STARS SHINE BRIGHT IN AUSTIN,
Raising $2.8 Million to End the Cycle of Child Abuse
The Grand Ballroom of the JW Marriott set the stage for the 18th annual Dancing with the Stars Austin to support the Center for Child Protection. More than 1,100 philanthropists and supporters gathered to watch 11 of the city's most influential figures trade in their comfort zones for the dance floor, pairing up with professional dancers to deliver show-stopping performances. This year's star-studded event was hosted by emcees Lauren Zima (Entertainment Tonight) and Chris Harrison (formerly The Bachelor), and featured a lively auction and dazzling entertainment.
Contestant Monica Fabbio wowed the crowd and judges, taking home the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy, while Maryanne McKenzie was honored with the Fundraising and Awareness Award for her incredible dedication to the cause. Funds raised will help the Center continue to provide vital services, including forensic interviews, therapy, and medical care to survivors of child abuse.
CEO for the Center for Child Protection Michael Torres said this year's event was a vibrant showcase of Austin’s philanthropic spirit. “The $2.8 million the community helped us to raise will make a profound difference in the lives of the children we serve, offering them hope for a brighter future,” he said.
Since its inception, Dancing with the Stars Austin has raised over $27 million, making it one of the Center’s largest and most impactful fundraisers. For more information about the Center for Child Protection and its mission, visit centerforchildprotection.org.
Kit Sheffield and Elina Sharipova
PHOTO BY JEFF LOFTIN
Ryan Rogers, Bridget Ramey, and Jeremy O'Bannon
PHOTO BY JEFF LOFTIN
J.R. Martinez and Liz and Dan Bandstra
PHOTO BY JEFF LOFTIN
Maryanne McKenzie and Travis Herman PHOTO BY JEFF LOFTIN
Devin Raymond and Kylee Orlando PHOTO BY JEFF LOFTIN
Tommy Schwegmann and Lisa Jauregui
PHOTO BY JEFF LOFTIN
Amy Beard, Michael Torres, and Bridget Ramey
PHOTO BY TICO MENDOZA
Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima
PHOTO BY TICO MENDOZA Bill Bayless, Christy Carlson Romano, and J.R. Martinez
PHOTO BY TICO MENDOZA
Monica Fabbio and Nolan Whitely
PHOTO BY JEFF LOFTIN
Around the Neighborhood:
The Health Optimisation Summit is com ing to the Palmer Events Center in Austin on April 12th-13th. Founded by the UK’s leading biohacker, Tim Gray, the Summit has grown into a globally recognized platform for holistic, action able wellness. The event will include a collective of world-class, forward-thinking speakers from the biohacking, nutrition, longevity, fitness, function al, and preventative medicine fields. An inter active expo will showcase innovations in health and wellness, allowing attendees to experience the latest health technologies, including wearable sound therapy devices, natural appetite support solutions, PEMF therapy mats, red-light systems, compression suits, ozone therapy, anti-aging tech nology, and revolutionary footwear. Visit https:// usa.healthoptimisation.com to learn more and secure tickets.
SERANA WELLNESS CENTER
Janice Ta
BY FORREST PREECE
Janice was born in a refugee camp for Vietnamese boat people in Pulau Bidong, Malaysia, where she contracted polio when she was six months old. Her parents had the choice to obtain medical care with the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland or through Catholic Charities and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. Her parents chose the latter.
While growing up in public housing projects in Dallas, Janice’s family was supported by a rich community of immigrants.
The treatments she received at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children were life-changing. “I grew up working with some of the best pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the world,” Janice says. “I aspired to be a doctor like my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lori Karol, who passed away two years ago.”
However, other academic fields began calling out to her when she was planning her college career. Around 1984, Janice’s family moved to Garland, a Dallas suburb, where her parents still live. Janice graduated from Garland High School in 1997, and attended Stanford, where she earned a B.A. in Art History and a B.S. in Symbolic Systems, where she focused on studies in Human-Computer Interaction. The latter degree’s rigorous course program ranges from computer science to philosophy, psychology, linguistics, and complex math to explore systems that use symbols to understand the world.
