the Dallas homeless)
Susan B. Komen
Juvenile Diabetes
Dallas Police Department's Adopt-A-Family (holiday adoption)
The Hugs Project (Iraqi troop support)
Fisher House Foundation (military family support)

Many friends have helped us along on our journey ... these are just a few.

David Jennings - Bauart Creative Services
Troy Dungan - Santa's Helpers
Bob Allen & Earl Schuster - West End Pub
Bubba Tomlinson - Tomlinson-Leis Corporation
Rob Lord - Trail Mix Fitness
Ray Lee - Diesel Fitness