How to Get Involved This August & September

As summer comes to an end, the number of local volunteer opportunities continues to increase. Good Party reached out to 5 different nonprofit organizations in Austin to find out their volunteer needs for the next two months and how to get involved:

Central Texas Food Bank: 

• The CTFB always has a need for volunteers, but that’s especially true through the end of August when their summer feeding programs are going on. In their kitchen, they prepare thousands of meals and snacks to distribute to kids 18 and under at about 90 sites throughout the Austin area. Sign up for a volunteer shift here.
• August is filled with fun events that benefit the Central Texas Food Bank: Rock 'n' Restock on August 23,  Quesoff 2018 on August 25, The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival on August 26, and Austin Restaurants Weeks from August 16-September 3. 

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM):

• HAAM Day is on September 11, and over 400 volunteers are needed to make the event possible. On this day, Austin businesses and music venues host over 200 performances from local musicians all over the city and donate a portion of their daily sales to support HAAM. Sign up to volunteer for HAAM Day here.
• HAAM also needs year-round volunteer help that involves taking donations at concerts, spreading the word about HAAM, and helping the small but mighty HAAM staff out in a variety of ways. Sign up to be a HAAMbassador here.

Austin Pets Alive!:

• Paddle for Puppies is on August 26 and benefits the Parvo Puppy Program at APA! Register here to paddle down Lady Bird Lake for a cause. If you're interested in volunteering at this event, contact Hannah at hannah.horstman@austinpetsalive.org for more details.
• As always, APA! is in need of volunteers to help keep Austin the largest no kill city in the country. For more information on how to get involved, click here.

Austin Animal Center:

• AAC is at capacity with over 450 animals and is in desperate need of short-term fosters. Spread the word to your family and friends and sign up to be a foster here.

SAFE:

• Families struggling to lead violence-free lives can feel extra strain when kids go back to school. SAFE is gratefully accepting school supply donations through the end of August. The list of donations can be found here.
• The inaugural SAFE & Sound music festival featuring Emily Wolfe is on August 23. Purchase tickets here to enjoy a night of celebrating Austin local music and raising funds to support SAFE.

As always, feel free to send over any August/September volunteer opportunities so that we can continue to update this post with more info!

Written by: Madison Lammert

The Good Guide: Austin Food and Drink Specials that Give Back

With the hectic pace of living in Austin, it can be easy to forget to take a moment to give back. Many local eateries, coffee shops, and breweries donate to causes year-round, making it easier than you think to support charitable organizations. Good Party made a list of Austin food and drink specials in August that make an impact:

Juiceland- 50% of proceeds from the Razzle Dazzle smoothie go to Family Eldercare in Austin. This smoothie is made with almond milk, banana, blue majik, ginger, lemon, coconut oil, & a raspberry puree swirl. We can't wait to try this one!

Shake Shack- 5% of proceeds from the Apple Pie Oh My concrete support the Austin Humane Society, a nonprofit that offers life-saving programs for Austin's adoptable dogs and cats.

The ABGB- 5% of the brewpub's profits go to Hell Yes Project charities such as Austin Habitat for Humanity and the Central Texas Food Bank.  Check out their calendar of events that give back here.

Hopdoddy- $1 of each sale of the Goodnight/Good Cause Burger goes to helping those with spinal cord injuries through the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation. With Angus beef, Tillamook Cheddar, caramelized onions, jalapeños, and both hickory barbecue and tangy sassy sauce, it’s one of the tastiest burgers on the menu. 

Thirsty Planet Brewing Company- A portion of the proceeds from the Silverback Pale Ale go to the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, and each month's tasting room gratuities go to different charitable organizations.

Southside Flying Pizza- A percentage of all online sales benefit the Texas School for the Deaf.

Greater Goods Coffee Roasters- With each bag sold, a portion of proceeds goes to benefit one of four local organizations: Austin Pets Alive!, The Autism Society of Central Texas, Capital Area Food Bank and Boys & Girls Clubs of Austin. To check out which roasts go to which charities, click here.

Revival Coffee- 10% of profits go to local charities that customers pick, such as APA!, Explore Austin, and Casa Marianella. 

