new Year. Fresh start.
The 11 families featured in the Statesman’s Season for Caring program this morning start the year with new hopes and new possibilities.
Since American-Statesman launched its 24th Annual Season for Caring on Thanksgiving weekend, the community has come together to raise $1,194,825 in donations and an additional $11,686 in goods and services. A total of $1,312,511 is his third highest amount at this point in the campaign. It is his sixth year for a politician’s philanthropic program to surpass his $1 million mark.
Since 1999, Season for Caring has donated $18.3 million to local nonprofits to help featured families at first, but then basics such as rent, utilities, transportation, medical care and groceries. We have helped thousands of people over the years with their unique needs.
The community achieved these figures by meeting the Sheth family’s $500,000 match, a $250,000 gift from Pat Munday, and numerous other monetary contributions starting at $5 from individuals, families, groups of friends and colleagues. did.
learn more:How the Statesman Season for Caring Program Helps Families


Gift giving doesn’t have to end with a New Year’s Eve ball drop. Monetary and in-kind donations collected by January 31 will support nonprofits and families in the 2022 program.
Here are some of the support donations have already given to this year’s featured families.
- The Kemokai family, now living in an RV in Granger due to rent increases, spent the night at the Driskill Hotel and took their dog, Millie, to the vet. They dream of having their own house. Families need help with rent, land, mobile homes, and real estate guidance. Chemokai also need a gently used vehicle.Small items are available on Amazon wish listFather Roland, 42, is seeking guidance for his music career. (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, 512-541-4226, myhaam.org)
- 79-year-old Sheri Harvey suffers from debilitating pain from arthritis. The community met many of her needs for incontinence supplies through her. wish list on Amazon. The season four caring funds helped her senior pay the rent for her living center. She needs an aged care manager, and she and her 52-year-old son Scott need financial advisors, legal advice on evictions, and help finding a new place for Scott to live. increase. (Central Texas Age, 512-649-2211, ageofcentraltx.org)
- Jay Lee, a 33-year-old veteran attending school to become a social worker, was able to fill the academy’s basket with clothes for himself and his daughter. help him with his rent while he continues to go to He needs gender-affirming care, and his 13-year-old daughter, Tiare, needs the opportunity for his summer camp and his mental health therapy. In addition, their wish list Smaller items are available on Amazon. (Nominated by the Foundation Community, 512-447-2026, foundcom.org.)


- Joey Jimenez, 28, who has a brain tumor, received a lot of the clothing he needed at the academy. Another donor helped with his gravestone, but more funeral costs are needed. . his wish list It’s on Amazon. (Hospice Austin, 512-342-4726, Hospice Austin)
- Anatole Lee, 58, has seen the community fulfill many of his projects. wish list, containing tools to help him resume his odd job. Suffering a traumatic brain injury and seeing employment as a pandemic-affected security guard, Lee needs help sorting out his gently used van and apartment. (Family care, 512-450-0844, familyeldercare.org)
- Sandra Stephenson, 66, is on dialysis and has lost her sight. She will be getting a second opinion from her Dr. Armitage Harper at Austin Retina Associates this month. She needs help with many home improvements including new floors, kitchen, electrical work, interior and exterior painting, new decks, fencing and landscaping. her wish list It’s on Amazon. (Central Texas Interreligious Actions, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org)


- Juana Betancarto, 38, a mother of seven whose husband was deported for domestic violence, is about to move into a new home. She needs a hood her truck mentorship to start her business and a low-use car.she wish list It’s on Amazon. (SAFE Alliance, 512-665-1858, safeaustin.org)
- Nakisha Taylor, 33, lives in a furnished three-bedroom apartment thanks to monetary donations to Caritas in Austin, as well as in-kind donations from St. Martin Lutheran Church and Amazon wishlist purchases.Taylor san is now able to move her children home after years of homelessness. Her two biggest needs are a low-use car and a mentor to start a nonprofit. (Caritas in Austin 512-621-9327, caritasofaustin.org)
- Shogufa Afshar, 39, who came to the United States from Afghanistan with three children after her husband was killed, had almost all of her family’s wishes fulfilled by the elves at Grisham Middle School. She reached out to her community in Austin, her college, and even to support her English lessons and career opportunities. She needs handyman services to help fix some things in her house. (Central Texas Interreligious Actions, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org)


- Leslie Romero, 33, has five children, one of whom has undergone multiple surgeries. The community acquired many sensory toys for their son Amari, but her wish list increased after her apartment flooded on Christmas Eve. I need new towels, sheets, dining table and living room furniture. She needs her iPad not only to help Amari move to a new location, but also to help Amari communicate. her wish list It’s on Amazon. (Baby Can, 512-276-8199, anybabycan.org)
- Araceli Ramirez, 49, has stage 4 breast cancer and is being cared for by her 22-year-old son, Jesus.they received some items their wish list Her biggest request is a second opinion on cancer. She also has many home repair needs such as new floors, painting, landscaping, fencing, bathroom and kitchen redo. (Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-524-2560, bcrc.org)


How to donate to Season for Caring
Find printed daily coupons Page 8E or go to statesman.com/seasonforcaring.
To donate:Use the form below or click here: https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring