Larry Toon is as surprised as anyone that Elizabeth Toon Charities is 20 years old.
The University Park resident oversaw the nonprofit’s creation in 2007. It was born out of a desire to honor the life and legacy of his daughter, Elizabeth, a Highland Park High School graduate who was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver in 2006.
“It’s very surreal,” Toon said. “Elizabeth was 22. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years. I think about her every day. We include her in every family event we have. She’s still here with us.”
Founded on the principles of faith, hope, and love, Elizabeth Toon Charities supports organizations that provide education, assistance, therapy, and comfort to children and their families who have been impacted by abuse, grief, poverty, disabilities, and terminal illnesses.
“It was a handful of her dear friends who came to me and said, we would like to start this charity and do a fundraiser this year,” Toon recalled of the organization’s founding. “(Elizabeth) loved children.”
Elizabeth Toon Charities held its first sporting clay event at Elm Fork Shooting Sports. The event was moved to the Dallas Gun Club for its second year. Because Elizabeth was a big fan of Texas country music, the nonprofit also decided to add a concert.
This May’s 20th annual Concert and Clay Shoot featured country artist Wade Bowen, who performed at Gilley’s. Its title sponsors were JLL and Permian Resources.
Since its founding, Elizabeth Toon Charities has raised more than $9.5 million for Dallas area children’s charities. The nonprofit initially aimed to give substantial assistance to a smaller number of groups.
“Then, over the next couple of years, we saw that there was so much need out there that we said, ‘why don’t we give less to a lot?’” explained Toon, who serves as chairman of the nonprofit’s board.
In 2026, Elizabeth Toon Charities will aid 16 beneficiaries, including Equest, Hugs Café, Community Partners of Dallas, Dallas LIFE, and the Dallas Leadership Foundation. The nonprofit also annually supports its partner charities, Camp John Marc, the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, The Ashford Rise School of Dallas, and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
“I think every year is memorable because of the different organizations we’ve been able to get to,” Toon reflected. “We’ve met so many wonderful families over the years.”
Toon called the area an “amazing place.”
“This community is pretty darn incredible,” he noted thankfully. “And it’s had more than its share of loss. It has a way of just pouring itself onto you. And continues it. They don’t forget.”
“I’m not getting any younger,” Toon said, smiling, when asked about the future of Elizabeth Toon Charities. “We just kind of rallied up every year and said, ‘let’s do it again.’ And we’ve had a ton of support. We couldn’t do it without literally hundreds of people who help every year. They contribute, they donate, they spend their time. God willing, we’ll do it again next year.”
Author
Josh Hickman
Josh Hickman is a national award-winning journalist, visual artist, sometime musician, and author of seven books. His writing For People Newspapers often focuses on arts & culture, local small businesses, local history & government, and interesting personal stories. His paintings include a commission for Dallas County and a donation to Parkland Memorial Hospital.