Stanford was where she met her husband, John Beavers, who was a graduate student in the school’s linguistics department and a teaching assistant in one of Janice’s classes. They started dating well after she graduated. After college, Janice
became a product designer at Plaxo, Inc., a start-up in Mountain View, California, which was later acquired by Comcast. In Silicon Valley, she saw the rise and fall of the dot-com boom and bust.
When John started teaching linguistics at Georgetown University, Janice followed him to DC where she served as the Interim Director of Disability Mentoring Day at the National Association of People with Disabilities. Inspired by her experiences helping other people improve their lives, she decided she would seek a career in the legal profession.
From 2007-2010, she attended Yale Law School, where she excelled. During her last year in law school, she was the President of the National Association of Law Students with Disabilities. After graduating, she served as a judicial clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. Janice then joined John in Austin, where he is now Chair of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Texas. Austin is a vibrant place to practice her field of intellectual property law. In any given year, the judges in Texas command the dockets for 30-50% of the patent litigation nationwide. Janice is currently practicing at Perkins Cole, an international law firm that specializes in work with tech companies. Her career has flourished. In 2018 and 2019, she was recognized as a Texas Rising Star for her work in the field of intellectual property litigation. And in 2022, she was recognized as one of six Top Women in IP law in Texas.
She represents some of the world’s leading technology companies, so that they can continue to grow and innovate. One of the victories she
is most proud of was winning an administrative trial at the International Trade Commission—and doing it with an incredibly diverse team. “The Court not only found that our client did not infringe the patent, it also determined that the complainant lacked an economic industry in the United States worth protecting.” She says that those who practice at this Court know it is rare for defendants to win on this issue. But Janice’s team dissected every relevant license, dug into the case law, and worked closely with an expert to build the defense. “It was a close but unexpected win, and we savored it.”
Janice is also proud of the victories she has achieved for pro bono clients. For instance, she has helped several nonprofits obtain trademarks and copyrights, worked on behalf of a death row inmate, assisted a client in attaining a divorce from an abusive husband, and aided a small business owner in overturning an unfair judgment.
She has always had a wide range of interests in life, and Ballet Austin is a beneficiary of Janice’s talent and intellect. Now that she joined their board, she hopes to help the organization deal with any intellectual property issues it may have. “As a person with a disability, I also want to continue advocating to expand outreach to an often overlooked population that could really benefit from participation in the dance, health, and
wellness classes and culture of Ballet Austin. Dance should be for everyone.”
When asked about Austin, she says that she loves the idealism and dynamism of this city. She feels it has a rich intellectual and creative culture that attracts smart people. And she has a great community of intellectual property attorneys who she co-counsels with or opposes. “At the end of the day, we respect each other and can all go out for dinner, even in the most hard-fought cases.”
JANICE’S
REFLECTIONS ON HER CAREER.
As a disabled woman of color and first generation attorney, I had very few role models for how to navigate the law. Before starting as a summer associate at a law firm, I remembered fretting about whether I should even wear a skirt to work – and expose my leg brace – or stick with pants so that other people would feel comfortable. I know now that my job here is not to make other people feel comfortable. My mentor told me that if I ever found myself at a firm where I could not be my authentic self, that’s not a firm where I should stay.
My clients know that I am dedicated to them, and those values that make me a client-oriented attorney—hard work, empathy, and tenacity— come from my experience as a person with a disability, as an immigrant, and as a woman of color. Our perceived differenc-
es do not define us. They make us stronger. For women of color, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to know your worth. Seek out a boardroom of mentors who know your worth, who will be direct
Janice Ta
Janice in Hoi An, Vietnam. This photo was taken during her recent trip to Vietnam, where she and her parents visited their ancestral homes in Saigon.
From left to right: Ezra Beavers, Fuong Ha, John Beavers, Janice, Morrissey Beavers, Duong
A photo from 1981, two years after Janice’s parents arrived in the US. Her mother is wearing bell bottoms that she made herself and they are standing in front of their first car. Left to right – Fuong Ha, Janice Ta, Thomas Ta,
Valentine’s Memories
BY FORREST PREECE
It’s getting close to February 14, so I asked a couple of friends to tell me about their favorite memories of that date.
