Austin Groups Participate In Giving Tuesday

AUSTIN, TX — Today is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving. And there is no shortage of nonprofits and groups to which one can donate to further their respective missions.

Nonprofits across Austin cover the breadth of human endeavor. Many of these groups have reached out to Patch in describing their causes toward securing support from the community. For your consideration:

AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION

"2020 has been a year of uncertainty, but one thing has remained true - as a community we can do extraordinary things," officials wrote. "Throughout this year the world has been coming together to help out, give back, and fight. Whether that’s through donations to community organizations, protesting in the streets, feeding our neighbors, or staying home to shift the curve. Day by day, we are getting through a global pandemic. Together."

Austin Justice Coalition described its role as one that "...has been building power for people of color through policy, education, and community programs since 2015." The nonprofit counts the recent reallocation of funds from the Austin Police Department to social agencies better specialized to deal with some functions — dealing with the homeless population or those in the throes of mental crises, to name two — as a win. The group says it has paid it forward, providing some $60,000 to date in coronavirus relief to families across Austin. For more of the organizations highlights, visit its toolkit.

CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK

When you make a gift to the regional blood bank's annual fund, you’ll help the 40,000 Central Texans relying on its services achieve the proper nutrition necessary to support an active and fulfilled life. Thanks to the generous support of the Beaumont Foundation, donors can double their impact this holiday season. Every dollar donated up to $100,000 will be matched. This means your $150 gift can provide 1,500 meals! "Donations made today allow us to be there for military families like Sylvia’s," food bank officials said. "Sylvia's husband is a sergeant in the Army stationed at Fort Hood in Kileen. Financial hardships make life of a military family tough. Between paychecks, Sylvia nourishes her familiy with extra groceries from Operation Once in a Lifetime, a Capital Area Food Bank Partner Agency that serves active duty military, veterans and their families. No one should ever have to go hungry, especially during the holidays. With your donation, we can provide nutritious meals to families like Sylvia's and show them how much we appreciate their service to our country."

SIMS FOUNDATION

For 25 years, SIMS has worked to ensure the emotional wellbeing of thousands in the Austin music community, leading an effort to bring behavioral health and destigmatization to the forefront of the conversation throughout Texas and beyond. "When you donate to the SIMS Foundation, you support the music makers and the people who love them," officials said. "The individuals, crew, bands, managers, staff and families that work together to feed our souls and fill our hearts."

This year alone, officials said, SIMS has assisted more than 800 individuals, provided more than 1,100 hours of case management and provided 11,000-plus counseling sessions among those in the music community.

One of those 800 individuals SIMS helpes is award-winning international touring artist, author, and Austinite John Pointer. "One thing therapy taught me was that to be healthy, I just had to believe in myself a little bit more than my harshest critic... and that my harshest critic would always be me," Pointer said. "In addition to using counseling to recover from the rough spots, SIMS has helped me set myself up for success as I tackle new challenges. It has made a huge difference and I don't know where I would have wound up without it. Definitely not where I am."

The intake process itself impressed Pointer, he said: "It's not just access to services. They connect each client to the right person for the right care. I can’t stress how unique, important, and helpful that is. SIMS is one of Austin’s greatest treasures because it helps Austin’s crown jewels — its musicians — really shine.”

Donations to SIMS will help ensure the organization can:

• Provide our music community, the heart and soul of Central Texas, the critical behavioral health care they need.
• Enhance our service offerings to help even more people in 2021.
• Expand our reach to new locations across Texas and across the country.

Those so inclined can donate and Support SIMS here.

SOAPBOX

Soapbox describes its mission as one designed to empower customers to change the world through every day, quality purchases and whose founder, David Simnick, is a true believer in Giving Tuesday’s mission of unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities.

Soapbox will join this year’s Giving Tuesday movement by doubling its donations of soap that will reach vulnerable communities in the U.S. and around the world. The company is also offering 15 percent off all items purchased through its website with the code GIVE2020.

Since it was founded in 2010, for every product sold, Soapbox donates a bar of soap to someone in need. Thanks to its customers, Soapbox will donate 10 million bars of soap in 2020 alone. The unique “Hope Code” on the back of all products is linked to an aid project that the donations support. Simply enter the Hope Code online to see photos from that project and learn more about the work being done. Soapbox offered examples, noting their status as ideal stocking stuffers for the holidays:

• Soapbox Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner Sachets ($2.99). Drop these deep conditioner sachets into the Christmas stockings of all your long-haired and curly-locked friends and they’ll forever be indebted to you. The fatty acid-rich coconut oil formula rejuvenates hair by keeping it hydrated and helping to prevent protein loss.
• Soapbox Bar Soap ($4.99). Soapbox’s divine-smelling bar soaps make the perfect hostess gift and can be used in the powder room or in the shower. Choose between Coconut Milk & Sandalwood, Citrus & Peach Rose and Sea Minerals & Blue Iris — or buy them all. Each bar is packed with olive oil and shea butter and leaves skin feeling hydrated and silky.
• Soapbox Shampoo Bars ($15). These portable, eco-friendly shampoo bars are perfect for gym rats, dads, frequent travelers and your environmentally-conscious pals. No bottles, less packaging, and all the cleansing and hydrating properties you get from regular shampoo. Choose the Coconut Oil Moisture & Nourish bar, the Tea Tree Cleanse & Purify bar, Argan Oil Control & Soften bar or Activated Charcol Detoxify & Refresh bar.
• Bath Bomb Kit ($24.99 for a box of 5): Treat mom, your favorite teacher, or yourself to one of these luxurious and thoughtfully crafted bath bombs. Each bomb blooms a relaxing aroma while you soak and unwind in the tub. Citrus & Peach Rose is crisp and exotic; Sea Minerals & Blue Iris transforms your bath into a sea escape; Tea Tree & Mint awakens the sense; Vanilla & Lily Blossom calms you before bed; and Coconut Milk & Sandalwood will make you feel like you’re on a tropical island.
• Tea Tree Scalp Treatment ($9.99). This vitamin-enriched tea tree solution prevents build-up and is thoughtfully crafted for easy and enjoyable application. Good-bye oily roots, hello light/airy hair! The perfect addition to your routine as we transition from dewy weather to crisp, cooler air.
• Argan Oil Smoothing Serum ($9.99). Hair on the frizz while the weather is on the fritz? This delicious smelling argan oil serum will smooth those fly aways and tame your baby hairs. Achieve an effortless, heatless look with this serum that puts your best, natural look on show. Hair already smooth (we're jealous)? You'll still want a spritz of this incredible scent.
• Tea Tree Hydration Mask ($17.99). Calm and moisturize dry/itchy scalp and nourish dry hair with this luxurious mask. Known for it's purifying and hydrating qualities, this tea tree extract infused mask will also awaken your senses with its clean, invigorating scent.
• Soapbox Liquid Hand Sanitizer ($15.99 per 2-pack, 8 ounces each). Carrying hand sanitizer is now the new normal. Give everyone you know the gift of clean hands with these 8-ounce bottles of unscented, 70% alcohol hand sanitizer that is blended with moisturizers and aloe to not only help reduce pathogenic germs but also prevent hands from drying out. Soapbox hand sanitizers are safe and methanol-free.

TEXAS FAIR DEFENSE PROJECT

The Texas Fair Defense Project helps low-income Texans who this year have borne the brunt of the coronavirus and attendant economic downturn. "We know that you share our commitment to responding to their needs, and that’s why we’re asking you to renew your support of our work during this critical time," officials wrote.

"When the COVID-19 crisis hit, I am proud to share that the staff at Texas Fair Defense Project did what we do best: we got to work," Executive Director Amanda Woog said in a prepared statement. "We knew that jails were some of the most dangerous places during a pandemic, so we fought against the governor’s unconstitutional executive order which made it even more difficult for people without financial resources to be released from jail. Because like you, we believe poverty is not a crime."

Upon discovering in May that dozens of people were being held in the Harris County Jail past their agreed-upon release dates, the group filed legal challenges and won a court order declaring the governor's order unconstitutional, releasing more than 50 people from the jail. "Because we believe poverty is not a crime," Woog wrote.

"We learned about these unconstitutional detentions from a woman whose husband contracted COVID-19 while serving time and working as a trustee in the Harris County Jail. When we told her that her advocacy had led to the release not only of her husband, but of everyone in Harris County who was in his situation, she said, 'I am glad I was able not just to speak up for my family but it's now making a difference for others.' "

To help the group continue its cause, make a contribution.

"We understand many people are hurting right now and a donation toward our campaign may not be possible. But if you are able to contribute, your financial support is more critical now than ever," the executive director wrote. "Your gift will set us up for success for our 2021 work which will include an ambitious legislative agenda, reaching dozens more clients through our pro bono program, and expanding our strategic litigation program."

Woog noted that on #GivingTuesday, a generous donor will be matching donations up to $2000. Those wishing to donate can do so by midnight.

TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

The venerable group showcasing Texas history is participating in Giving Tuesday. Officials said donations will bolster the following projects:

Texas History Day

"Texas History Day is TSHA's yearlong historical research program and competition for students in grades 6-12. Due to school closures and stay-home orders, TSHA held a virtual statewide competition in April, and about 1,000 students safely submitted their research projects to be scored by 190 volunteer remote judges. Your contribution will allow us to better support the teachers and students participating in the 2021 program."

The Handbook of Texas

"This year, the Handbook of Texas underwent a website redesign and announced two new special projects, the Handbook of Dallas-Fort Worth and the Handbook of Texas Medicine. Together, these projects will ultimately add about 1,000 new entries to the digital publication and fill crucial gaps in the state's historical record. Help us move these projects forward and ensure this comprehensive historical resource remains freely available to all."

TSHA Press

"Thanks to donor support, TSHA released two new books in 2020: Tejano Patriot and The Old Army in Texas, second edition. Additionally, our supporters ensured new Texas history research was distributed through the Southwestern Historical Quarterly. In spring 2021, TSHA Press will publish its next book, Inside the Texas Revolution, and continue to feature the excellent work of Texas history scholars in the pages of the Quarterly."

To donate, click here.

YWCA GREATER AUSTIN

The YWCA Greater Austin has a century-long record of empowering women and families, including providing a safe haven rooted in dialogue and camaraderie. In speaking of the value Giving Tuesday yields in furthering its mission, the group broke down what each donation can help secure by sacrificing part of one's routine expenditures:

• $10, or a fancy cup of coffee, provides toys and art materials for children’s therapy session.
• $25, equivalent to a tank of gas, provides a career service session with a social support specialist.
• $50, the cost of two new books, helps someone in urgent need access community support services.
• $75 spent on a new outfit provides essential oils, weighted blankets, tissues and more for adult therapy sessions.
• $150 to luxuriate in a massage or spa service instead can empower a woman with a no cost healing therapy session while one suffuses in the afterglow of having given to a good cause.
• $250 for a fancy dinner in Austin for two yields a group therapy session for immigrant women.

To learn more about donating locally during Giving Tuesday, click here.