Thursday was a day of giving in Arlington as members of the nonprofit community watched River Legacy Park, Covenant House and Arlington Museum of Art walk away with grants totaling $70,000 during the first-ever Arlington Gives! event, which helped commemorate North Texas Giving Day.

Things got off to a rousing start as Chris Hightower, executive director for Arlington Museum of Art, went on stage to receive a $50,000 grant from Women Inspiring Philanthropy.

Moments later, Total Wine & More presented a $10,000 gift to Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, the City of Arlington's philanthropic arm. The Foundation then gave the money to Covenant Kids, a local organization that supports at-risk kids. Mayor Robert Cluck invited Christian Jewell, a student at Green Oaks School, to join him on stage during the check presentation.

Another one of the city's treasures, the River Legacy Foundation, was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation to help expand its educational program offerings.

People in attendance enjoyed free breakfast items, plus appearance by band members, football players and cheerleaders from Pantego Christian Academy.

To directly support the City's 66 nonprofits taking part in North Texas Giving Day, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, along with Women Inspiring Philanthropy, Downtown Arlington Management Corp., and the City, worked together with Friends of the Levitt Pavilion to create this rally honoring Arlington nonprofits.

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation is also awarding four $5,000 grants to nonprofits in Arlington that have the most unique donors through the North Texas Giving Day website during four different time periods: 6 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and 6 p.m. to midnight. MyArlingtonTx.com will announce the winners on Friday, Sept. 19.

Since its inception in 2007, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation has awarded more than 320 grants worth more than $9 million to local groups and projects.

Donors can take part in North Texas Giving Day through midnight Thursday, Sept.18. The event is organized and operated by Dallas-based Communities Foundation of Texas. In 2013, Tarrant County nonprofits raised $4.3 million through North Texas Giving Day.

Any monetary gift is welcome, but any gift over $25 qualifies for bonus funds. Get more information on how to donate here: northtexasgivingday.org.

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