Bell Nunnally Partner R. Heath Cheek is featured in the D Magazine article “The Honor of Paying it Forward,” detailing his multi-year commitment to the State Fair of Texas’ Youth Livestock Auction. Monies raised through the auction further the State Fair’s philanthropic efforts to provide scholarships for inner-city Dallas and rural Texas students attending in-state colleges and universities, as well as supporting youth agricultural projects throughout the state.
The article details how Cheek, who grew up in Chillicothe, Tex., annually attended the State Fair and participated in the auction – putting earnings towards his college fund. “I grew up very poor, and I’m a first-generation college student. I would not have been able to go to college if it hadn’t been for the generosity of scholarship donors and people who supported me,” said Cheek.
In 2021, the State Fair raised $1.8 million for approximately 200 children. The author notes that it is on pace this year to exceed that amount. “It’s cool to see each of them become little livestock entrepreneurs and help them go to college or set up their careers,” said Cheek of the auction participants.
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