This year for Valentine’s Day, I’m dreaming of a warm Caribbean getaway, escaping the chill of Texas. My husband Ben Wear and I are still savoring the memories of our last beach getaway, to the island of Roatan as the guests of our nephew and his family. Joe and Chelsie are the perfect hosts, having stayed on Roatan many times. As we discovered, no matter what the need, Joe always “had a guy.” Whether it was snorkeling, fishing, zip-lining, touring the nature preserves, or checking out the dining options, Joe made all of Roatan’s attractions easy to enjoy. Their island home is appropriately named Sosagada Roatan, meaning calm, peaceful, and without worries.
Until the next time we can visit, sharing Roatan with family will be a Valentine’s dream! — Kristy Ozmun
My husband and I got married on February 14th, so we have never really celebrated Valentine’s Day. However, our 10th wedding anniversary was quite special! My husband surprised me with a trip to Chicago. We spent a day doing the usual tourist things and visited a few museums, ending the day with an amazing six-course dinner at a fabulous restaurant. The next day, he asked me if I would like to do some window shopping on Michigan Avenue, and of course I said yes! After a short time, he steered me into a custom furrier and told me I could pick any coat I wanted, within reason. I chose a full-length Blackglama mink! Definitely my most memorable anniversary, at least to date! --Sherlyn Smith Jones
Imagine A Way’s Gala Raises Funds to Provide Autism Therapies
Kicks,” and guests paired their favorite sneaker’s with cocktail
millions with his positivity and hard-working attitude in now-viral videos. The mission of Imagine a Way is to provide ongoing financial support and a network of resources to families with children (ages 2-7) affected by autism. The primary role is to help families offset the costs of critical therapies that have proven to have the most significant impact in a child’s lifelong success, so that families can realize their child’s full potential. Since their founding in 2010, they have helped over 155 children in central Texas and funded over 420,000 therapy hours for a total spend of $2.5 million. For more information, visit www.imagineaway.org.
John and Jennifer Parres, Lanelle and Bert Deardorf, and Joel and Carolyn Price
William Neils, Carolyn Price, Jan Neils, and Keith and Nikki Maples
Dale Holder and William Niels
Angela Stout and Kelly and Clay Fritsch
Mark Jackson, Lisa Hallee, Keith and Nikki Maples, and Joel and Carolyn Price
Dale Holder, Charlie Harris, Kevin Holder, and Jonathan Gard
Chad and Sara Jane Cantwell
Jake and Sarah Gilbreath Mark and Shelley Hopkins
Joel Price and Kyle Wakefield
Kristy and Ben join family on a water taxi ride off Roatan, Honduras.
(counterclockwise) Sherlyn, Cameron, Brandon, and Richard Jones.
Mental health impacts us
all.
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to be healthy and happy. Although mental wellness can be addressed on an individual level, when we are all healthy, we are collectively stronger.
Engage & Heal Foundation | February 2025 50% 10 to 14 1 in 5 1 in 6 youth
Founded in 2019 a�er the tragic loss of Lake Travis High School (LTHS) honors student and varsity football player Erik Hanson to suicide, family friend and community ac�vist Amelia Floyd set out to share resources with students and raise awareness about mental health challenges. With support from the community, Floyd founded the Erik Hanson Memorial Scholarship raising $10,000 and awarding three $2,000 scholarships for Lake Travis football players who demonstrated need.
The scholarship tagline, “Engage and Heal,” an acronym for Hanson’s name, quickly caught on, along with a demand for more mental health resources in the Lake Travis community.
Nearly six years later, the Engage and Heal Founda�on has demonstrated unwavering dedica�on to the community. The nonprofit organiza�on provides educa�on to help individuals - parents, educators, community members, and students - develop mental health literacy, and resources to help those who are suffering.
