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PURSUING THE BETTER ANGELS—AND ANGLES—OF HUMAN NATURE

Welcome to ATX Good News! We launched this storytelling platform in January 2022 to share uplifting, positive stories about Central Texas, for Central Texas. Our page spotlights people, places and events that inspire and help bring our community closer together. Our goal is to make you smile, touch your heart or perhaps even encourage you to find ways to give back to this wonderful place we call home.

Sharing the Latest Good News

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR DETAILS

Big hearts and tireless hands were hard at work today to show our neighbors in need that our community cares, for both people and their pets. @austinpetsalive joined forces with @ctxfoodbank for a huge food distribution day for struggling families. Not only did smiling students from McCallum High School @macjournalism volunteer, so did Austin Mayor Kirk Watson & U.S. Senator John Cornyn. In just a few hours, 650 Central Texas households received help ( which included 397 dogs and 203 cats) After all, feeding the whole family means the beloved fur-members, too.
( photos from @austinpetsalive )

Meet Peggy. This sweet shepherd mix was facing possible euthanasia at a rural Central Texas shelter. But thanks to Take Me Home - Advocates For Transport, she is just one of more than 800 dogs this year who’ve found a forever family in another part of the country, where there’s actually a shortage of dogs to adopt. Take Me Home Transport is a nonprofit with a mission to rescue and transport healthy, adoptable dogs from overcrowded rural shelters here to no-kill shelters in places where adoptable dogs are in high demand. They have two huge transport vans manned by volunteers. Peggy found her permanent home via the New Hampshire SPCA. Her name is now Junie-B and you’ll find her happily playing in her backyard giving her new family endless joy and love. And that’s certainly good news!!! #rescuedog #doglovers #atxgoodnews

READY. SET. SHOP! Judy & Leslie take you behind the scenes of A Christmas Affair, now celebrating 50 years of holiday magic and community impact. It’s more than a holiday market… it’s a mission to help our neighbors in need. ( Nov 19-23 @palmereventscenter )
@jla_achristmasaffair @juniorleague_events_atx
@shelbyrsledge
@i_look_like_a_who

Leslie and Judy are diving headfirst into the holiday spirit! Today they got a sneak peak at The Junior League of Austin's A Christmas Affair. It's the 50th anniversary of this time-honored Austin tradition that opens its doors on Thursday. This is much more than a holiday market...it's a mission...raising more than $1 million for our neighbors in need. Junior League members have donated countless volunteer hours getting ready for the big event. Look for the ATX Good News story this week.
@jla_achristmasaffair @thejuniorleagueofaustin @shelbyrsledge @i_look_like_a_who

A new music partnership is keeping potential pets happy as they wait for adoption at the @austin_humane . Developed by 12-year-old Yuvi Agarwai, @wildtunes_byyuvi soothes shelter animals and encourages volunteer musicians ( at all skills levels) to come play or sing for dogs and cats at the shelter 🐶🐱❤️. #wildtunes #musicheals

Austin’s favorite thrift store has a new look and a new name, but its goal of serving our Central Texas neighbors in need is stronger than ever. This recent ribbon cutting turned the page on a new chapter for the Assistance League of Austin and its beloved THRIFT HOUSE . The landmark store on Burnet Road and the nonprofit are now called Better ATX. But the new moniker doesn’t change the mission of the 100% volunteer-led group. It will continue to focus on education, clothing and care for underserved children. Better ATX pledges that every dollar you spend here will go to make our community stronger and brighter for underserved families.

Photo credit: Kenn Box

Here’s some good news on Veterans Day. Central Texas businesses are hiring our heroes and helping them turn their military experience into meaningful civilian careers. Since 2012, 47,000 veterans have been connected with more than 24,000 employers statewide at the annual Red, White & You Job Fair.
Here’s a look at the big event this year at the Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area. @wfsruralcapjobs CEO Paul Fletcher says, “Veterans bring leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills that employers are actively looking for, and this event helps connect those talents with the right local opportunities.”
The Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Workforce Solutions and the Texas Veterans Commission join forces to hold these hiring events all over the state.