Patika- 10% of sales from the second Sunday of each month go to different charities. Past organizations have included RAICES and Big Medium.

Cane Rosso- A portion of the local restaurant's proceeds go to Cane Rosso Rescue, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization with the aim of supporting local dog rescue groups, creating a network of foster homes, and ultimately finding homes for abandoned or homeless dogs.

We hope you check out these awesome specials!

Written By: Madison Lammert

Austin Pets Alive! Needs Austin's Help Staying Cool

Temperatures are reaching an all-time high in Austin this summer, and Austin Pets Alive! urgently needs the community's help to keep their animals cool.

image via instagram @austinpetsalive

APA! is asking the public to consider donating box fans, coolers, and bags of ice to their shelter. Their current shelter is outdated and not equipped to handle the heat that comes with Texas summer, and while they have plans to launch a major campaign to build a new shelter, they need immediate relief for their current animal residents. 

Folks who are interested in dropping off supplies can leave them at Austin Pets Alive! at 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Building A. Want to donate online? Simply fill out this donation form and indicate how much you'd like to give, even a bag of ice helps. 

If you'd like to hangout with a new friend for a couple of weeks and live within 40 miles of APA!, they are seeking short-term fosters for dogs to help get them indoors and out of the heat. You can fill out a foster application here.

Stay cool, y'all! 

The Good Guide: 4th of July in Austin

Looking to celebrate Independence Day in a way that helps others? Here are 4 good parties on the 4th:

Corn Dog Eating Contest at Black Sheep Lodge

Nothing says “I love America” like shoving corn dogs in your face for a good cause. Your $20 contest entry fee scores you a commemorative t-shirt, and a portion goes back to Austin Pets Alive!. The winner takes home $250 cash price, heyo! Info here.

Bikes, Fireworks, & Warren Hood at The ABGB

Celebrate freedom with The ABGB and enjoy music from Warren Hood, delicious pizza, and ice cold beer. Folks from Ghisallo Cycling Initiative will be onsite, and you can ride safely with friends over to the fireworks at Auditorium Shores. Plus there’s a watermelon eating contest! Info here.

Pickled Egg Eating Contest at Haymaker

Create Independence Day memories at Haymaker, if you have a strong stomach that is. Eat the most habanero pickled eggs and you could win $250, plus your entree fee raises money for Helping Hand Home for Children. Info here.

Vegan Hot Dog Eating Contest at Doggie Style

A guilt-free take on an American tradition, stop by for games, treats, and see how many vegan dogs you can eat. Benefiting Central Texas Pig Rescue. Info here.

PS - Fireworks often cause anxiety for animals, so don't forget to keep your pets indoors this holiday! 

Good Party ATX Presents: Love Your Mama Pop-Up Market

We're poppin' up at the The Little Darlin' just in time for Mother's Day! (Mother's Day is May 13. Call your mom.) 

At the Love Your Mama Pop-Up Market on Saturday, May 12, you can get your last minute shopping in with local makers + vendors, snap a photo (bring your mom!) in Annie Ray's photobooth, pick out a flower bouqet, and listen to music from Chansons et Soûlards. Market runs noon-3pm, music 2-4pm. And The Little Darlin' is dog-friendly and we'll have some shopping for dogs moms too! 

Of course like any Good Party, this shindig gives back. We'll be collecting supplies and donations for Austin Pets Alive! and SAFE, and The Little Darlin' is donating $2 from every boozy frozen agua fresca (you had us at boozy frozen drink).

Makers + Vendors include:

• Ocotillo ATX
• moxietov_makes
• KollarKouture
• kathyphantastic
• Lillian + E Co.
• Purse & Clutch
• Las Ofrendas
• LA LO LA Clothing
• shopazatx
• Ubuntu Made

Austin Pets Alive! wish list: Friskies canned cat food, non-clumping litter, bleach, liquid laundry detergent, peanut butter, kongs, treat rolls, pooper scoopers.

SAFE wish list: personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo/conditioner, tampons, pads, combs, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.), socks, sweatpants, underwear, shoes, gift cards, food & pantry needs, cleaning supplies. 

Invite your friends on Facebook here. Want to join the Good Party community? Join our Facebook group, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.