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Announcing
the Austin Ventures Entrepreneur Holiday Matching Grant
benefiting the Season for Caring program
 
Austin
Ventures will match (1:1) contributions, up to a total of $50,000, to
the Austin American Statesman's Season of Caring program from Austin's
entrepreneurial community. This program recognizes 12 local
families facing financial hardships needing help during the holidays.
Each family in the Austin American-Statesman's annual Season for
Caring campaign has been nominated by a respected Central Texas
community service organization. Every penny you give will be disbursed
to these organizations through the nonprofit Austin Community
Foundation. Donations in excess of what's needed to help the 12
selected families featured will be used by the nonprofit agencies to
help other needy Central Texas families. Your donation to the
Austin Community Foundation's Season for Caring for program is
100% tax deductible.
To learn more about the Season for Caring program and the community service organizations involved, go to Austin American-Statesman for more information.
To contribute, you may donate on-line at www.givetoaustin.org/av_match or send your check payable to Season for Caring to:
Austin Ventures Entrepreneur Holiday Matching Grant
c/o EFCT
P.O. Box 684826
Austin, Texas 78768
For additional information, feel free to email AVchallenge@givetoaustin.org or call 512.482.8894.
Donation deadline: January 15th
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Holiday Giving Opportunities
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Volunteer Opportunities: Interact with the elderly
during the holiday season at our Adult Day Center. Assist with holiday
activities, playing games, crafts, Christmas carols, and talking with
seniors. Great volunteer opportunity with your child. Located in
Central Austin. M-F day time opportunity only.
In Kind Donations Appreciated:
Help our seniors stay safe and independent. Our lending closet has a
waiting list of over 30 seniors who need the following items: Shower Chairs, Wheelchairs, or Tub transfer benches.
These items help seniors be more independent and safe in their own
home. Many of our Austin seniors are on a fixed income, a holiday gift
of gift cards to HEB or Target are a great present for seniors who need every day items such as groceries and toiletries. |
| Volunteer Opportunity:
Imagine you're a kid, and all you've asked for Christmas is to have a
Big Brother or Big Sister. You've waited patiently for two years
to get one, and nothing would make your holiday special like knowing
that you have a Big. Wouldn't you want to do that for a
child? When everyone is running around spending money this
holiday season, you will be assured that you are doing something that
truly celebrates the season of giving and feeds the soul. Become a Big Brother Big Sister of Central Texas!
Our mission is to help children reach their potential through
professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships. There is
an immediate need for our School-Based program. The children in our
program ages range from 6-16. We match "Bigs" and "Littles" based on
mutual interests. With the school-based program volunteers will spend
time with their "Little Brother or Little Sister" an hour a week
eatinig lunch, doing homework, or just talking during the school year. |
Any
Baby Can's (ABC) mission is to ensure that all children reach their
potential through education, therapy and family support services. Each
year we bring help and hope to more than 5,000 of our community's
youngest, sickest and poorest children and their families.
Volunteer Opportunities: Our Holiday Giving Program, which allows sponsors to 'adopt' an ABC family for the holidays, needs Santa's Helper Volunteers to assist ABC staff with gift deliveries and pick-ups on December 10-12! Large vehicles are welcomed. We also need volunteer support for our client Holiday Party on December 18. Volunteers will help with greeting, registration, taking pictures and more.
In-Kind Donations Appreciated: Another way to support ABC is by bringing in new 'hard toys' for children age infant to 10 years old. Toys need to be delivered to ABC's offices by December 14. |
Brown
Santa is a community service program of the Travis County Sheriff's
Office, and the many sponsors and volunteers who make it happen each
year.
Volunteer Opportunities: Individual volunteers may drop in at their convenience to wrap presents and pack bags during hours of operation. Space is limited so groups of 4 or more will to call or email in advance to reserve a date/time.
In Kind Donation Appreciated: We accept all non-perishable food times in unopened containers.
