GIVING

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, McDonald’s restaurants in Houston will donate 10% of lunch sales to two organizations raising money for victims of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Houston Restaurant Weeks has announced its dates for 2022.

Red Nose Day, the fundraising event by Comic Relief US to help end child poverty, returns for its eighth year on May 26.

KPRC 2 is proud to partner with Texas Children’s, which is supporting Ukraine by hosting a donation drive at specific Texas Children’s locations Monday, April 18 through Saturday, April 23. The much-needed supplies will be gathered, sorted and shipped to the people of Ukraine.

For the ninth year in a row, KPRC 2 has partnered with the Houston Habitat For Humanity to help build homes for deserving families in the area.

KPRC 2 is proud to partner with Texas Children’s, which is supporting Ukraine by hosting a donation drive at specific Texas Children’s locations Monday, April 18 through Saturday, April 23. The much-needed supplies will be gathered, sorted and shipped to the people of Ukraine.

Every year, Make-A-Wish chapters and affiliates celebrate World Wish Day on April 29, the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Earth Day is Friday, April 22. Here’s a schedule of Houston events and volunteer opportunities that honor our planet.

Recovery efforts are underway for the Texas residents in the path of the destructive tornadoes that ripped through multiple parts of the state on Monday, killing a woman in north Texas, injuring multiple others and causing widespread damage.

When Benita Leon discovered she was pregnant, she and her husband were overjoyed with excitement, hopes and plans for their baby’s future. Those hopes and plans came to sudden halt when a doctor delivered the news that their baby was diagnosed with down syndrome. Uncertain for what the future would now hold for her child, Leon felt overwhelmed and helpless. Luckily, help was on the way to guide her and her family through their journey.

Chris Tine and his wife Larysa set out to raise money for their family and friends in Ukraine.

From the young age of just 4 years old, Joiner has been on a mission to give the gift of reading through her project A Book and a Smile. Five years later, that mission is still going strong.

At KPRC 2, we’re proud to showcase those making a difference in the Houston area. Each month in 2022, we’re partnering with Energy Transfer to showcase a different nonprofit organization offering Houstonians a helping hand.

In February 2021, a brutal winter storm battered the state, overwhelming its power grids and forcing millions of Texans to scavenge for the basic elements for survival — food, water, and shelter from record cold.

At KPRC 2, we’re proud to showcase those making a difference in the Houston area. Each month, we showcase a different nonprofit organization offering Houstonians a helping hand.

‘Til everyone is free - that’s the motto at a coffee shop in the Heights called A 2nd Cup that's on a mission to end human trafficking and give survivors a second chance at a bright future with every cup they serve.

Sure, Santa is great, but have you met his cousin, or primo, Pancho Claus? He’s a zoot-suit-wearing, lowrider-driving Houstonian who has been passing out presents in the East End since the 1980s. Pancho Claus is a local legend in the Houston community who has even gained national attention, but this year he needs your help.

A local charity needs the public’s help in its push to bring Christmas cheer to some 500 area children.

From classics like vanilla to gourmet flavors like Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip, you can’t go wrong with any of the scoops at Howdy’s Homemade Ice Cream. The cherry on top? Knowing your icy sweet treat supports a really cool cause.

When people think of Houston weather, cold is not one of the first things that comes to mind. But because winters are typically short and sporadic in Space City, many Houstonians don’t prioritize purchasing winter coats, which can be quite expensive, and find themselves unprepared for sudden temperature drops. Luckily, one national nonprofit is working to help fill the need.

The Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center of Texas has an urgent need for dog and cat food as they work to care for many late season baby and adult mammals. Each year, more than 12,000 injured or orphaned wild animals are brought to the rescue and rehabilitation facility.