The founda�on believes preven�on, interven�on and recovery can all start with a simple conversa�on. Engage and Heal Founda�on is on a mission to engage communi�es within Lake Travis Independent School District (LTISD) boundaries and priori�ze mental health so that every young person feels heard, supported and connected.
The following statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) highlight why mental health resources need to be prioritized for every member of our community:
adults experience some form of mental illness each year
youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
& Heal Foundation board members accept the Austin Young Chamber FAVE Awards 2024
What Our Neighbors Are Saying...
“Students today are under a lot of pressure and it’s not always clear how or where you can get help if you need to talk to someone. I want young people to understand that it’s okay not to be okay, but there are people ready to help you work through it. Whether you’re a student, an adult, an athlete or an artist, you don’t have to go it alone. The Engage and Heal Foundation really supports students and educators, and I am glad we have this resource here at Lake Travis High School and in our community.”
“I am extremely proud that we have an organization like Engage and Heal in our community that promotes open communication about mental health, especially for the youth in our district. The resources that they offer for treatment and prevention are invaluable and I am proud to be a supporter of their work.”
- Amber Hart | Realtor, Philanthropist, Speaker
- Robby Belmarez | Lake Travis High School Senior
“In 2025, prioritizing mental health is more important than ever, as it affects every aspect of our lives and the well-being of those we care about. By fostering conversations and providing education, Engage and Heal Foundation helps build stronger, more compassionate communities, while ending mental health stigma. It is truly an honor to work alongside the foundation to provide mental health support and resources.
- Anna Bunker | Director of Programs, NAMI Central Texas
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14
Engage
A Lasting Impact
The Engage and Heal Foundation helps to address and reduce the stigma associated with mental health and provides resources to help communities work together toward healthier outcomes.
By providing space for meaningful discussions and insight sharing, the Engage and Heal Foundation develops innovative strategies that address the holistic needs of individuals and communities alike. The organization is proud to bring the following activities and interventions to life within LTISD boundaries:
▫ Offer the ROPES Course at Lake Travis High School to teach teamwork, leadership skills and confidence; more than 900 individuals served to-date
▫ Provide mental health basics to create age-appropriate mental health literacy for youth in grades 5-8, in partnership with community organizations and school clubs
▫ Educate youth in grades 9-12 through mental health literacy seminars
▫ Activate a Student Ambassador program to raise awareness of mental health and help students recognize warning signs
▫ Partner with the Lake Travis High School LT Breathe Initiative club to maintain the Zen Room, an on-campus calming space for students
▫ Ensure access to online therapy for faculty, teachers and students through Anticipate Joy
▫ Reach LTISD parents and community members through mental health forums to expand mental health literacy education and prevention
Austin’s Spirit of Giving Shines Bright at Mozart’s 2024 Festival of Lights Giving Campaign Awards Ceremony
By: Anne DeVries
On January 4th, 2025, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters concluded their annual Festival of Lights by announcing the four recipients of their 2024 Giving Campaign. This year, the campaign awarded $50,000, with each winner receiving $12,500 to support their impactful work in the Austin community.
For over 30 years, Mozart’s has been a gathering place in Austin, providing more than just coffee—it’s been a hub for connection and care. Owners of Mozart’s, Ken and Stacey Leonard, are committed to being part of the solution for the city they love. As Ken Leonard shared, “I want to share joy with the most people I can,” capturing the purpose behind their work and their giving.
The Giving Campaign process began on November 4th this year. Nominations for eligible Central Texas 501c3 nonprofits were accepted from November 4 through December 6 with submissions from the public or the organization. Each nomination required basic information about the non-profit, including its mission and target audience, within one of the four focus areas for the campaign: Community Service, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Wildlife & Conservation. The 2024 campaign drew over 750 applications from the 14,000 nonprofits in Austin. Mozart’s Nonprofit Selection Committee, composed of individuals with long histories of involvement in Austin’s non-profit world, worked as Mozart’s decision-makers. The committee reviewed the submissions and narrowed the applicant pool to 12 semi-finalists. During interviews conducted by the committee, additional details were acquired from the semi-finalists, including the potential impact of the donation.