Some of the main items that are in every food box and needed are;
corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, instant potatoes, stuffing mix,
cake mix and cake icing. Check our website to view the donation barrel
locations. |
The
Capital Area Food Bank of Texas (CAFB) invites you to help "Turn Hungry
Holidays into Happy Holidays" for thousands of Central Texans by giving
back this season:
Volunteer Opportunity: There's No Place like CAFB for the Holidays. The Food Bank is open for volunteering on Christmas Day,
Tuesday, Dec. 25 for two shifts: 1 - 3:30 p.m. and 3 - 5:30 p.m.
Volunteers 13 years of age and older are welcome to help sort, inspect
and box holiday food donations.
Give Cards that Give Back:
Honor your friends, family, and/or business associates with a gift to
the Food Bank. Your holiday season will be less hectic, and your
generosity will feed families facing hunger in our community. The cards
will make a statement, featuring your message of good will and support
of those in need. |
| In Kind Donation Appreciated:
The holidays are soon forgotten by our children and families because of
the trauma and anguish of abuse. Our holiday list gives you the
opportunity to put the joy of the season in the hearts of parents and
children throughout the year. The Center needs blank, recordable DVD+Rs to record children's statements about their abuse and injuries; warm, child-sized blankets, art supplies and dolls for play therapy, and new, small stuffed teddy bears to comfort children in times of trauma. |
The
purpose of The Christmas Bureau of Austin & Travis County is to
reach all families who are in need and may have only the barest of
necessities at Christmas time. Founded in 1964, we serve as an umbrella
organization encompassing all community groups and citizens who work
together in giving to the needy during the Christmas season. The Bureau
matches needy families with agencies/sponsors who provide a suitable
meal and/or toys and gifts to the applicants.
In Kind Donations Appreciated: Sponsoring a family means providing a suitable uncooked holiday meal and/or toys for
the children. We ask for you to contact the family within 24-48 hours
and share with them the date and time you plan on delivering during the
week before Christmas.
Volunteer Opportunities: Answering Phone Calls.
The Bureau will receive many calls from people wanting to sponsor a
family. You can assist in answering their basic questions and match
them with a family in need. Filing Applications.You can assist us in filing the application numerically and alphabetically at our office. Preparing Gift Baskets.The
Bureau welcomes donations of non-perishable food and toys. Beginning
Friday, December 15th we need help in putting the Gift Baskets together
for families. Delivery.
Beginning Saturday, December 16th we need volunteers to deliver the
donated non-perishable food and toys to families throughout Travis
County. |
| In Kind Donation Appreciated: Coats for Kids 21st Annual Distribution Day, where over 30,000 new and gently used warm winter coats
will be given out to the children of Central Texas. If you are
interested in donating a coat please take them to any area Jack Brown
Cleaners on or before, Wednesday, December 5th. December 8, 2007, 8:00
a.m. - 3:00 p.m., at the Palmer Events Center. |
| In Kind Donations Appreciated:
Communities in Schools is Central Texas' leading dropout prevention
program. There are many ways for you to help bring much needed joy into
the lives of CIS' families and students. Sponsor a family or host a
cheerful holiday party. |
Volunteer Opportunity:
Make the Holidays Brighter this year for those in need! Family
Eldercare is now coordinating the 2007 Holiday Giving Drive and is in
need of volunteers to sponsor, wrap and deliver gifts. Volunteer groups can schedule a gift delivery day between December 10th and 15th.
With your support, Family Eldercare hopes to provide a special holiday
gift to more than 300 low-income elderly and adults with disabilities
who would otherwise not receive gifts this holiday season.
For
twenty five years, Family Eldercare has been providing essential
services for elders, adults with disabilities, and those who care for
them and currently serves over 5,500 individuals each year. Through an
array of community based services, Family Eldercare seeks to prolong
independent living in the least restrictive environment, and to promote
the health, well-being, and dignity of our clients and their caregivers. |
In-kind Donations Appreciated:
Foundation Communities provides affordable housing and supportive
services for low-income families and individuals in Austin. Our Holiday Giving program matches households in need with a sponsor that provides gifts, food and other necessities.
