Tania and Patrick Foster: Dallas is Love
by Amy Rauch Neilson

It’s often said that any effort is worthwhile if it helps even one person. For Tania and Patrick Foster, multiply that one person by 10. “I once heard that, when you help one person, you touch ten lives,” Tania said. “Through Dallas is Love, my brother and I have come to find that this is true.”

In 2005, brother and sister teamed up to co-found Dallas is Love (www.dallasislove.org), a non-profit organization that converts monetary donations into Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) gift certificates that are sent to U.S. military troops stationed worldwide. In 2006, Dallas is Love expanded to reach out to all four branches of the U.S. military.

Through their efforts, Tania, 19, and Patrick, 16, have truly had a taste of the rewards of giving. “I never imagined being in contact with so many wonderful people – the soldiers and all of the other people who support Dallas is Love,” Tania said. “It’s a good feeling to know that there are so many appreciative people who cherish the smallest things in this world and it is not only touching to those we help, but for us as well.”

To date, Dallas is Love has collected more than $30,000 in merchandise and monetary donations through friends and family as well as local corporations. Some of the organization’s supporters include former Dallas Cowboy Tony Hill, the Dallas Mavericks, the Frisco RoughRiders, Rena Levi, Schick Razors, and the Harold Simmons Foundation.

Answering the Call
In the summer of 2004, the Foster family took a trip to South Korea to visit family. “We had an opportunity to visit outside of a U.S. military base and we realized that though we have service members stationed there, many people don’t realize that.”

During their visit, they passed out AAFES gift cards as well as items autographed by former Dallas Cowboy Tony Hill and various other donated items. “The experience was incredible as we had the opportunity to speak with a number of soldiers, some of whom we had corresponded with via email,” Tania said. “Military public affairs arranged the visit and we also had the opportunity to visit the border of North and South Korea, which was mind-blowing.”

Upon their return to the United States, Tania and Patrick decided they wanted to do more for U.S. soldiers everywhere. “We wanted to show these troops our appreciation for all that they do.” With the help of their community, they founded Dallas is Love.

Building an Organization
Like any college student, Tania, a freshmen at the University of Texas at Dallas, has a lot of demands on her time. Still, she and Patrick, a high school junior, are dedicated to their organization – one which they hope will continue to grow. “We hope to continue to build Dallas is Love to where we are known not only nationally, but worldwide,” Tania said.

She said that one of the organization’s biggest surprises has been the irony that, while Dallas is Love has received so much support, sometimes, gaining support can be the biggest challenge. “When we do have people who believe in our cause, we could not ask for more,” she said. “Yet, at the same time, it’s not always easy to convince most people that Dallas is Love is legitimate.”

Tania and Patrick are hoping for extra support this holiday season. “Currently Dallas is Love is raising money for the upcoming holiday season so we may support as many troops as possible and help them feel a bit closer to home over the holidays while out of the country away from their families,” Tania said.

To find out how you can support Tania and Patrick’s efforts this holiday season and throughout the year, visit the Dallas is Love website at: www.dallasislove.org.