The Texas Bowl presented a check to DePelchin Children's Center at the center's annual spring luncheon on Tuesday, donating $75,000 from the proceeds of the 2008 game, which pitted Rice against Western Michigan.
In front of a crowd of 58,880, most of whom were rooting for Rice, the Owls won 38-14 to cap off the school's first 10-win season since 1949. A standout in the game, James Casey, was selected by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
DePelchin Children's Center was named as the Texas Bowl's official charitable beneficiary in 2006. Over its three-year history, the Texas Bowl has donated over $200,000 to the center and over $5 million in promotional support and publicity.
"They are Houston's oldest charity, so we started with an organization with a great heritage," Texans president Jamey Rootes said. "They do such fantastic work in the community. For us to have the opportunity to generate over $200,000 in cash plus millions of dollars in promotional support - the game is a great game, but it's for a greater purpose and that is to impact the kids in the community here in Houston."
Founded in 1892 by Kezia Payne DePelchin, the center is the largest and most comprehensive provider of children's social and mental health services in the Houston area. DePelchin Children's Center serves 27,000 children and family members annually through 30 programs, including adoption, foster care, counseling and drug and alcohol prevention.
The agency was originally founded to serve as a shelter for orphaned children, and has grown and changed over its century-plus history to continue to meet the needs of the greater Houston community. Today, DePelchin Children's Center has over 60 locations in Harris, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Ft. Bend and Waller counties.
"DePelchin is immensely honored and grateful to have been a part of the Texas Bowl the last three years," said Curtis C. Mooney, Ph.D., DePelchin president and CEO. "Not only has our involvement resulted in generous monetary donations, it has greatly increased awareness of DePelchin and allowed our children and families to attend the game, meet the players and experience the excitement of college football. I extend my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to everyone associated with the Texas Bowl for their generous support."
