Hiking for a Cause?

Checking this out.  Hiking for the  Hill Country Conservancy.

The HCC “Hike the Half” team is similar to other non-profit charity running teams, the only difference is instead of running, we ask team members to train by hiking around Austin! While HCC is primarily a land and water conservation organization, we are working on the extension of the Barton Creek Greenbelt to Kyle- a 30 mile trail, which will provide public access to conserved lands over the Barton Springs recharge zone! The proposed trail will be a perfect path for training for future half and full marathon hikes!

How to Get Involved?
Step 1: Sign up to Hike the Half on the HCC Marathon Sign-up Webpage More information may be found on the HCC website.
Step 2: Register for the Livestrong Austin Marathon. Please note, HCC is not responsible for registering runners for the race.
Step 3: Register for optional training courses. Ask Cheyenne (Cheyenne@hillcountryconservancy.org) for more details!

The next generation of Cause Marketing?

Save More than Cash Money

Check this out as sent in from one of our readers: GivShop, a new Austin-based company, is partnering with local businesses and non-profits to create an innovative donation tool.  GivShop will offer shoppers deeply discounted deals on fun things to do in the Austin area and will give 50% of their profit to the local non-profit of the customer’s choice.

Launching in August, GivShop will send out a daily deal via email to those who register for their service.  The consumer actually selects a non-profit from a list of partners to receive a portion of their sale.

“It truly is an ideal situation for everyone involved,” says Brad Mellema, CEO and Founder of GivShop, “Shoppers get a great deal on something fun to do, businesses create awareness of their product and drive more business, and non-profits receive additional funding.  Everybody wins.”

GivShop focuses on local businesses and non-profits.  So far, they are partnering with about 15 area charities, including the Austin Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club of Austin, Ronald McDonald House of Austin, Emancipet, and Ballet Austin.

Interested in learning more?  I’m interested in hearing from Nonprofits who are using the service. Maybe I will have the Ronald McDonald house folks check in after awhile? Visit their website at www.givshop.com.

Maggie’s Hope says “Hello Austin!”

Check out the newest nonprofit here in town. This is a huge way to make a splash and I am interested to see how it works out!

Check out the DELL FOX 7 FIT WEEKEND presented by FOX 7, StepsTo.com will be held July 23-24th at Lakeway Rough Hollow and the Lakeway World of Tennis. The event will have a “Lakeside Gala” featuring live music by award winning Rick Trevino and silent auction at the beautiful Rough Hollow Grille starting at 6pm on July 23rd. Then on July 24^th, from 9:00am-1:00pm, the entire family can participate in numerous fitness events in and around Rough Hollow and World of Tennis including a RunTex 2 mile fun run, RunTex 10k, Stand up Paddle, USTA Tennis Play Day and much more.  In addition, several of Austin’s fitness and health experts will be on site to provide information, demonstrations and screenings that can help make you and your family Dell FOX 7 Fit! Visit www.myFOXaustin.com for all details and to register.

At 1:00pm on July 24^th, fans can enjoy World Class tennis at Lakeway World of Tennis featuring Melanie Oudin and Sloane Stephens. Oudin, at the age of 17, became America’s sweetheart of tennis with her improbable run to the quarterfinals of the 2009 US Open, where she defeated top ranked players including Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva, and Nadia Petrova. Oudin became the youngest American tennis player to play in the quarterfinals since Serena Williams in 1999. She was named the WTA 2009 Newcomer of the Year, and has led the US 2010 Fed Cup team to the world championship final to be held in November of this year.

Sloane Stephens turned professional in 2009 after an outstanding junior career including reaching the semifinals at the 2009 French Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2009. Most recently she was also named to the US Fed Cup team. At the 2010 BNP Paribas she defeated Lucie Hradecka and then lost in a closely contested match against the defending champion, world number 12th ranked, Vera Zvonareva 6–4, 7–5.

Maggie’s Hope is a non-profit organization founded by FOX 7 News anchor Loriana Hernandez designed to help autistic kids like Maggie and their families through funding for out-of-the-box treatments, gluten free/casein free foods, school advocates and other therapies not covered by insurance. “This is a dream come true.  Since the day my 5 year old niece Maggie was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, I have been on a mission to help her and the thousands of other kids get on the road to recovery,” says Ms. Hernandez.  She adds, “Seeing the emotional and financial impact firsthand, I can no longer sit back and watch this disorder rip families apart as it nears an epidemic.  I feel it’s time I step up and use the public platform I’m so blessed to have and make a difference.”

The Dell FOX 7 Fit Weekend is proudly supported by Dell, the United States Tennis Association, KTBC FOX 7, Run Tex, StepsTo.com, Wilson, Jack & Adams Bicycles and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.