Updates about Austin's philanthropic efforts
1. The Austin Carolers will celebrate 20 years of festive, mostly a cappella performances with its Champagne and Carols event, which benefits the Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., where the event will be held. The Dec. 13 event includes catered food, champagne, anniversary cake and Christmas songs ranging from traditional to contemporary. 6:30–9 p.m. $35. 512-478-2335. www.nchmuseum.org/events.
2. United We Art, a nonprofit that combines pop art, fashion and charity, will launch U.W.A. Across U.S.A. on Dec. 5 as part of a three-day event of giving in which participants distribute one of 3,000 donated T-shirts and other goods to areas with high homeless populations in Austin. Any leftover supplies are donated to local shelters Dec. 8. A crowdfunding campaign is underway to help raise money for the event. www.unitedweart.us
3. Autism Society of Central Texas will hold its Annual Holiday Wine-Tasting Party complete with snacks, live music and holiday wine tastings from Davenport Wines, 3801 N. Loop 360, Ste. 180, where the event will be held. Attendees may also purchase holiday-themed wines as gifts. The Dec. 4 event runs from 6–9 p.m. www.austinautismsociety.org
4. A grand-opening celebration for LoudMouth Rentals, 5207 Airport Blvd., will take place 6–8 p.m. Dec. 4 and include live performances from Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Gina Chavez and other artists. Money raised at the event benefits Kids In A New Groove, which provides music mentorship to foster youth. www.kidsinanewgroove.org
5. A community tree lighting hosted by the United Way for Greater Austin will take place 4:15–6 p.m. Dec. 2 at Webb Middle School, 601 E. St. Johns Ave. The free, family-friendly event will include musical performances from the school band, orchestra and choir. There will also be festive snacks, face painting and holiday decorating as well as a visit from Santa Claus. Capital Metro sponsors the tree-lighting ceremony, which closes the event. www.uwatx.org
6. Drive A Senior, a volunteer-based nonprofit that provides free rides to people age 60 and older, will participate locally Dec. 2 in #GivingTuesday, a national day of action to improve local communities. The group is seeking volunteers and donations to help provide assistance to the Austin-area aging population. www.driveasenior.org. www.givingtuesday.org
7. Remaining funds from Citizen Generation, a philanthropic group that announced in May it will fold, will be donated to Austin Pets Alive, which is dedicated to keeping Austin a no-kill city, and A Legacy of Giving, a nonprofit that works with Austin-area student philanthropists, it was announced Oct. 8. Both groups have or soon will raise matching funds to the $10,000 grants each received. www.austinpetsalive.org, www.alegacyofgiving.org
8. Hoar Construction helped raise more than $14,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas during a Sept. 24 open house. Money raised will help cover the cost of families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd., and the Austin-based construction company will continue partnering with the nonprofit group through monthly luncheons. www.rmhc-austin.org