All 12 semi-finalists were invited to the announcement ceremony for the campaign’s closing ceremony on Mozart’s deck, alongside the grand finale of the Festival of Lights at Mozarts, which ran for 36 nights. The event brought together staff, community members, and supporters to celebrate the contributions of the nonprofits.
MC Hannah Rucker from KVUE brought jubilance and warmth to the evening.
During Rucker’s opening remarks, she expressed her appreciation for the setting that surrounded attendees, saying, “I just love this place (Mozart’s); you think about Keep Austin Weird, and the root of that is the small local businesses that keep it so quirky and colorful, and you can feel that tonight.” Rucker expressed her love for Austin and its caring nature, considering her role at the event “a complete honor.”
The selection criteria for the awards focused on the nature of the request, its impact on the local community, and the passion and potential behind each cause. The thoughtful process developed for evaluating the applicants ensures the funds make a meaningful difference and are applied where they are most needed.
The award winners for the 2024 Giving Campaign included Keep Austin Fed (Community Service), Austin Texas Musicians (Arts and Entertainment), The Austin Science Education Foundation (Education), and Austin Wildlife Rescue (Wildlife & Conservation). Members of each organization were on hand to be recognized by the community and accept their awards.
Ken and Stacey Leonard’s vision of “living here and giving here” has become a hallmark of Mozart’s relationship with Austin. By directing visibility to the nonprofit sector and increasing their giving fivefold from 2023,
Austin
Giving Campaign Semifinalists from TreeFolks (Left side of table) Sarah Garcia, Hector Gonzalez, and Andrew Smiley (Right side of table) Traci Mondragon and Richard Craig
Mozart’s legacy in the community is building far beyond its reputation as an iconic Austin hangout.
Ronald Dittmar, Sue Ann DeCuir, Ingrid Weigand and Paul Strange
John (Moose) Dismukes
Jennifer Edwards and Jules Maron
Linda Rosens, Lisa Barden and Shade Oyegbola
Mozart’s Director of Coffee, Jack Ranstrom
Mozart’s Owner, Ken Leonard, speaks to the crowd at the 2024 Giving Campaign Awards Celebration
Community members James and Valerie Taylor
Giving Campaign Awards Ceremony MC Hannah Rucker with owner of Austin Rental Boats, Shawn Smith
Event Attendees Micky and Diane Davis (front row) with Amira Benchouia and Hope Davis
Austin Smiles Wish Upon a Smile Gala 2024 Celebrating the Countless Lives Changed
Austin Smiles – The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation hosted its 38th Annual Wish Upon a Smile Gala at the Starlight Terrace at the Oasis on Lake Travis. This annual event raises funds to support Austin Smiles’ mission of providing surgical and post-surgical care to children born with cleft lip and palate in Central Texas and Latin America.
This year’s gala welcomed over 350 attendees and was filled with philanthropy, camaraderie, awards, silent and live auctions, and dancing. The evening concluded with a performance by Austin icon, Bob Schneider and his band. The event was made possible by the dedication of Gala Co-chairs Patty Johns and Michelle Jones and the Wish Upon a Smile Gala planning committee.
This year’s 6th Annual Cullington, Fox, Beckham International Service Award honored two extraordinary volunteers: Dr. Rick Parker and Barbara Powell. Dr. Parker is a retired plastic surgeon and longtime Smiles volunteer who has spent most of his career as a strong advocate for children with cleft conditions. Dr. Parker has served on countless missions with Austin Smiles, offering his surgical expertise and compassionate care. He also started the organization’s annual Shoot for a Smile Charity Clay Shoot which is going on its 28th year in 2025 and has helped raise over $1,000,000 for the organization. Barbara Powell, a retired professor and surgical technologist, has been a dedicated volunteer and mentor, inspiring many through her contributions both on missions and locally in Central Texas. Barbara still volunteers on 1-2 trips annually with the organization each year and helps pack medical supplies for all of Austin Smiles trips, lending her time and talent to change lives.
