Hearts for Hope campaign hosted by La Madeleine
A month’s worth of dining has resulted in a $308,000 donation to the Children’s Hunger Fun, providing the means to offer more than 1.2 million meals for children who need them.
During May, all proceeds from the sale of La Madeleine Country French Café’s cookies, including the heart-shaped Linzer cookies, were collected as part of the restaurant’s “Hearts for Hope” campaign to raise money for the charitable organization.
There are 18 branch locations in Houston which participated in the drive.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our guests we are proud to have surpassed our goal of raising $250,000 or one million meals,” said John Cahill, president of la Madeleine Country French Café.
“This is a great step forward in our dedication to fighting childhood hunger.
Over the years, Children’s Hunger Fund has raised more than $1 billion to feed more than 20 million children not only in the United States but worldwide, as well.
Because of its work, Children’s Hunger Fund was named as one of the most cost-efficient American charities by Forbes and Charity Navigator. Pappas Steakhouse hosting wine tasting
For a taste of some of the summer’s finest white wines, make plans to attend Pappas Bros.’ Annual White Burgundy Wine Tasting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 10.
Guests will have a chance to taste a wide variety of Burgundy wines along with a selection of seasonal hors d’oeuvres.
Reservations can be made by calling 713-7807352.
The cost is $90 per person. Gaming for the greater good
Through her love of video games and her desire to work with specialneeds children, Amanda Durocher recently raised $10,000 for The Westview School, which serves high-functioning children with autism, including her younger brother who is a student at the school. To raise the money, Durocher streamed herself playing a video game and solicited donations from her viewers.
She capitalized on a small industry of gamers who talk and interact with their audience while they play video games.
“I wanted to do something to give back,” Durocher said.
“My passion is working with kids with special needs. I just graduated with a degree in speechlanguage pathology and audiology, and I hope to get my master’s degree and work with this population of children in the future.”
This isn’t the first time Durocher has donated to the school, 1900 Kersten. Last year she contributed $2,000 and, with the 2015 campaign such a success, she has even higher hopes for next year, she said.
“I want to raise even more money next year, and hopefully I can get other streamers to team up and help us get more donations,” she said. Local student earns degree Jonathan Pina, who
hails from the Memorial area of Houston, recently received a bachelor of arts degree in humanities, science and environment from Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
Pina graduated with 4,500 other students, including six other Houston-area natives, who were celebrated at their commencement with an address given by Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google.
Plan Houston meeting set July 14 and 21
Plan Houston is a City of Houston program aimed at ensuring the Bayou City’s future is bright through positive growth and development and enhanced neighborhoods.
As part of Plan Houston, the city developed 12 policy directives aimed at reaching its stated goals.
Now, the city is presenting these directives to the public.
There are two upcoming West Houston meetings of the Plan Houston Planning Commission to present the directives and to receive public feedback.
The first is set for Tuesday, July 14 at Tracy Gee Community Center at 3599 Westcenter Drive.
The second will be Tuesday, July 21 at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center at 1414 Wirt Road.
Both meetings are from 6-7:30 p.m.
For questions or comments or to learn more email PlanHouston@ houstontx.gov.
Lush Cosmetics to open this month in Memorial
Lush Cosmetics plans to open its 13th Texas store this month at Memorial City Mall.
Billing itself as a “cosmetics grocer,” the store features skin care, hair care, bath and body items and other beauty products made of organic fruit, vegetables and essential oils.
“Following the success of our Baybrook Mall opening, we have been looking to expand our presence in the area,” Alyssa Gates, director of U.S. real estate for Lush, said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have very loyal customers in Houston and we’re so happy to be adding a new edition to our family of stores there.”
Plans are under way for a grand opening celebration within weeks of the new location’s July opening.
United Kingdom-based Lush Cosmetics has 226 stores across North America — including five others in the Houston area — and more than 900 locations worldwide.