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"Taking the time, Real estate is his business, but charity is his passion"

By Bob Mahlburg, March 25, 1991

Reprint Courtesy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

FORT WORTH - As a man whose fortunes are tied to the tumultuous Texas real estate market, Tom Wilder knows plenty about economic ups and downs.

But while some executives reduce civic commitments to focus more on business, the Euless real estate broker is devoting more time to various charity projects - promoting drug education, fighting crime, and cutting costs for Northeast Tarrant County school districts.

"If I've had a bad week in the real estate business, it [charity work] is something I can do and enjoy," Wilder explains. "We are going through some tough times in the real estate business, but it sort of acts as an anchor in my life. It's a salve for my wounds, I guess."

Wilder's most recent project, as program co-chairman for the massive "Spirit of America" rally at Texas Stadium honoring U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf, is among his most satisfying endeavors yet, he says.

Billed as the country's largest "thank you" rally, the celebration attracted more than 30,000 people and drew widespread praise - from Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen to taped messages from President Bush and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf.

It was a day filled with flag waving, hugs and tears.

Drill teams from high schools waved banners and giant yellow ribbons draped the stadium. There was music from the Texas A&M band and country singer Lee Greenwod singing God Bless the U.S.A.

"It gave me a great feeing of satisfaction," says Wilder, 47. "We had Vietnam veterans out there who were spit upon when they returned. It was great to see them have their day in the sun. We felt the mood of the country was such that we really needed to make this statement and say there really is something worth fighting for."

Wilder, a commercial real estate broker who owns his own firm, was among the original organizers of the rally. He also co-headed planning for rally events.

"I was planning a rally myself and someone told me Rotary was looking at one and being a lifelong Rotarian I decided to make it one big one," Wilder recalled.

Wilder says he worked up to 15 hours a week for six weeks on the rally and is still editting an elaborate video production that will be sent to troops still abroad. More than 60 sponsors were recruited, raising $230,000 to stage the event. Any leftover money will go to miliary families, he said.

"We hoped to attract national attention and we did," Wilder said. "Of course, when we started planning this, the war wasn't anywhere near over. The ground war hadn't begun. We just wanted Saddam Hussein and everyone to see there was a lot of support for our troops."

The rally is just one of a string of projects Wilder keeps juggling.

Wilder also serves on the board of advisors for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in the Birdville Independent School District. He also has been president of the Hurst Pacesetters Rotary Club, served on the board of Tarrrant County Crime Stoppers Inc. and is a member of Texans Against Crime.

Wilder is part of the Northeast Leaders Program, an innovative school program made up of city, county, state and business leaders who joined forces in October to find ways to reduce energy and purchasing costs for six northeast Tarrant County school districts.

And he has spent hours working for Associated Texans Against Crime and the Northeast Richland Lions Club, which manages a Christmas food and toy collection program fo needy families.

His secret involves devoting long hours and weekends, including many early morning meetings, he says.

"Many years ago, I attended a seminar on time management by a guy who said if you need something done, find someone who looks busy because they have learned time management."

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