A moving highlight of the night came when Robert
Patterson, a 13-year-old Austin Smiles local client, took the stage to share his experiences at Camp Amigo. He spoke about his favorite camp activities—zip lining, archery, and time at the petting zoo—and how Camp Amigo was filled with unforgettable adventures. More than the fun, though, Robert spoke of the strong connections he formed with others at camp. “Camp Amigo was more than just a camp for me—it was a life-changing experience,” Robert said, emphasizing how the supportive environment helped him embrace who he is.
Every year, Austin Smiles conducts 3 medical mission trips to Latin America, providing over 50 surgeries per trip and offering follow-up support, dental services, and speech therapy to around 150 children with cleft lip and palate.
Locally, Austin Smiles serves over 800 patients annually in Central Texas, providing social and emotional programming,
Austin Smiles Executive Director, Renee Hanson Malone with Award Winner, Dr. Rick Parker
Robert Patterson, local Austin Smiles client who shared his testimony about attending Austin Smiles annual Camp Amigo event and the impact it had on his life
Co-Chairs of the 2024 Wish Upon A Smile Gala, Patty Johns and Michelle
Award Winners of the 6th Annual Cullington, Fox, Beckham International Service Award, Dr. Rick Parker and Barbara Powell Beau Theriot
Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Festival of Trees - Home For Christmas
EThe air was filled with holiday cheer as the Festival of Trees - Home For Christmas event brought warmth, joy, and the spirit of giving to the community. Hosted by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, The Festival of Trees is a beloved tradition that showcases beautifully decorated Christmas trees, each a unique masterpiece created by members of The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, board members, and dedicated volunteers.
The trees were auctioned off with all proceeds going to provide crucial services, including shelter, resources, and support for families during the holidays and beyond. Throughout the evening, Major Feinaver played beautiful Christmas music. His renditions of holiday classics brought smiles
to everyone’s faces, as did the hot chocolate, cookies, and charcuterie boards available to guests. Attendees embraced the opportunity to contribute to The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, including a $10,000 donation from Dick and Sarah Rathgeber.
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary (SAWA) is a volunteer educational and fundraising arm of The Salvation Army Greater Austin Area Command. The SAWA sponsors initiatives that enrich the lives of citizens in Travis and Williamson counties by meeting them at their point of need.
The ladies of the Auxiliary have a good time, work hard, and live by the mission of “Doing the Most Good.”
For more information, visit www.sawaaustin.org.
Colonel Ann Penhale and Major Jacqulyn Reckline
Major Jacqulyn Reckline
Jill Durkee and Nikki Stinnett Major Kim Feinaver
Major Jacqulyn Reckline, Colonel Ann Penhale, Santa (Major Lewis Reckline), and Colonel Art Penhale
Dick Rathgeber, Santa (Major Lewis Reckline), Sara Rathgeber, and Major Jacqulyn Reckline
Major Jacqulyn Reckline, Linda Dryden, Debbie Ward, Jenny Jopling, Anne Monnig, Nikki Stinnett, Jill Zeitz, and Jill Durkee
Carrie Green, Elias Mcmillen, Adia Orduna, and Byron Mcmillen
Jill Durkee and Ann Monnig
Jenny Jopling
Mary Riojas and Jennifer Riojas-Santos
Mary Helen Specht
Mary Helen’s debut novel, Migratory Animals was an editors’ choice by the New York Times Book Review and also won the Texas
of Letters Best First Fiction Award and the Writers’ League of Texas work of Best Fiction. Her next novel, Mudlark, will be released in 2026 by Ballantine.
1. What’s something about you that not many people know? I sometimes wear toe spacers to facilitate immortality. I am a poor speller. And I prefer to nap on the floor so I won’t sleep too long.
2. What was your first job?
I waited tables at Chili’s Restaurant. I was not very good. I was a vegetarian at the time and so I mostly made up my recommendations when people asked what dishes were the best. (Always a fiction writer, I guess.)
3. If you could have dinner with three people – dead or alive, at any time in history— who would they be? Oscar Wilde, James Baldwin, and Eva Hesse. I mean, what in the world would we talk about? Maybe everything. The important thing is that Wilde shares the au gratin potatoes with the rest of us. I had to kick him out of my last imaginary celebrity dinner party.
