The 10th Annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee took place at the Zach Theatre

Do you take for granted your ability to read and write? Whether you do or not, this statistic will blow your mind: 1 in 5 native, English-speaking adults in Central Texas can’t read or write well enough to fill out a job application.

Founded in 2001, the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas is doing something to change this startling fact. This local organization exists to improve the quality of literacy education in our area, and to increase its availability for those who need it. It’s a centralized hub that coordinates with more than 70 literacy programs in the Austin area.

As with any non-profit, fundraising is always a requirement. Ten years ago, the Literacy Coalition came up with a fun way to raise money, while providing a unique night of entertainment for [Read more…]

Participants wait their turn to scale the Frost Bank Tower!

Remember when your parents would scream at you to not run up the stairs? Guess what? The American Lung Association is telling you it’s okay: on April 27, 2013 this well-respected non-profit is having their 4th Annual Fight for Air Climb fundraiser event at the Frost Bank Tower.

Participating Austinites have the opportunity to climb roughly 31 flights of stairs!

In all seriousness, many of us know someone who is affected by lung disease and Jessica Vess isn’t any different. “My brother has asthma, my in-laws have struggled to stop smoking, and my husband’s grandfather suffered from [Read more…]

Zach Scott Theatre in Austin

If you’re looking to party for a cause, join us in two weeks at the recently renovated Zach Theatre, for Pack the Zach. This exciting annual event is the most important fundraiser of the year for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT).

We can’t wait to show our support for DSACT on May 2, 2013. The event runs from 7-10 PM, and a lot of worthwhile fun will be packed into three short hours!

What to Expect

There’s so much for you to expect this year’s Pack the Zach event. It’s definitely encouraging to see so many community businesses volunteer to show up, create a memorable evening, and make a difference for local families! [Read more…]

This guest blog post is by Kyle Bailey.

When you hear “human trafficking,” what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, it’s probably the image of Liam Neeson, his voice rasping out threats against his daughter’s captors in the 2008 movie Taken.

In a couple of ways, this image embodies the misconceptions around the evil that is human trafficking. The first misconception is that it’s “over there” (international, outside the United States). The second misconception is that human trafficking always involves shipping humans from one point to another.

Human trafficking is oppressive, evil and pervasive. It’s also here in Austin, right under our noses.  [Read more…]

Secret Society Ball hostess Mandy Lauderdale welcomes party-goers with puppy at her side

Waiting in line outside of the Swan Dive, the setting feels transformed. The red carpet below our feet, the excitement emanating from the other people in line, their feathers and fringe swaying in the night breeze.

We stood for our picture in front of a beautiful grey and blue fleur background, like a vignette from Downton Abbey, me in my elbow-length gloves and Adam in his white tie tuxedo with tails.

We were transported into the roaring 20’s inside, swinging jazz blaring and dancers jitterbugging on the center floor.

Our hostess, Mandy Lauderdale, floated through the crowd, yet what was trailing behind her? Wasabi, a bouncing puppy! [Read more…]