Here's some smile-worthy news for the weekend. Round Rock's Garrison Shin is a finalist for the coveted Rhodes Scholarship to do graduate studies at Oxford University in England. The 22-year-old was born in Russia with no hands and left at an orphanage. His parents adopted him at the age of 2 and brought him to Central Texas. "You can't control where you were born," said Shin, "but I was given a second chance." Garrison is currently studying at McMurray University in Abilene.
( story and photo from the Austin American-Statesman)

These are the faces of a new generation of informed, impactful philanthropists. For 20 years @girlsgivinggrants has inspired young women in Central Texas to lead with compassion. These teens have donated more than $130,000 to local nonprofits. Good news indeed!!! @impact_austin @recognizegood

A Central Texas photographer uses her camera to highlight the joy and individuality of children while helping local kids facing food insecurity.
Rachel Lockwood featured her own black and white photos of children in The Simply Me Gallery Show. Money raised at the event benefitted @backpackfriendsofficial , a nonprofit providing discreet weekend and holiday food packs to at-risk students across Central Texas.

Lockwood says it was heartwarming to see children jump in to help other children during the fundraiser. One 9-year-old donated some of his own allowance and showed up at the event in a tuxedo. Another 10-year-old volunteered to play her harp for guests. More children helped serve snacks.

Rachel's art will be on display again at the upcoming Backpack Friends Holiday Extravaganza on November 7th at Centennial Plaza, 301 Baghdad Street in Round Rock.

Thousands of volunteers are spending this week building 25 homes in Eastern Travis County in just five days!

@habitatforhumanity and @atxhabitat welcomed the community builders in Whisper Valley, the nation’s first geothermal neighborhood, for the 2025 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. This is the first #CarterWorkProject since the passing of President Carter, honoring the legacy he and Mrs. Carter established during nearly four decades of service with Habitat for Humanity.

This year also marks Austin Habitat for Humanity’s 40th anniversary. The nonprofit supports volunteers in building homes for Central Texans who need them most. #atxgoodnews

It's time to celebrate the life-changing impact mentors make in young lives. One week from today,10-27, is National Mentor Day. We salute people like Megan Spencer who’s been a devoted mentor to Navaeh for more than a decade. From 3rd through 12th grade, Megan met weekly with Navaeh to listen, encourage and build confidence. Now Navaeh is in college to pursue a career in the medical field. The bond between Megan and Nevaeh is a beautiful example of how mentoring can truly shape a child’s future.
This is just one of hundreds of success stories from the @seedlingmentors program. For the past 20 years, the Austin nonprofit has partnered with school districts to match consistent, caring mentors with children experiencing the loss of a parent because of incarceration. Right now, an estimated 8,000 school-age kids in Central Texas have a parent in prison & @seedlingmentors can help keep many of them stay in school and on a positive path forward. #mentor #caring #confidenceboost #mentorshipmatters
https://www.seedlingmentors.org/

We are thrilled one of our favorite ATX Good News stories is getting coverage all across the country!@christophewaggoner has a heart as big as his Halloween costume mission: October's Child. The Washington Post and now CBS News are among the many media outlets shining the spotlight on him. Congratulations Christophe!!!
Do you know someone making a positive difference in our community - share the good news: https://www.atxgoodnews.com/

Good News: it’s the golden anniversary of giving back through the annual Settlement Home Garage and Estate Sale. That’s 5 decades of a beloved community event that directly benefits girls who’ve endured abuse & neglect ... girls who’ve found healing, hope and new purpose at the Settlement Home. Every year, hundreds of hardworking volunteers spend countless hours at a huge warehouse sorting, pricing and then setting up displays at the Palmer Events Center for the big sale. They give their time because they’ve seen how the programs at the Settlement Home transform young lives.
So come to the Palmer Events Center the first weekend of November & check out all the treasures donated by generous Central Texans...everything from toys to furniture, sports equipment, crystal, china, clothing, jewelry and more. You’ll be taking part in a 50 year Austin tradition of lifting up young women trying to make a new start.
The Settlement Home Garage and Estate Sale is November 5 & 7-9 at the Palmer Events Center. @thesaleatx @settlementhome

While Longhorn fans are focused on the Red River Rivalry today, earlier this week U.T. student safety took center stage. At National Night Out, sponsored by the nonprofit @safehorns, Longhorns not only learned vital safety tips, they made meaningful connections with neighbors and first responders. Students were also able to tap into valuable resources like mental health support.
#hookemhorns #StaySafe #campussafety

We are thrilled the @washingtonpost covered our story about October's Child in Austin! The nonprofit's founder, @christophewaggoner, repairs and refurbishes Halloween costumes and decor all year long and gives them away for free. We first met Christophe last year, and his effort to put smiles on more faces keeps growing.

ATX Good News is certainly worth sharing with the nation and the world! Congrats Christophe and all of your volunteers!

Here's the story link: (copy and paste) https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2025/10/09/halloween-costume-free-austin-waggoner/

They may have tiny hands but they have big hearts! The students at local @primroseschools are spreading preschool-powered joy. Through a partnership with the Ronald McDonald House the little ones have decorated and delivered more than 600 cards to children facing serious health challenges and their families. Thanks to their colorful, heartfelt cards, the Ronald McDonald House Happy Wheels cart is well-stocked.
@rmhcctx

If you have a big heart for helping others - but don't always have time to volunteer - here's a wonderful way to give back to Central Texas nonprofits. Impact Austin is a collective giving group of women that's been around for 22 years. Today the group announced a big change in its membership model, making it accessible to more women!
On ATX Good News, Judy and Leslie talk with @impact_austin board chair, Claudia Barlow, about why the change means the group can make an even bigger impact in our community.

It's National Childhood Cancer Awareness month and ATX Good News celebrates volunteer Christen Killebrew, AKA Mermaid Pearl. This scuba instructor has donated countless hours of her time, talent and treasure to bring joy to children battling cancer. Christen volunteers with The Brooklynn Miller Foundation, a Central Texas nonprofit creating lasting memories and providing heartfelt gifts to lift the spirits of those facing childhood cancer.

( This story came to us through our storytelling partnership with @ilivehereigivehere )

Providing meaningful work for disabled Texans is certainly good news. This week, I (Judy Maggio) had the joy & honor to share the stage with dozens of Texans with disabilities who've found jobs, new purpose and brighter futures thanks to a longtime partnership between the nonprofit Workquest and the Texas Workforce Commission. Congratulations to all of the nominees and the winner of the 2025 Artie Lee Hinds Award - Christopher Gates of Goodwill Industries. This award goes to a disabled Texan who has shown commitment to excellence, leadership and perseverance!

Former U.T. star athletes recently teed up to teach and inspire Central Texas young people. @coltmccoy, @jamaalcharles and Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam were among the legends who hit the links with 100 local children to share life lessons along with golf tips. @bankofamerica's Golf with Us program put on the free clinic for children from several local nonprofits, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area and African American Youth Harvest Foundation.

On today's ATX Good News, Judy & Leslie talk with beloved Austin business owner & philanthropist @bobbyjenkinsabc who recently completed a cross-continent bike ride! He pedaled for 5,500 miles with his brother to raise $ for research into Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) and the foundation he started to honor his first grandson. @abc.texas

ATX Good News was thrilled to play a role in today’s @austinchamber Austin Gives Awards honoring local businesses that donate their time, treasure and talent to Central Texas nonprofits. What an honor for us to interview Nyle Maxwell, the 2025 Philanthropist of the Year. Congratulations to all of the winners!

