DePelchin a Big Winner as Charitable Beneficiary of Texas Bowl

May 1, 2008

A college bowl record crowd of 62,097 converged on Reliant Stadium to watch the University of Houston Cougars take on the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in the second annual Texas Bowl on December 28, 2007.

As the charitable beneficiary of the event, DePelchin Children’s Center received a donation of $70,000 from the Texas Bowl, as well as $10,000 from AIG American General, a new corporate sponsor, which committed to a three-year partnership with the Texas Bowl to help raise funds for DePelchin. AIG, ranked one of the top insurance providers in North America, served as the presenting sponsor of Touchdowns For Texans, donating $1,000 for each touchdown scored during the 2007 game. In addition to the cash donation generated by Touchdowns For Texans, AIG also contributed 500 tickets to DePelchin so that the agency’s youth and families could attend the Texas Bowl.

“We are delighted to partner with the Texas Bowl to benefit DePelchin Children’s Center,” said Matthew Winter, president and CEO of AIG American General. “The important work done each day by the great people at DePelchin has a direct impact on the lives of so many in our community. All of us at AIG take great pride in supporting such a worthy and impressive organization.”

In addition to the monetary proceeds received from the Texas Bowl, DePelchin received free publicity valued at $1.7 million. The agency also took part in TexFest, a pregame party featuring live music, food, games and family activities. Prior to the game, players from both teams visited DePelchin and spent time interacting with the youth, signing autographs, posing for photos and distributing gifts.

Despite an intense rally by the Houston Cougars in the closing minutes of the game, the TCU Horned Frogs pulled out a 20-13 victory in what has quickly become one of football’s premier Bowl games.

“DePelchin is immensely honored and grateful to have been a part of the Texas Bowl the last two 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 and to AIG for their generous support.”

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