All
residents have the opportunity to apply for assistance. Families
with the greatest need are matched with sponsors who receive a wish list that includes the families' needs.
Sponsors
make a huge impact on the spirit of the holidays for many
families. Unfortunately, the number of those seeking assistance
often exceeds the number of sponsors. We also provide holiday baskets for some residents that do not receive sponsorship. The holiday baskets consist of food, gift cards and toys/gifts for the children.
Assisting with donations for these baskets is an alternative to
sponsorship and a great way to help our families during the holidays. |
| In Kind Donation Appreciated: Shop for your holiday gifts and support Girlstart programs! Girlstart will have a gift-wrapping table at Book People on November 30th from 4-8pm, December 12 from 8-11pm, and December 16th
from 9am-12pm. Pick up some books for those on your holiday list,
get them wrapped by a Girlstart volunteer, and any tip you leave them
will go toward Girlstart programs! |
Volunteer Opportunity:
Want to brighten the holidays for the animals, staff and patrons of the
Humane Society of Williamson County (HSWC). We're looking for a
group or individual to decorate our shelter,
both inside and outside, for the holidays. Group or individual
would need to supply the decorations and commit to putting up and
taking down the decorations.
In-Kind Donations Appreciated:
Would you like to help the homeless cats and dogs at the Humane Society
of Williamson County this holiday season? We have a great group
opportunity to conduct a holiday donation drive for the Humane Society
of Williamson County (HSWC) in your neighborhood or workplace.
Want to help the kitties? You can help our cats and kittens by
holding a cat litter drive. We need non-clumping, inexpensive cat litter in large quantities. Want to help the dogs? We are in need of Martingale type collars (no-slip collars), in medium and large sizes and regular clip on style leashes in any size. |
Greetings
from Lifelong Friends Pet Adoptions (formerly Lago Vista PAWS)! We are
an independently-owned, no-kill animal shelter.
In Kind Donations Appreciated: We are having our annual holiday donation drive. Our
animals need blankets (without fill; not electric), Nyla Bones, Kong
Toys, canned food, medium/large crates and carriers, and many other
things. Please visit our website to see the entire holiday wish list.
We
are always short-handed, particularly around the holidays. We need
volunteers to care for our cats and dogs. We provide care for our
shelter animals twice a day, seven days a week. Cat caregivers must be
at least 13 years old, and dog caregivers must be at least 16. Minors
must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. |
| In Kind Donations Appreciated:
Make this season bright by participating in LifeWorks PROJECT HOLIDAY
HELP! LifeWorks will have over 400 youth and families in crisis over
the holidays. Project Holiday Help matches donors with an individual or family
from one of the LifeWorks programs. Project Holiday Help donors
receive a wish list of gift items prepared by the client; we
respectfully suggest that donors spend between $50-$150 per
individual/family member. Another opportunity to help is through
our Street Outreach Backpack Drive. We hope for this holiday season to provide 100 adult backpacks (dark colors) filled with basic supplies (socks, hat, gloves, sleeping bag, toiletries) for homeless youth living on the streets. Gift cards,
in any denomination, at one of the large retail stores (Target,
Wal-Mart, HEB, Randalls) are greatly needed to provide basic essentials
for youth in need. |
Long Center for the Performing Arts
The Long Center for the Performing Arts is only months
away from its spring opening. This world class facility will be the new
home for the Symphony, Opera, and Ballet, in addition to small and mid-size
arts groups, regional artists, and will serve as a cultural campus for area
students. Play your part in the grand opening experience by volunteering
your time this holiday season.
Volunteer Opporunity: Volunteers are needed to help man a booth at the
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, December 12-26 (multiple shifts available).
Visit with fellow Austinites and share information about the Long Center and
how they can be more involved in this groundbreaking facility. |
In Kind Donations Appreciated: Adopt a Child or Family for the Holidays.
Your holiday spirit can brighten the holidays for a low income child or
family at Mainspring Schools. You can adopt an individual child or the
whole family and provide gifts (practical and fun), the holiday meal, or household items.