An Austin man has made it his mission to make sure every child has a Halloween costume -- at no cost!
Meet @christophewaggoner, who founded the nonprofit October's Child, and gives away hundreds of people and pet costumes every year (oh, and decorations too!).
https://octoberschild.com/

From patrol car to catwalk...it's all for the kids! Williamson County law officers walked the runway at a recent fundraiser, modeling designer purses in a friendly competition. The Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center's Hope, Heroes and Handbags event helped raise more $300,000 for children impacted by abuse, violence & exploitation. Many of these same law officers investigate crimes against children and partner with the center to keep kids safe. The big winner this year? Chief Banks with the @roundrockpolice Department!

( photos courtesy of @wilcocac)

Here's some good news for soccer lovers AND animal lovers. Before they start scoring on the field - @austinfc volunteers are scoring points with the dogs and cats at @austinpetsalive.
Austin FC and Austin Pets Alive also have a unique, honorary mascot partnership. APA features one of its adoptable dogs at each home match through the regular season. So far, more than 100 pups have found new homes thanks to this team effort! Verde y Perros = Amor.
( Photos from @Austin FC)

For the first time ever, AUSTIN will host @habitatforhumanity's signature Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project -- a national building event that brings thousands of volunteers together in one community for a single week.
The big build will happen in late October and will mark @atxhabitat’s expansion into eastern Travis County, with homes built in Whisper Valley, the first fully geothermal neighborhood in the United States. Volunteers will construct 25 affordable homes for local families.

The @dellfoundation has committed a $1 million matching gift to Austin Habitat for Humanity, so every donation through September will be matched.

Find more information and donate here -
https://austinhabitat.org/get.../carter-work-project-2025/
#atxgoodnews #volunteers #HabitatForHumanity

@eanesisd kindergartners and seniors got a special welcome back to school in the first-ever "Senior Send-Off / Kinder Kick-Off" celebration!

The Classes of 2026 and 2038 marked the beginning and end of their educational journeys in the West Austin school district with a party at Westlake High School's Chaparral Stadium.

The event, presented by the @wefundteachers and the @westlakealumniassociation , honored the promise of new beginnings and the pride of accomplishments.
Good luck in learning this year!
#BackToSchool2025 #ATXGoodNews

You can make a positive difference in the lives of others, no matter what your age. We first featured retired Fencing Coach Gary Murray when he designed and launched an innovative program to teach fencing at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Since then, he's worked with fencing coaches across the country on how to teach the sport to people who are blind and visually impaired and co-chaired an international task force to get blind fencing into the Paralympics. Now, Coach Murray has been awarded the 2025 US Fencing Coaching Association's Award of Merit for Career Contributions to the Coaching and Teaching of Fencing. Congratulations Coach!!!

It’s almost back-to-school time. Thanks to a new nonprofit and generous donors, 1,500 deserving Austin children are ready with new backpacks! Check out the smiles at the recent Back to School Fiesta at Toney Burger Center. Community by Sanchez hosted the event. That's the nonprofit launched by Beth Sanchez at Sanchez Law. Beth is a proud graduate of Austin public schools and the first in her family to attend college. The goal of Community by Sanchez is to lift up local families with mentoring, scholarships and school supplies.

Austin musicians, poets, and other artists gave of their time and talent at this Texas flood relief concert at Riverbend Centre for the Arts. All of the proceeds benefited @adrntx and @convoyofhope. @riverbendatx has raised $75,000 for the two nonprofits since the early July flooding. I was honored to emcee and get to hear so many amazing artists. @leslie_rhode

ATX Good News salutes this Good Samaritan - Mike O'Bryan. Our friend and follower, Karen Sonleitner, was on her way home from San Antonio along 290W this weekend, when her tire pressure alarm went off and she started smelling burned rubber. A driver's side tire had blown out. As she retrieved her spare and started contemplating the safety of changing it herself, Mike O'Bryan pulled off the road and came to the rescue! He did a dandy job as Karen waved off traffic. Mike refused to take any payment for his good deed. Now, Karen says she plans to "pay it forward" by helping someone else in a jam.
#goodnews #goodsamaritan