Special people making special food, that’s the motto behind Belong Kitchen, the new restaurant in Memorial City that’s making big waves in the Houston community. As her daughter was getting ready to graduate from high school, Belong Kitchen founder Kim Brown realized that there was a severe lack of career opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). But, rather than wait for the world to change, Brown set out to change the world and prove that people like her daughter Ellie are capable of doing amazing things.

This weekend you can drink some of the best brews from around the country while giving back to local charities.

Galveston is gearing up for its 111th annual Mardi Gras celebration, which will be held Feb. 18 through March 1, 2022. The event is expected to attract more than 350,000 attendees and will offer several different activities, from balcony bashes and live concerts to elegant balls and parades.

Fight or flight - those were the two choices Alison Randazzo faced after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. With two young children including a 6-month-old baby under her care, Randazzo knew she really only had one option: to fight for her life for the sake of her family.

If you’re in need of some Monday motivation, this next story proves that if at first you don’t succeed, just try, try and try again. Sarah Troxell, The Toasted Coconut Beverage Director, did just that, competing in the national bartending competition, Speed Rack, three years in a row. This year, all her hard work finally paid off as she brought home the big win for H-Town and earned the title Season 9 Miss Speed Rack. Even better than bringing home the championship? Knowing it was all for a good cause: aiding the fight to end breast cancer.

The Kingwood Women’s Club has been serving the community for 35 years and after one of their own charter members became a breast cancer survivor the ladies saw the importance of giving access to mammograms for all women.

The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of many local children, thanks to a group of women honoring the legacy of the beloved first lady.

Since she left her hosting gig on the fourth hour of ‘TODAY’ in 2019, Kathie Lee Gifford has kept busy as a writer, actress, director, and producer.

During the pandemic, a local mom from Eastex Jensen came up with a unique way to provide an outlet for creativity in Houston’s diverse communities with little to no access to art.

A Houston-based organization with a goal of uplifting fatherhood wants volunteers to help make the first day of school a special one for area youth.

Four people were killed and 159 people remain unaccounted for after the collapse of a condominium building in Florida, officials said. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

A Montgomery County woman found a touching way to thank our troops for protecting our country.

Foodies, we’ve got stellar news for you -- One of Houston’s most anticipated food events of the year, Houston Restaurant Weeks, has begun. The event runs through Labor Day, September 6.

YES Prep Music Teacher Chrissy Lucivjansky and YES Prep Chief Program Officer, Nella Garcia Urban stopped by Houston Life to highlight the importance of music education for low-income students and received a wonderful surprise.

On December 4, 2020, 18-year-old Holden James was in a tragic accident during football practice. Since then, his fellow students at Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas have rallied around James and his family to help raise funds and their spirits. James’ football coach, Brian Coffman, reflected on James’ talent both on and off the field.

A clean pair of socks can make a big difference to a homeless person, especially during wintertime; that’s something a high school senior from Pearland understood at a very young age.

Irma’s Original has been a staple for quality Tex-Mex food for more than 30 years.

Irma’s Original has been a staple for quality Tex-Mex food for more than 30 years.

Nichole Wilson is the founder and editor-in-chief of Autism Moms Are Beautiful (AMAB) Magazine, an incredible resource for moms raising children on the autism spectrum.

William Gray is a talented local singer-songwriter who is beating the odds and helping others along the way.

On Thursday, Matthew McConaughey announced that he’s adding some really big names to his virtual benefit concert “We’re Texas.”McConaughey described the event as a “virtual revival where we can all come together to help Texas recover from the winter storm.”In a post on social media, McConaughey announced that these A-list celebrities had been added to the line-up:Angie HarmonChip and Joanna GainesClayton KershawDak PrescottJamie FoxJoe RoganThe Jonas BrothersJordan SpiethLiza KoshyMegan Thee StallionMichael StrahanSelena GomezStone Cold Steve AustinWoody HarrelsonTroy AikmanOn March 12, McConaughey announced the initial line-up which included music performances by Willie Nelson, Don Henley, Gary Clark Jr., George Strait, Kelly Clarkson, Khalid, Kirk Franklin, Leon Bridges, Lyle Lovett, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone and others. The event will be hosted by McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves McConaughey and will benefit the Just Keep Livin Texas Relief Fund. The concert will stream live on McConaughey’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m. on March 21. Ad“100% of all the donations will benefit so many organizations on the ground now and in the months to come,” wrote McConaughey in a social media post promoting the event. To donate or learn more, visit jklivinFoundation.org.

