Updates about Austin's philanthropic efforts

1. Submissions will be accepted through Dec. 1for Tiny Victories, an architectural design competition that aims to provide safe homes for the Central Texas homeless. The goal is to submit micro-home housing concepts to be part of Community First Village, a 27-acre East Austin community created by Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Finalists will be announced Dec. 10, and homes will be built on-site beginning in mid-2015. www.tinyvictories.org

2. CASA of Travis County is in need of new volunteers to begin training as advocates for children who have been abused or neglected. The nonprofit has been appointed to more than 300 children's cases but does not have enough volunteer advocates for each case. CASA provides training, and volunteers do not need any special background or education. In September, the nonprofit's annual Superhero Run (pictured) raised $160,000. The next informational sessions are Dec. 2 at CASA, 7701 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 301, and Dec. 18 at Hill Country Bible Church, 12124 N. RM 620. Interested volunteers can learn more by calling 512-459-2272 or visitin www.casatravis.org.

3. To commemorate its 25th anniversary, the Center for Child Protection released a cookbook with recipes from center staff, volunteers, donors and other supporters Oct. 20. Cookbook recipe contributors include Austin Police Department Chief Art Acevedo and Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton. The book may be purchased for $20 on the center's website or at several local shops, including The Boutique on Stonelake inside the Lexus of Austin dealership, 9910 Stonelake Blvd. Call 512-472-1164 or visitwww.centerforchildprotection.org for more details.

4. The Greater Austin Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals announced its 2015 Philanthropic Award winners Oct. 30. The awards acknowledge people and organizations who help improve quality of life for people in Central Texas. Winners will be recognized Feb. 5 on the 25th anniversary of Philanthropy Day. The 2015 winners are the Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring Campaign, Bridget Black, Karlie Franke, Erika Herndon, Claire Labry, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Arlene Miller, Emily Moreland, Pediatric Dental Professionals and Whole Foods Market. For more information visit www.afpaustin.org.

5. Austin-based TreeFolks needs 500 volunteers to assist with planting more than 50,000 loblolly pine seedlings as part of the Bastrop County Community Reforestation Program to replace trees lost in the 2011 wildfire. Volunteers are needed Dec. 4, Dec. 13, Jan. 10 and Jan. 24. Interested volunteers may register atwww.treefolks.org/volunteer. TreeFolks also needs volunteers to plant native trees Dec. 6 from 5–8 p.m. at Auditorium Shores, 800 W. Riverside Drive. www.treefolks.org/city-shade

6. Northwest Austin–based Austin City Ballet celebrates its 14th season of the "Austin Children's Nutcracker." Dancers are ages 8–18, and the performance is geared toward children. Performances will be Dec. 12–14 and 19–21 and are at the Dougherty Arts Center Theater, 1110 Barton Springs Road. Tickets are $15 for children ages 3–11 and $25 for age 12 and older. Call 512-989-3363 or visitwww.austincityballet.org.

7. Austin Police Operation Blue Santa is hosting its annual toy drive Dec. 5–7. A list of toy drop-off locations may be found at www.bluesanta.org. A kickoff event is being held Dec. 5 from 1–5 p.m. at Russell Korman Fine Jewelry, 5011 Burnet Road, Ste. 100.

8. Drive A Senior, a volunteer-based nonprofit that provides free rides to people age 60 and older, will participate 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. Visit www.driveasenior.org or https://www.givingtuesday.org for more information.