Here’s an ATX Good News success story. Meet Odalis Hidalgo Perez. As a middle schooler, she faced major life challenges. But thanks to guidance and support from the local nonprofit CARY (Council on At-Risk Youth), Odalis stayed in school, was awarded a college scholarship and graduated with an education degree from Texas State University. Now she is a beloved biology teacher at Bastrop High School! As a teacher, Odalis gives back to students just like her, mentoring, listening and showing them with perseverance, anything is possible. @cary4kids provides one-on-one counseling, teaches empowering life-skills and anger management to high-risk students in Central Texas who could easily go down the wrong path.
(Odalis’ story came to us through our storytelling partnership with @ilivehereigivehere - amplifying the work of local nonprofits. )

We introduced you to Bill Wallace, Director of @tomorrowspromisefoundation, recently in an interview about the nonprofit's summer engagement camp for young people.
Now, we're celebrating Bill himself being named a 2025 Major League Soccer Hometown Hero! Congrats to all of the winners!

The distinction honors nonprofit leaders who demonstrate innovative approaches to serving those in greatest need.

Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation takes a holistic approach to helping children with physical and emotional wellness and also supports their parents and caregivers in the home. Read more about the nonprofit here: https://www.tomorrowspromisefoundation.org/
Read more about the winners here: https://mlshometownheroes.com/
#ATXGoodNews #AustinFC #mlshometownheroes

ATX Good News celebrates @antshappyending and all the nonprofit does for senior dogs! This senior dog sanctuary transitions abandoned senior dogs to loving, healing, forever homes.
Most of these dogs are available for adoption. Please look and consider bringing one into your family!

The founder, Jody French, lost her son in a terrible drunk driving accident in 2020. He had a history of rescuing animals, so she founded this nonprofit in his name. (Anthony was called "Ant.")

** The nonprofit's next fundraiser is Thursday, July 24, from 12-3pm at Jeni’s Ice Cream on South Congress. Check out the image. Go get some ice cream and help these fabulous senior dogs live the lives they deserve to live. 🙂

We were thrilled to sit down with Bill Wallace of @tomorrowspromisefoundation to learn about the nonprofit's inspiring Youth Summer Camp. The fun social, emotional, and educational skills young people learn at the camp empower them to thrive in the future.

PS - Bill was just named a Hometown Hero by Major League Soccer and @austinfc! We hope to share more photos and celebrate his leadership soon.

** This story came to us through our partners at Austin Social Venture Partners -- a group of community leaders who provide pro bono advice and resources to local nonprofits to help ensure people from all walks of life have the chance to meet their full potential.

Wrapping up a weekend full of magical music in the mountains of Taos, New Mexico. The @sherisesfest is led by Austin singer songwriter @andreamageemusic . Many of Austin's favorite female musicians joined forces for a 2-day benefit concert to raise money for @musichelps_atx , Andrea's nonprofit that brings the joy of music to children who've faced trauma and unimaginable challenges. Music Helps brings the healing connection of music to children at the @helpinghandhome and helps them feel safe, supported and seen. @ginachavez @susannahoffsofficial @carihutson @leeannatherton

When temperatures started rising this summer, nonprofit @texashumaneheroes was looking for new ways to keep their rescued animals cool — when a local business stepped in to keep the pets comfortable. @austinairconditioning donated three AC units to keep the kennels cool. Now these dogs and cats that are waiting for forever homes have comfy places to sleep and play. Just look at those happy faces!

