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10 Christmas Volunteering Opportunities in Austin: Holiday Charities & Giving Campaigns For 2021

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Christmas Volunteering In Austin: Image Credit – Community First Village Facebook Page

Looking for Christmas Volunteering Opportunities in Austin? We have a list of 10 great charities in and near Austin that are doing excellent work to spread cheer for the holidays and beyond!

It’s easy to get swept away in holiday chaos. From Black Friday deals to office parties to last-minute gifts, December is a swirl of madness. As a result, the meaning of the season often gets lost: the joy of giving to those in need.

With dozens of local charities looking to aid needy Austinites, giving back to the community is only a click away. To help you choose where your donation dollars should go, here are 10 worthwhile organizations to consider assisting this holiday season.

Christmas Volunteering Opportunities in and near Austin

1/ Operation Blue Santa

Image Credits: Operation Blue Santa Facebook Page

Run by the Austin Police Department since 1972, Operation Blue Santa supplies families in need with the full holiday experience, including meals and wrapped presents. Two policemen started the initiative by handing out presents to roughly 20 families from the rear of a patrol car. Now it’s a year-round program that collects gifts and food for more than 5788 households.

If you wish to donate, go to BlueSanta.org.

Operation Blue Santa location: 4101 S Industrial Dr #260, Austin, TX 78744, United States

2/ The Junior League of Austin: Coats for Kids

Image Credits: Coats For Kids Facebook Page

The winter of 2021 is already shaping up to be a chiller, so keeping warm is more important than ever. The 35th annual Coats for Kids Distribution will be held by the Junior League of Austin (JLA) from December 4, 2021, through December 11, 2021. Validated families in need roam through over 30,000 coats to find outerwear for their little ones. The doors stay open until the last family leaves, so volunteers are always needed at this all-day event.

Coat collection started on November 15th, November 2021, and will run through the first week of December at Jack Brown Cleaners. For monetary donations and more info, learn more here.

The Junior League of Austin location: 5330 Bluffstone Ln, Austin, TX 78759, United States

3/ Caritas of Austin: Home for the Holidays

Image Credits: Caritas of Austin Facebook Page

With a heart towards Austin’s poverty-stricken residents, Caritas of Austin is spreading holiday cheer through gift packages filled with essential items. From welcome home baskets with household supplies to winter wear to rent assistance, Caritas provides needy families with the bare necessities many of us take for granted.

For the full wish list, go visit Caritas online.

Caritas of Austin location: 611 Neches St, Austin, TX 78701, United States

4/ Austin Diaper Bank

Image Credits: Austin Diaper Bank Facebook Page

With a unique way to give financial relief to growing families, Austin Diaper Bank provides 10,000 Central Texas families with this childcare necessity. So far in 2021, they’ve distributed more than 1,500,000 diapers, wipes, and sanitary supplies to families in need.

While Austin Diaper Bank doesn’t have an official holiday drive on the calendar, any time is a good time to donate to this worthy charity.

For more information, visit AustinDiapers.org.

Austin Diaper Bank location: 2210, 78758 Denton Dr. Ste 103, Austin, TX, United States

5/ Austin Disaster Relief Network

Image Credits: Austin Disaster Relief Network Facebook Page

Ready and willing to assist survivors when disaster strikes, Austin Disaster Relief Network assists people in need during their darkest hour. The group provides food, clothing, cleanup services, and even counseling to those displaced by natural disasters. Team members also run a low-to-no-cost used goods store, with everything from furniture to clothing.

Although the group doesn’t have an official holiday drive, most of us know somebody affected by volatile weather events over the years.

To learn more, visit Austin Disaster Relief Network online.

Austin Disaster Relief Network location: 1122 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78723, United States

Christmas Volunteering Opportunities in Austin – Continued

6/ Community First! Village

Image Credits: Community First Vilage Facebook Page

Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ landmark Community First! neighborhood is a truly transformative initiative. The village is a 51-acre master-planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing for Austinites transitioning out of homelessness.