4. If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be? Kate Bush, Shakira, Nina Simone.
museum in Hyde Park. It’s so funky and wonderful, and I like imagining what her life was like there. I love riding around town on the bus and just watching everything go by.
8. Favorite restaurant and watering hole.
I have a daughter who loves Curra’s and Asti and refuses to go anywhere else. I love those two places, but I am looking for recommendations. Watering hole? The closest I get to a watering hole these days is taking a glass of wine into the bathroom and putting on my headphones until someone knocks and kicks me out.
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot raises record amount for Caritas of Austin
this year’s event is a shared accomplishment for all the sponsors, participants, more than 500 volunteers, and ThunderCloud employees.”
9. What did you want to be when you were growing up? I wanted to be an astronomer until I learned you had to be good at math.
10. Which living person do you most admire? My partner, Tyler.
6. Most powerful movie you have seen. Beasts of the Southern Wild. It’s a gorgeous, life-changing film. Plus, there is a character named Hushpuppy.
7. Favorite place in Austin?
5. Favorite book and TV show? Impossible question! I have absolutely no idea! The most recent novels I loved were Short War by Lily Meyer and The Last Language by Jennifer duBois and, as for recent television show, probably Silo because I’m a sucker for power dynamics in a bunker situation. I also liked The Diplomat a lot.
I can’t tell you because I don’t want too many people to know. But I also love the Elisabet Ney
11. What makes you happy? Smoothies made with dignity. Reading a good book under a good tree in a good hammock.
12. Best advice you ever received? Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor. And always check your boots for scorpions.
This year’s 34th annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot was the most successful ever, raising a record $425,000 for Caritas of Austin and bringing the total raised over the history of the event to nearly $5.5 million. A record-setting 21,288 people participated in the Austin Turkey Trot in November.
ThunderCloud’s owners, Patty and Paul Sughrue and Mike Haggerty, presented the check to Caritas recently at the 201 East Riverside ThunderCloud Subs location. The $425K represents 100 percent of the proceeds from this year’s Trot.
Trot executive director and co-owner of ThunderCloud Subs Mike Haggerty says: “All of us at ThunderCloud are thankful for the tremendous community support and participation for our 34th Turkey Trot. The record $425,000 proceeds from
“We’re confident that Caritas will use this donation to help the less fortunate in our community stabilize their lives and become self-sufficient members of our wonderful Austin community.
Caritas of Austin President and CEO Jo Kathryn Quinn said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from ThunderCloud Subs and our community through the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. The funds raised play a vital role in our mission at Caritas, allowing us to continue our work in providing a home and tailored services to prevent and end homelessness in Austin. Every dollar makes a difference, and together we are taking meaningful steps
toward making Austin more vibrant for all.”
Caritas of Austin’s mission is to prevent and end homelessness in Greater Austin. Caritas believes that when people have a stable place to call home, they can reach their full potential and contribute to the community. Caritas builds well-being for hundreds experiencing homelessness each year by making sure they have a stable home, healthy food, jobs, and life skills to thrive. Learn more at www.caritasofaustin.org
ThunderCloud has supported Caritas for more than half of its 60-year history, and Thanksgiving Day 2025 will mark the 35th annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. ThunderCloud Subs will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025.
ThunderCloud is locally owned, and operates 26 locations in Central Texas.
Institute
Mary Helen Specht PHOTO CREDIT: MATT VALENTINE
Paul and Patty Sughrue, Mike and Jeannie Haggerty, Ben Haggerty, and David Cohen of ThunderCloud with Trot mascots Andrea Linkenhoger of ThunderCloud and Israel Pena of Caritas
CHARLES QUINN PHOTOGRAPHY
Congrats to our 4 winners
For our 2024 holiday season we expanded our charitable contributions to give a total of $50,000 to four deserving organizations in the Central Texas area. We had 750 nominations and such wonderful organizations nominated in the Austin area, thank you to everyone who took the time to submit them.