Texas Humane Heroes in Leander rescues dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters and places them in loving homes. We heard about this from our storytelling partner, I Live Here I Give Here, amplifying the needs of local nonprofits and connecting Central Texans with causes they care about.
#atxgoodnews #ilivehereigivehere #texashumaneheroes

We love animal stories with happy endings! On this episode of ATX Good News, our guest is Sue Meller who has penned a beautiful book, 'Teeny Tiny Tomi,' chronicling the incredible journey of a puppy abandoned at an Austin bus stop. The book is a powerful testament to the kindness of strangers and the collective power of community and compassion. Proceeds from the book are helping formerly homeless people at Community First Village take care of their pets. https://teenytinytomi.com/

Floodwaters from the San Gabriel River poured into Jeff and Anna Wiles' Leander home last weekend. But this weekend they are counting their blessings after a team of tireless volunteers showed up to help with brush clearing and a massive cleanup. These volunteers are from Grace Covenant Church and the Austin Disaster Relief Network. ATX Good News salutes the countless, compassionate people in Central Texas who are helping with disaster relief in the aftermath of the heartbreaking flooding.

In the aftermath of the heartbreaking flooding, there are countless stories of hope and help. Here's just one: Jeff and Anna Wiles feel fortunate they were able to escape their "forever" home along the San Gabriel River in Leander when floodwaters came rushing in last weekend. But little did they know, 40+volunteers from the Austin Disaster Relief Network would also rush in to help them, a week later. This tireless team from Grace Covenant Church spent much of the weekend clearing brush, cleaning out the Wiles' flood-soaked belongings and ripping out ruined insulation and sheetrock. Anna said, "We are blessed. They took care of weeks of work in just a few hours! "
Anna and Jeff have been married 42 years. She just retired from the Texas Department of Emergency Management ... but never dreamed she and Jeff would soon face their own emergency.
#neighborshelpingneighbors #disasterrelief

You can't rain on the parade of the feisty, fabulous, and always fun, Lawn Chair Brigade !!! For 20 years, they've been wowing the crowds with their fancy footwork at the annual NW Hills 4th of July Parade. #atxgoodnews #hapy4thofjuly🇺🇸

Here's a smile-worthy story to start your work week: the Pre-K Graduation at the Rise School of Austin. Half of the students at @riseatx have a disability or learning delay. These preschoolers get high quality early education and therapies in speech, OT, PT and music in an inclusive environment. Congratulations and onward to Kindergarten!!!

Now there's a place in Austin where you can do vintage shopping AND benefit women trying to get back on their feet and find stable work. That's what the @dressforsuccessatx new boutique-style resale shop is all about. It’s called Impact Apparel and it offers high-quality, pre-loved clothing and accessories that are an earth-friendly alternative to fast fashion. The money you spend here supports the mission of Dress for Success and women like Monique. She was referred to DFSA by Safe Place, found the resources and support she needed and is now thriving at a new job at PepsiCo.
Here's more info about @impactapparelatx
Th 12-6pm & Sat 11am-3pm
3000 S. I-35 Frontage Rd. STE. 175, Austin TX 78704

Two Austin businesses partnered to offer sweet summertime treats to raise money and awareness for the nonprofit, @fostervillageaustin .

@gracefulspacesorganizing, a home organizing business, hosted a lemonade stand at the Container Store in North Austin. It’s part of Foster Village’s “Growing a Village is Sweet” campaign.

The nonprofit bridges the gap between those in foster care and those who want to help, providing practical needs like clothing and other essential supplies for foster families. #fostervillage #lemonade #fosterchildren

And they're off...
Flipper power propelled these Austin neighbors up a steep hill to the fin-ish line in a weekend race to benefit @dellchildrensfoundation. Tarrytown neighbor Douglas Gowland( seen here in the hat and Hawaiian shirt) started this annual Flipper Walk 5 years ago as a wacky, wonderful way to raise money for @dell_childrens & to "flip off cancer." Thanks to generous sponsors and willing walkers, the "toughest 1/10 mile marathon in America wearing scuba flippers " has raised more than $17,000! ATX Good News is happy to report no one floundered and it was a
fin-tastic race!!!

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