But saving lives doesn’t come cheap and that’s where you come in! Whether you choose to support Community First! through your dollars or your time, this is a beautiful way to make an impact in people’s lives.

To learn more, visit Mobile Loaves & Fishes online.

Community First! Village location: 9301 Hog Eye Rd Suite 950, Austin, TX 78724, United States

7/ LifeWorks Austin

Image Credits: LifeWorks Austin Facebook Page

Ever heard how teaching someone to fish is better than handing them food? That’s the central core of LifeWorks Austin. While providing day-to-day necessities to needy youth, the group also equips them with self-sustaining life skills outside the foster care system. Over 4,000 youth and families have been supported via this incredible organization, and your holiday dollars will be needed to keep the mission going strong. Among the very best Christmas Volunteering Opportunities in Austin.

To donate gift cards, go to LifeworksAustin.org.

LifeWorks Austin location: 3700 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704, United States

8/ Austin Partners in Education

Image Credits: Austin Partners In Education Facebook Page

When not writing about music and doing the blogger thing, I spend my 8 to 5 in the world of Ed Tech. As a result, I have a heart for anything that helps kids learn and grow. From classroom coaching to weekly college prep tutoring, the Austin Partners in Education team pours hours upon hours into needy AISD kids and schools. Anything you can give, whether your time, talents, or financial resources, is sure to make a tangible difference in a student’s educational success.

To learn more, visit Austin Partners In Education online.

Austin Partners in Education location: 3100 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States

9/ Austin Pets Alive!

Image Credits: Austin Pets Alive! Facebook Page

At The Austinot, we love our puppers and kitties. Austin Pets Alive! is our city’s premier pet rescue and re-homing organization. One of the best Christmas Volunteering Opportunities in Austin!

Check out Austin Pets Alive! to learn more and get involved.

Austin Pets Alive! location: 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78703

10/ Amplify Austin

Image Credits: Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas Facebook Page

Can’t decide who to donate to? Amplify Austin makes it easy to contribute to multiple organizations. The site works like the Amazon of Austin charities, allowing you to search, add donations to a cart, save your credit card info, and pay with one transaction. You can even instantly download your tax receipts. This is an easy and convenient way to give back this holiday season.

Feel free to browse Amplify Austin’s full suite of charities for more information.

Amplify Austin location: 1310 South First Street #210 Austin, TX 78704

Looking for a fun holiday activity with friends & family? Check out our updated guide on the Best Christmas Lights in and near Austin

Keep track of the Best Events & Activities in Austin by bookmarking our Things to Do This Week and Things to do this Weekend pages

Black Fret Keeps Live Music Alive With a New Festival

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Nakia SXSW 2018 Black Fret
Nakia enlivened an amazing Black Fret showcase during SXSW 2018. (credit: Bill Tucker)

For more than eight years, Black Fret supported the Austin music community with an unstoppable sense of purpose and accomplishment. When COVID brought live music to a near standstill, many of us wondered who would step up and take a stand. Black Fret came to the table and their brand new music festival, “Keep Live Music Alive,” is the comeback party we’ve been asking for since March of 2020. And with news of the 2021 class of grant nominees around the corner, there has never been a better time to become a member and support the music.

Doing The Right Thing Since 2013

Matt and Colin Black Ball 2018
Colin Kendrick (L) and Matt Ott (R) pose before the 2018 Black Ball (credit: Bill Tucker)

Founded by Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott in 2013, Black Fret aims to support the local music scene through member support. Members pay a flat fee that goes toward yearly grants. In return, members get access to unique, intimate listening room style performances. Every year, members nominate twenty artists to receive either a minor ($5,000) or major ($20,000) grant. The year culminates in the Black Ball, a sensational awards show and concert blowout at the Moody Theater. I’ve been to multiple Black Balls over the years, and trust me. They are experiences!

