Ahhhh, ready or not, the magical holiday season has arrived! My family and I are blessed beyond measure. For me personally, I am overflowing with blessings that I sometimes pinch myself to make sure it's real. I will soon be retiring from one career after 20 years and my next journey has already begun. I am not exaggerating when I say "it literally fell in my back yard."
What are you thankful for?
Let's pay it forward and give back whenever and with whatever we can...there are amazing volunteer opportunities and events the also give back!
Specifically for National Family Volunteer Day on November 23:
Families Give Back @ Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
Generation Serve invites your family to sample hands-on volunteer projects that are kid-friendly and will make a big impact for organizations such as For Every Child, Inc., Communities in Schools Central Texas, Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas, Caritas of Austin, The Dog Alliance, and many more. All ages are welcome! It’s a great intro to volunteering and a nice way to find an organization that might be a great fit for your family’s interest. Pre-register for the event at generationserve.org/familyvolunteerday.
Round Rock Family Volunteer Day@ The BACA Center
This volunteer day is perfect for ages 1-100! On site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the event goes until 12:30 p.m. (but staying to 2:30 to help clean would be more than appreciated). You can help support causes like Meals on Wheels, Hope Alliance, and many more. Click here to sign up!
All ages can get involved on Family Volunteer Day!
More Ways to Give Back this November:
Austin Empty Bowl Project @ Central Texas Food Bank
Happening the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 24 from 11am-3pm. Bring the whole fam to purchase a bowl that a potter has graciously donated, have it filled with soup for a tasty lunch all while listening to music that volunteer musicians provide. Bowls are $25 (or 2 for $40) and that bowl is all yours to keep. Proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels Central Texas’ Meals for Kids, and the Central Texas Food Bank to sponsor their Kids Cafe Program. Click here for all details about attending the event. And click here for ways to volunteer for this event.
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot @ Long Center
Now in its 29th year - wow, the Thanksgiving Day tradition features four races (a timed five-mile run, an untimed five-mile run, a one-mile walk/run, and a Kids K) including live music, children’s activities, a raffle and runner prizes. Family fun kicks off on Nov. 28 with the Kids K at 8:45 a.m. 100% of the proceeds will go to Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit that provides housing, employment, education, and food to over 20,000 homeless refugees in Travis County. Click here to sign up and pick the race package that is best for you!
H-E-B Feast of Sharing @ Palmer Events Center
H-E-B and United Way for Greater Austin are hosting the 30th annual Feast of Sharing — the largest community Thanksgiving meal in Austin. With the help of amazing volunteers, the Feast provides dinners to over 14,000 Central Texans each year. Ger involved at the Palmer Events Center on November 26th. Please note: volunteer shifts are available only to those 14 years of age or older (younger children cannot accompany you). Click here for more info and to sign up.
Operation Turkey @ Multiple Locations
In 2018, operation Turkey helped to deliver over 60,000 meals to the homeless and this year the goal is 75,000. If you would like to be a part of this wonderful day of volunteering on the morning of Thanksgiving, click here to sign up. Kids are more than welcome to attend as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade @ Downtown Austin/ Congress Ave.
On Nov. 30 at 11 a.m., join Austin’s fantastic annual downtown holiday parade that benefits Operation Blue Santa. Bring new unwrapped toys to donate. At a designated time during the Parade Procession, all units will stop to collect the toys. Santa’s Helpers will line the parade route and help spectators give their toy. All toys will be distributed by the Operation Blue Santa Program to another child just in time for the holidays. Click here for more info.
Coats for Kids @ Jack Brown Cleaners
The Junior League of Austin will provide over 30,000 warm winter coats to Central Texas Children in need this winter. They are taking collections for coats through the first week of December. If you would like to donate a gently used coat, please drop it off at any Jack Brown Cleaners location. Or if you wish to simply make a financial donation (every $20 buys a new coat), you can donate online here. If you’d like to sign up to volunteer during Sorting Week or on Coat Distribution Day, you can do so here.