We will supply sizes and wish lists. All of our families are
low-income, working poor, who struggle to provide the basics for their
children.
Be the Book Fairy.
We cannot have enough books for youngsters! Board books last best and
many popular titles are now available in board books. The giant-sized books
are also great for reading to groups of children. It is also great to
be able to send home books because so many of our families simply do
not have the resources to buy books.
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Since
1972, Operation Blue Santa has delivered toys and food to thousands of
family in need, helping the Austin community clebrate the magic of the
holiday season.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Operation Blue Santa welcomes the help of all volunteers. Individuals
who wish to volunteer may drop in at their convenience during operation
hours. Due to the large volume of volunteers we request that you keep
your group volunteer time to a maximum of 2 hours.
In Kind Donations Appreciated: Operation Blue Santa accepts new unwrapped toys, books and stuffed animals.
We do not accept or give out toy weapons of any kind. We provide
each child with 2 toys, a book, stuffed animal and stocking
stuffers. We recommend donations be made by Dec. 10th to
ensure enough time to sort and package the toys. Based on current
trends, toys are needed for the 1-2 year olds & 10-14 year old,
boys and girls. Toys needed: balls/athletic equipment, building blocks,
art supplies, board games, walk-man radios, watches & beauty
products. Also, we ask that if a toy needs batteries, please
include them with your item. |
In Kind Donations Appreciated:
Phoenix Academy of Austin, a Program of Phoenix House will have
approximately 40 teenagers during the holiday season. To make their
holidays memorable since they will be residing us we are seeking the
following in kind contributions. Wrapping paper, ribbon/bow's, gift boxes/bags, gift tags, 40 stockings, gift certificates to McDonalds/Taco Bell, 4 artificial trees/decorations, gift cards to be used as gifts or for purchasing gifts at Target, Barton Creek Mall, Academy Sports, and a perfume outlet store, desk top frames with plastic insert (versus glass). Stocking stuffers such as yoyo's and journals.
Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteers will be needed to sort and wrap the week before Christmas.
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Event: On Thursday, December 13 from 5-8 PM, we will
be hosting our 18th annual Lights of Love in conjunction with the Grand
Opening of our newly constructed house. Not only has Lights of Love become
an Austin tradition complete with holiday carolers, refreshments, and
photos with both Ronald McDonald and Santa, but the new Ronald McDonald
House will be opening to the Austin community for the very first time.
We will also be serving hors d'oeuvres and desserts from local restaurants,
and entertainment will be provided by the Austin Collins Band. |
In Kind Donations Apreciated: The
Holidays are a difficult time for families who have come to SafePlace.
Loneliness, homelessness and a lack of resources make it difficult for
families to celebrate the Holidays. The Holiday Giving Program allows
the community to:
Sponsor a Family -
Be matched with a family, receive a holiday list they created and this
can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and a deserving
family.
Give to the Holiday Wish List
- Many will come to the shelter too late to participate in the Sponsor
a Family program, therefore your gift from the Holiday Wish List makes
a huge difference in someone's Holiday!
Volunteer Opportunity: SafePlace Holiday Helpers
- SafePlace needs many volunteers to help our Holiday Giving Program
run smoothly, by matching families with sponsors, greeting donors,
accepting gifts, organizing and passing out gifts to deserving
families. |
In Kind Donation Appreciated:
The homeless pets at Town Lake Animal Center are on Santa's "Nice"
list. Wish List of items needed so their stockings can be filled
by Santa. New items: Treats
& rawhide chews for the dogs, Canned cat food (rather than dry
food), Canned dog food (rather than dry food), "KONG" type toys for the
dogs, Fleece material for making cat & dog beds, Dog and cat toys
of all types. Gently used items are helpful: Towels, Bath mats & Blankets, Newspaper, Pet collars, Shampoo, Dog and cat treats.
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Let us know how we can help with your company's community involvement activities. Contact Amanda for details.
Amanda Chiampi
Program Manager
Entrepreneurs Foundation
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