And while COVID kicked the Austin live music scene in the gut, Black Fret fought back with the Happy Hour Concert series. The program paid out over $250,000 to over 150 musicians for playing shows for companies and businesses over Zoom. It’s that sort of innovation that helped Black Fret stay helpful and relevant during the pandemic.

How’s this for numbers? To date, Black Fret has awarded $2,000,000 to local musicians and $1,500,000 to Austin-area venues and music businesses. Every artist playing a Black Fret showcase gets paid as does every venue. And for the first time, this year’s season dues is $750. While that may seem steep, it’s a hefty discount from years past. And consider the amount of live shows you get exclusive access to, along with knowing you’re supporting the art that keeps Austin the “Live Music Capital of the World. It’s a donation worth considering if you have the means to do so.

The Keep Live Music Alive Festival

Buffalo Hunt during the Black Fret SXSW 2021 showcase.

Now that COVID restrictions are relaxing enough for Austin to dip its collective toe back into live music, Black Fret is launching its first membership drive of the season in the form of a festival. The “Keep Live Music Alive” festival will take place from May 14-16th at the Long Center Terrace. While the event is listed as members only, single-day tickets are available for non-members. But that’s not the point. With an incredible lineup to offer, becoming a member is the best way to experience this three-day extravaganza.

The jam packed schedule reads like a who’s who of new Austin music. While ATX staples like Ley Line and Darkbird make me smile, I’m dying to check out Zach Person. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this local up-and-comer. The full schedule is as follows:

Day 1Time
Eimarl Sol4:00
Darkbird4:45
Mike Melinoe5:30
Miggy Milla6:15
Zach Person7:00
Buffalo Hunt7:45
Nane8:30
Day 2
Night Blooms3:00
Motenko4:00
Ley Line4:45
Clarence James5:30
Lisa Morales6:15
Harry Edohoukwa7:00
American Dreamer7:45
Sam Houston & Blk Odyssy8:30
Jake Lloyd9:00
Day 3
Special Tribute to Bob Dylan11:00 AM
Jon Muq2:00
Casey McPherson3:00
Dom Fisher3:45
Pat Byrne4:30
J Soulja5:15
Matt the Electrician6:00
The Reverent Few6:45
Deezie Brown7:30

Looking Forward to the Season Ahead

Austin band Motenko performing during Black Fret’s SXSW 2021 showcase.

And the festival is a jumping-off point. On June 11th via a private event at the Moody Theatre, Black Fret will announce this year’s class of artists. After months of live shows, the season will culminate in this year’s Black Ball on December 4th. As a fan of this wonderful organization, it’s great to see it up and running as intended: promoting and stewarding Austin live music. And if Black Fret’s re-emergence is the goal, the Keep Live Music Alive festival is its proof of concept.

“Black Fret is all about supporting our local music as the art that it is and we thank the Long Center for hosting our first ‘Keep Live Music Alive’ festival,” said Matt Ott, Co-founder of Black Fret. “COVID knocked our music community on our collective ass and it is time for us all to come together to support our artists, venues, and vendors that create our amazing music ecosystem in Austin. Joining Black Fret is a great way to accomplish that.”

When the music community was sucker-punched by COVID over a year ago, it hit everyone hard. From artists to venues and everyone in between, it was a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Despite it all, Black Fret continued to do what it does best—provide a lifeline to Austin’s cherished and storied music scene when it needed it most. And with this weekend’s celebration, the Austin music community hopes to turn the page on the year that was, and look forward to a great season of sounds ahead.

To become a member and attend the festival, visit https://www.blackfret.org/klma/ for everything you need to do so.

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Ever been to a Black Fret event? Tell us about your experience!

Local Austin Non-Profits Featured at SXSW Online 2021

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Picture of a sign calling for donations to Austin musicians.
(credit: Ben Porter Photography)

South by Southwest is almost here! The time of year when locals and visitors alike flock to the streets of Austin to celebrate culture, film, music, art, and food. Of course, this year, people across the world are flocking to their phones and computers, because SXSW 2021 is fully online! Although not quite the same as the Austin’s beloved annual (in person) festival, we are so glad that SXSW is still able to happen this year. I’m looking forward to being able to attend and participate in more events than ever before, using their online platform.