HOUSTON – The Houston Humane Society is in “desperate need” of water donations after one of its wells sustained damage during the winter storm last week. The non-profit animal shelter has been operating without water since the winter storm. The shelter, which houses hundreds of animals in need, said its well pump broke after the intermittent power surges, leaving the facilities without access to running water. “We’ve been without water since the disaster,” said Houston Humane Society spokesperson Katie Fine. AdThe Houston Humane Society said anyone can come and donate water during business hours at the shelter located at 14700 Almeda Road.

Haiqa Faheem, Founder of Houston Helping Hands, took it upon herself to start a nonprofit to help her peers as well as other students across the city. Haiqa Faheem, 16, founded the nonprofit Houston Helping Hands to help students find volunteer opportunities. Haiqa Faheem, 16, founded the nonprofit Houston Helping Hands to help students find volunteer opportunities. By September, Houston Helping Hands was formed. It’s completely high school student based.”Since launching in 2020, Houston Helping Hands and the Travis High School Chapter have hosted three drives.

Lucille’s 1913, a non-profit run by Lucille’s chef-owner Chris Williams, will donate thousands of meals at food drives in Fort Bend County and Houston’s Fifth Ward on Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, according to a release. At 11 a.m., Lucille’s 1913 will host two Food Distribution Drives in partnership with Fort Bend County. At 2 p.m., Lucille’s 1913 will distribute an additional 1,000 meals at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1510 Pannell St. in Houston’s Fifth Ward. Those who wish to pick up a meal at the Fifth Ward food drive must register and reserve their meal in advance on Eventbrite. Williams founded Lucille’s 1913 last year in response to the emerging coronavirus pandemic.

Prairie View A & M University was a big winner toward the end of 2020 when it was awarded 50 million dollars by the Mackenzie Scott Foundation. Happy days for Houston Area nonprofits50 million dollars-Prairie View A & M University18 million dollars-YMCA of Greater Houston15 million dollars-Goodwill Industries Houston7 million dollars-Easter Seals of Greater Houston? Meals on Wheels Montgomery CountyYMCA of Greater HoustonAfter an aggressive pivot on priorities because of the pandemic, the YMCA of Greater Houston now has a much needed cushion for programs. Steve Lufburrow is the President and CEO and recounts his thoughts when told of his 15 million dollar award. More Information:Ruth Simmons, Ph.D., President, Prairie View A & M University· Website: https://www.pvamu.edu/· Twitter: @PVAMUStephen Ives, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Houston· Website: https://www.ymcahouston.org/· Twitter: @YMCAHoustonSteve Lufburrow, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries Houston· Website: https://www.goodwillhouston.org· Twitter: @goodwillhoustonElise Hough, CEO Easter Seals of Greater Houston· Website: https://www.eastersealshouston.org/· Twitter: @eastersealshouSummer Day, President & CEO Meals on Wheels Montgomery County· Website: https://www.mowmc.org/· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mealsonwheelsmc/?ref=hl

HOUSTON Baseball season will probably look a bit different this year but that's not stopping Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa from staying busy. From food distribution to donating medical supplies, the Correa Family Foundation is pitching in to help many Houstonians. Im working out every morning, Ive been hitting, Ive got a cage in my backyard. Were working now with Borden to send 15,000 gallons of milk every single day and those are available to the public here in Houston, said Correa. Courtesy: (Correa Family Foundation)To donate to the Correa Family Foundation, click here.