Press Release

TaxAct Texas Bowl Gives Record Annual Donation to DePelchin

TaxAct Texas Bowl Surpasses $2.5 Million in Total Giving

TaxAct Texas Bowl Gives Record Annual Donation to DePelchin Children’s Center

TaxAct Texas Bowl Surpasses $2.5 Million in Total Giving 

HOUSTON – Today, the TaxAct Texas Bowl, in partnership with the Houston Texans Foundation, announced another record donation of $225,000 to the DePelchin Children's Center, marking the second consecutive year the Bowl has donated $225,000 to the children’s center. Since selecting DePelchin as its charitable beneficiary in 2006, the Bowl has provided over $2.5 million in direct financial support and millions more in promotional support. This is the 12th-straight year the Bowl has provided a gift of $100,000 or more. 

The Bowl presented the check to Jenifer Jarriel, President and CEO of DePelchin Children’s Center at their Houston Main Campus. 

“On behalf of the board, staff, and families served at DePelchin Children's Center, we are so thankful for our long-standing partnership with the TaxAct Texas Bowl,” said Jarriel. “Over the last 18 years, our friends at the Bowl have not only provided more than $2.5 million dollars to support and sustain children in our community, but they have given families memories that will last a lifetime by hosting fun events and gameday experiences. We are excited to see what more is to come from our amazing partnership.”

“This year’s record donation exemplifies the strength of the long-term relationship between the TaxAct Texas Bowl and DePelchin Children’s Center,” said TaxAct Texas Bowl Board Chair and President of Doris Engineering, Jim Fairbairn.  “The various programs that DePelchin brings to our community in helping children and their families is a critical service that the TaxAct Texas Bowl strongly supports. We are fortunate to have the exceptional backing of our sponsors, partners, fans, and board members to facilitate this record donation. Seeing the many success stories of the local children and families who benefit from these programs is truly satisfying and encourages us to continue to build on this relationship for years to come.”

Beyond financial and promotional support, the TaxAct Texas Bowl provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to families within the DePelchin network including field days with participating teams, tickets to the game, and on-field recognition.

“Our ability to directly put a smile on the faces of children from across the Houston-area through so many different ways is one of the most rewarding pieces of our partnership,” said TaxAct Texas Bowl Executive Director David Fletcher. “We appreciate the efforts of past Chair Sarah Frazier, new Chair Jim Fairbairn, our entire Board and all those who have assisted in creating these opportunities through raising funds, creating memorable experiences and supporting such a meaningful cause in DePelchin.”  

Founded in 1892 by Kezia Payne DePelchin, DePelchin Children’s Center is an accredited foster care and adoption agency serving the most vulnerable children and families in Texas and working to break the cycles of abuse and neglect. DePelchin’s approach to caring for kids integrates at-risk prevention, foster care, adoption and post-adoption programs to improve the mental health and physical well-being of children who are at risk of entering or are in the State’s child welfare system.

The 2024 TaxAct Texas Bowl will mark the events 11th year of affiliation with the Big 12 and the SEC. In the 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl, Oklahoma State claimed a 31-23 victory over Texas A&M. Cowboys WR Rashod Owens earned MVP honors after hauling in 10 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The game welcomed 55,212 fans to NRG Stadium and had a total live audience of 3.2 million viewers.

About the TaxAct Texas Bowl

Entering its 18th year, the TaxAct Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since 2016, the TaxAct Texas Bowl has the fifth-highest attendance among all college football bowls, trailing only the Rose, Peach, Fiesta and Orange bowls. The TaxAct Texas Bowl and its sister event, the Texas Kickoff, have historically combined to create an economic impact of close to $80 million annually for the city of Houston while raising over $2.5 million in financial support and millions more in promotional support for DePelchin Children’s Center, Houston’s oldest children’s charity and the bowl’s official charitable beneficiary.