Thirty-seven Rockwall County nonprofits are asking neighbors to open their wallets as the 18th annual North Texas Giving Day campaign launches Thursday, Aug. 27, with online donations accepted through Thursday, Sept. 17.

The local organizations span 17 cause categories, including Patriot Paws' service-dog training, Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County and Rockwall County Helping Hands' social services programs. Donors can search any participating group by name at northtexasgivingday.org and give online through Sept. 17.

The campaign wraps with a Rock the Block community event at The Harbor in Rockwall on Sept. 17 starting at 5 p.m. The block party will feature live music, a dunk tank, face painting, games, prizes and giveaways, according to organizer Selah Creek's event listing.

Wayne White, president and CEO of the Communities Foundation of Texas, which organizes the regionwide effort, said the annual drive makes it easy for donors to support causes they care about. "Last year, $78 million was raised through Giving Day, showcasing the generosity of North Texans in making a world of a difference in our corner of the world," White told CW33 on Aug. 24.

The numbers back him up. Across 20 North Texas counties, more than 3,300 nonprofits are participating this year, and since 2009 the annual drive has raised more than $712 million for the region.

Locally, the roster covers ground that touches nearly every corner of community life. Animal rescue groups include Rockwall Adoption Center, Lone Star Underdogs Animal Rescue, Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, Rockwall PAWS and The Pawerful Rescue. Arts organizations such as Rockwall Community Playhouse, Rockwall Summer Musicals, Rockwall Artists League and Rockwall Community Band are listed alongside youth-focused groups like Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas and the Northeast Texas Children's Museum.

Organizations addressing domestic violence (Women in Need, Lone Star CASA), affordable healthcare (Grace Clinic – Rockwall County), food and shelter (Glows Community Lighthouse) and grief counseling (Hope Dawning) round out the county's participants, as reported by the Royse City Herald-Banner.

How to give: Visit northtexasgivingday.org, search by organization name and donate any amount. The giving window runs through Sept. 17.