SXSW has an incredible history of giving back, something that is near and dear to my heart and so important to me when choosing organizations to support. Every year, they showcase world-changing non-profits from across the globe, invest in the local community, promote human rights, and support environmental protection.  

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CASA of Travis County Seeks Advocates to Serve Local Foster Children

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CASA of Travis County in Austin
Volunteers are needed to serve even more children (Credit: CASA of Travis County)

There is nothing more important than the well-being of a child. When children have to enter the foster care system, CASA of Travis County is there to provide an unbiased recommendation to the court.

CASA accepts all new cases for children aged one and up, and always needs volunteers to serve as advocates. “For every child in need, CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home, and a promising future” (CASA of Travis County). To continue their progress this year, CASA’s goal is to serve 2,200 children with 900 active volunteers in 2020. Continue reading to learn how you can help.

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Let’s Make Amplify Austin Day 2020 the Most Generous Event Yet

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Amplify Austin Day 2020
Amplify Austin Day hopes to raise over $12 million in just 24 hours (Credit: I Live Here I Give Here)

The team behind Amplify Austin Day 2020 wants to see over 31,000 people come together to raise over $12 million for Central Texas nonprofits. Such a feat sounds difficult to achieve, but the Austin community has set massive fundraising records before. 

Here’s all you need to know to participate yourself.

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8 Springdale General Tenants to Seek Out in East Austin

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Springdale General Austin Texas
This 15-building complex is home to some of Austin’s most well-loved creatives and nonprofits
(Credit: Center for Social Innovation)

If you’ve talked to anyone about east Austin, then the name “Springdale General” has probably popped up more than once. This 15-building complex is home to some of Austin’s well-loved creatives and nonprofits. 

One of my favorite things about Springdale General is the variety of businesses and organizations that call it home. From creative studios to fun service-based businesses to educational opportunities, it holds a bit of everything. Keep reading to learn about some of the businesses you might want to visit next time you’re near 1023 Springdale Road. 

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Austin Musicians Granted $250,000 at 2019 Black Fret Ball

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Black Fret Ball 2019
Dr. Joe closed Black Fret Ball 2019 in explosive fashion (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Music is the lifeblood of Austin. Anyone who tells you different hasn’t spent a Saturday night on Red River or discovered a random artist during SXSW. On any given night, there are 100 shows to choose from in the greater Austin area. Music is a piece of who we are.

But the vein is starting to clot. Rising cost of living, higher venue rent, and dozens of entertainment options force world-class artists to stagnate.

Enter Black Fret, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, both financial and practical, to Austin musicians. On Dec. 7, 2019, during the annual Black Fret Ball gala, the group awarded $250,000 to 19 local artists. It was an evening of heart, community, and giving.

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Swan Songs Unites Austin Musicians With Those Facing Terminal Illness

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Swan Songs Private Concert for Patients in Austin
Swan Songs provides private concerts for those facing terminal illnesses (Credit: Carrell Grigsby)

Music is such a central part of Austin. Swan Songs is a local organization that embodies this piece of Austin, and turns it into something even greater by providing private concerts for those facing terminal illness and the end of life.

But Swan Songs offers more than a concert, as patients experience a meaningful and beautiful moment that gives joy.

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Nonprofit We Are Blood Saves Lives and You Can Help Now

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We Are Blood is only closed three days each year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day (Credit: We Are Blood)
We Are Blood is only closed three days each year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day (Credit: We Are Blood)

Sometimes a health issue calls for a blood transfusion, platelets, or both. And with Austin’s growing population comes an increasing need for both these life-giving substances. We Are Blood is the exclusive blood provider for Central Texas, with the help of two additional centers in Round Rock and south Austin. They provide blood to more than 40 hospitals and medical centers across 10 counties.

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