[g-gallery gid="205690"]

Groundbreaking for specially adapted smart home

Supporters of The Gary Sinise Foundation and Lakeway dignitaries joined Army Cpl. Alan “Doc” Babin and his family Nov. 30 on Seawind Drive to start the building process for Babin’s specially adapted smart home.

The foundation assists veterans, first responders and their families as well as others in need of help. Its program—Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment, or R.I.S.E.—provides specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and the home is customized to meet the needs of each individual and their families.

At age 22, Babin, a medic with the 82nd Airborne Division, was wounded in 2003 while serving overseas. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart awards.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

The International School of Texas, 4402 Hudson Bend Road, Austin, celebrated the culmination of its major campus improvement project Nov. 17 with a ribbon cutting held on the school’s soccer field in western Travis County.

The event highlighted IST’s renovations, including expanded classrooms; collaborative furniture, such as ergonomic chairs and standing desks; a basketball court; a science/technology lab; and playground additions.

Rock the Red Kettle ATX Celebrity Golf Tournament

The third annual Rock the Red Kettle ATX Celebrity Golf Tournament was held Nov. 20-21 at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. The event raised more than $505,000 for nonprofit Salvation Army to provide shelter and other services for women and children in Travis and Williamson counties.