🌱 High School Students Found Nonprofit For Refugees + New Businesses

Hello, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning with some updated news and great events to attend today, in Round Rock. Today we'll cover these stories and more:

• Four students are the driving force behind the HEARD Foundation.
• Round Rock Fire Department assists Austin Fire Department to put out structure fire
• New businesses in Round Rock to check out

But first, today's weather:

Warm with low clouds. High: 74 Low: 66.

⚡️ Attention, local business owners and marketers in Round Rock! I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to secure your spot now. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Round Rock:

1. A group of four courageous and driven Round Rock ISD students founded the HEARD Foundation, "a student-run nonprofit to benefit refugee and immigrant children resettling in Central Texas." With increasing numbers of refugees coming here from Afghanistan and Ukraine, the students are directing their efforts to support "displaced refugee children as they integrate into their new communities." (KXAN)
2. The Round Rock and Cedar Park Fire Departments teamed up to assist the Austin Fire Department in putting out a rapidly growing fire at the Avery Ranch Golf Course early Monday morning. The fire led to "a collapsed building and the destruction of 80 golf carts stored in the cart barn." (Golf Digest)
3. At least nine new businesses have opened up in Round Rock recently, so check them out: Spherion Staffing & Recruiting, Sharetea, Mojo Coffee, Destination Pediatric Dentistry, and for more, see Community Impact Newspaper.

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Today in Round Rock:

• BNI Rock 'n Allstars Coffee Social at Lamppost Coffee (8 a.m.)
• Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop (All-day)
• State of the City with Mayor Craig Morgan at Kalahari Resorts (11 a.m.)
• Keller Williams Realty - Lunch and Learn at Keller Williams Realty Round Rock (Noon)
• Meet with a Dispatcher at Round Rock Police Main Training Room (4 p.m.)
• Happy Hour at Ruby Hotel (4 p.m.)
• Spirit Night at Smokey Mo's BBQ (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• 🎄 🎁 Have you taken an evening stroll in Downtown Round Rock lately? The lights are twinkling with so many great photo opportunities for your family. Many boutiques and eateries line the downtown streets so you can enjoy doing your holiday shopping, and then grab dinner! (City of Round Rock)
• Congratulations to Rose White, who "has been selected as the Round Rock ISD Police Department Assistant Chief of Police. White has nearly 30 years of experience serving in various law enforcement roles, 20 of which were in a public school setting." (Round Rock ISD Facebook)
• Round Rock Police Department "celebrated the life of a true blue Texas lawman. Sergeant Ardeen Urbantke served the people of Round Rock for 38 years. Rest in peace" and passed away at the age of 77. (Round Rock Police Department Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Brungot Farms — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Wellspring Preparatory Academy Open House (December 10)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Round Rock Daily? Contact me at RoundRock@Patch.com