Laptops available to local nonprofits
Houston-area nonprofits needing to modernize their information technology capabilities have until Sept. 14 to apply to receive up to three gently-used laptops through accounting firm Padgett Stratemann and Co.’s Computer Donation Program.
The Padgett Stratemann firm is expanding the Computer Donation Program to include the Houston region. Through the program, the company will donate 100 “gently-used” laptop computers to nonprofit charitable organizations in the area.
The firm launched the program in 2010. Since then, more than 130 Texas-based nonprofit organizations have received laptops, helping them update outdated computer needs that their operating budgets may not have the funds to do.
Padgett Stratemann has offices in San Antonio, Austin and Houston and works with clients in several sectors including construction, energy, entertainment, financial, government, nonprofit, health care, manufacturing, retail distribution, technology and real estate.
“We are extremely excited to bring this program to Houston,” said Jim Jones, managing partner of Padgett Stratemann’s Houston office, located at 1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1100. “Being able to support the area’s nonprofit organizations and having the opportunity to help them fulfill their missions is something we hope will build a stronger community.”
According to the accounting firm, the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, Christian Senior Services, Green Spaces Alliance, Austin Humane Society, IDEA Public Schools, Greenlights for Nonprofit Success, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Austin Area and Manos de Cristos are some of the organizations that have received computers from the program.
Applications for the new donation cycle are being accepted through Sept. 14. An application is available on the company’s website at www.padgett-cpa.com. To qualify, applicants must have a 501(c) (3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service and must have been in operation for at least five years. Complete qualification details are available on the firm’s website.
Organizations selected may receive up to three recycled laptop computers.
Nonprofits chosen to receive computers are to be announced in October.
Anti-hunger campaign set for this month
A couple of events this month will allow area diners to support the efforts of No Kid Hungry, a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength.
Houston’s annual Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry fundraiser will take place this year at The Corinthian in the downtown district. More than 40 Houston chefs and mixologists will provide food, wines, craft beers and spirits for guests to indulge with the mission of raising funds to help end childhood hunger. Also, attendees are invited to take part in a silent auction.
The event will be held from 6 – 9 p.m. at The Corinthian, 2020 Fannin St. General admission is $125. VIP Admission is $200 and allows guests to enter the event 30 minutes early. Tables also may be purchased with packages starting at $5,000. Tickets may be purchased online at www.ce.strength.org/ Houston.
This is Houston’s 27th annual Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects children in need with healthy meals and instructs their families on cooking affordable yet nutritious meals. Last year’s Houston event raised more than $130,000, said Emily Roth, manager of culinary events for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Taste of the Nation events are held in various cities nationwide.
Roth said she hopes the Houston event will bring in more funds to ensure children in Texas and across the United States receive the food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Since 1998, the event has raised more than $2 million.
Share Our Strength tracks child hunger statistics nationwide. According to the nonprofit, 1 in 4 children in Texas goes hungry. Only 61 percent of children in the state receiving free or reducedprice school lunches are eating school breakfast. And, just 13 percent of children eating free or reduced-priced school lunches are receiving meals during the summer break.
To further help connect children with access to food, area residents can dine out this month at more than 147 restaurants in the Houston area and add a $1 donation to their bills to go toward the No Kid Hungry campaign. According to the campaign’s website, every $1 donated can connect a child with 10 meals.
Restaurants such as Arby’s, Denny’s and Joe’s Crab Shack are participating. To find a restaurant, visit www.nokidhungry. org and search for restaurants by city, state or ZIP code on the site’s Dine Out for No Kid Hungry map.
Donations also can be made directly on the campaign website.
Sandwich chain Lenny’s Subs Shop has set a goal to raise $25,000 for the campaign to combat childhood hunger. Customers can make a donation at Lenny’s Subs locations through Nov. 1. This is the first time the restaurant company has partnered with No Kid Hungry.
“We recognize the needs of those that may be in our communities who don’t have enough nutritious food,” said Jason Vaughn, president and chief operations officer for Lenny’s Subs.
“No child should wonder if he or she will get a meal every day. We’re proud to team up with No Kid Hungry and excited to create this opportunity for both our customers and franchisees to help those in need.”
Lenny’s Subs dinners that donate $1 or more to the campaign will be recognized with a sign on the participating restaurant’s wall and the donor will receive a coupon for a free cookie on their next visit.
Area Lenny’s Subs Shop locations include Lenny’s No. 268 at 1001 Fannin St., Suite 200, and Lenny’s No. 291 at 9150 South Main St., Suite J.
Texas Children’s patients have art exhibited at clinical center
Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers patients make will their mark with an art exhibition.
More than 300 works of art by Texas Children’s cancer and hematology centers’ patients and their siblings will be displayed on the walls of the hospital’s auxiliary bridge Sept. 12 – Oct. 9 for the Periwinkle Foundation’s 25th Annual Making a Mark Opening Exhibit Celebration.
The bridge is located on the third floor of the Clinical Care Center at 6701 Fannin St.
There is no cost to view the exhibit. A grand opening event will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. Sept. 12.
In addition to the children’s artwork, an art installation, “Birds of a Feather,” by Houston visual artist Elaine Bradford will feature feathers created by children she collaborated with during the spring and summer.
The features will combine to form the wings of large-scale birds that Bradford will incorporate into the work.
Also, 30 “Purple Ribbon” pieces will be featured. The artwork will travel throughout the city beginning in October. Since 2001, The Periwinkle Foundation has collaborated with the Arts in Medicine Program at Texas Children’s cancer and hematology centers to provide self-expression opportunities, empowerment and development of coping skills to patients and their families in concert with professional artists and writers.
The foundation’s Arts and Creative Writing Program culminates each year in the Making a Mark exhibition of art and creative writing by children and teens with cancer and blood disorders and their siblings. Details: www.periwinklefoundation.org.