Katy Cares

CHRISTMAS AT KATY CARES Thank you to all our donors! Bringing joy and excitement to many kids! Blessings and appreciation to you all! 🎄🎄🎄

ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU, SEIDEL SCHROEDER! We are thrilled to express our gratitude to Becky Hintz and the entire team at Seidel Schroeder, Certified Public Accountants in Katy. For the second consecutive year, Becky has led the charge in providing Christmas gifts to single-parent families in need—families who would otherwise struggle to make their holiday wishes come true. The generous contributions from Seidel Schroeder’s employees have empowered Katy Cares to significantly impact numerous families this holiday season. Jean Coleman from the Katy office was on hand to personally deliver these heartwarming gifts to Katy Cares, spreading joy and hope. For over 50 years, Seidel Schroeder has stood as a beacon of solid, secure financial leadership in the greater Houston area and beyond. Their philosophy is straightforward: they exist to serve and elevate their clients across audit, advisory, business valuation, and tax services. This means offering the vast resources, comprehensive breadth, and deep perspective of a large firm while maintaining the personalized, attentive connection of a small firm. At Seidel Schroeder, they go beyond the numbers—building enduring, value-added relationships and making a tangible difference in their communities. Their dedication to impacting lives is evident in every initiative they undertake, and we are proud to have their support. Thank you, Seidel Schroeder, for your unwavering commitment to our community and for making this holiday season brighter for so many. https:// www.ssccpa.com If you want to impact the lives of single-parent families, take hands with Seidel Schroeder and Katy Cares and donate here: https://lnkd.in/gnanz8D2

THANK YOU, NEXUS WOMEN'S GROUP! Thank you, Ana Peternell! Thank you, Lidia Lara! Thank you, St. Paul's Church in Old Katy, TX Thank you, Rev. Mark Wilkenson Thank you, Jennifer Kuhn of St. Paul's In 2021, the first Bazaar was organized by Peternell Property Group and Eventisimo. In 2022, the second Bazaar was organized by Peternell Property Group, Eventisimo, Nexus, and Loteria. Ana and Lidia, members of the Nexus Women's organization, took the lead in 2023. This event aimed to raise funds for single parents participating in the Katy Cares Ready, Set, Go! Parenting Program. On Sunday, December 9, it took place at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in historic old Katy, Texas. More than 25 vendors actively participated in the event, and St. Paul's generously provided the banquet hall free of charge. Nexus is a collective of diverse Latina women with various business, entrepreneurship, and homemaking backgrounds. Their primary aim is to empower women by fostering formal and informal connections, providing mutual support, facilitating learning opportunities, and collectively growing. They strive to share information and expertise, transfer skills, promote business endeavors, and organize events and bazaars to raise funds. Through these efforts, they aim to positively impact our community and improve the lives of those in need. Please donate and support this good cause, which impacts the lives of single mothers and their children: https://lnkd.in/gqM-uZvD

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE YOUNG WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Old Katy, Texas Leda Harrington, the president of the organization and 12 young women packed hygiene kits during their weekly activities. Blankets were made at the young women’s camp during the summer holidays. Each girl picked out her own fabric and lovingly cut and tied each blanket. They got very attached to them and gave a part of their hearts with each blanket. We are so grateful that they have joined Katy Cares in our mission to help and support single parent families. When the community joined hands with nonprofits, more families can and will be impacted.

WELCOME ABOARD ALLISON STARK We are thrilled to announce that Allison Stark, the founder of Katy Cares Inc., has joined our Board of Directors! As the driving force behind the creation of Katy Cares, Allison has consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to serving others and enriching the lives of those around her. Her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to fostering stronger, more compassionate communities continue to inspire and create meaningful impact. With over a decade of experience in project management and community engagement across the U.S., including within military communities, Allison brings a unique blend of strategic expertise and heartfelt dedication to our Board. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and an active Project Management Institute (PMI) member, she excels in leading complex initiatives and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. In addition to her project management expertise, Allison has a proven track record in fundraising and event planning, significantly contributing to the growth and sustainability of the organizations she has supported. Her ability to engage communities and inspire action will be instrumental in advancing Katy Cares' mission. We are honored to have Allison’s expertise, vision, and passion for service guiding our efforts as we continue to grow and make a meaningful difference. Welcome to the Board, Allison!

WELCOME ABOARD CHANTAY DE BLANC We are thrilled to announce that Chantay DeBlanc has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Katy Cares, TX! Chantay brings a wealth of experience in program support and community development, and her passion for making a positive impact in the Katy area aligns perfectly with the mission of Katy Cares. With her leadership skills and deep commitment to service, Chantay is poised to help drive initiatives that benefit our community. Chantay currently serves as the President of the Katy-Richmond Area Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where she has also been a Charter Member and Organizer. Her involvement extends to several prestigious organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, and Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated. She is also an active member of the Texas Exes Katy Chapter, as a Board Member and Membership Chair. Chantay’s leadership roles across these groups demonstrate her dedication to building strong community bonds and empowering others. Beyond her leadership in these organizations, Chantay is deeply committed to volunteerism. She actively supports local causes such as the Ballard House, the Houston Food Bank, the Fort Bend Women’s Center Shelter, and Dress for Success. We are excited to welcome Chantay to the Katy Cares Board, where her experience and passion for community service will help us continue to grow and strengthen our Programs.

ANNOUNCEMENT Jollery Eckerd appointed to Katy Cares Board of Directors We are thrilled to announce that Jollery Eckerd has been appointed to the Katy Cares Board of Directors in the role of Publicity and Community Development! Jollery brings a wealth of experience and dedication to community growth, service, and advocacy. In addition to her new role with Katy Cares, Jollery serves as the Vice President of the Weston Lakes Women’s Association and is a valued board member of the Weston Lakes Scholarship & Grant Foundation. Her commitment to enriching the community is reflected in her active memberships with the Regional Chamber for Commerce in Fulshear, TX, the ATHENA Executive Program, Network In Action (NIA), and the Thunderbird Global Alumni Network (TGAN). She also supports local initiatives by providing Non-Profit Organizations (501c3) space in her Stroll Fulbrook magazine. Jollery’s dedication extends beyond these roles, as she actively volunteers with the Houston Food Bank, Lunches of Love, Second Baptist, and various beautification projects within the City of Weston Lakes. Please join us in congratulating Jollery on this new role! We look forward to seeing her impact on the Katy Cares community as she continues her passionate work in publicity and community development. Welcome aboard!

BENEFITTING SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES KATY CARES is proud to partner with ShopAmericanCowboy as a beneficiary! Now, 20% of proceeds from selling authentic T-shirts, caps, hats, and sweaters on Etsy will support our Parenting Programs for single-parent families. Visit their shop to make a difference with every purchase. Click on ALL ITEMS, then any image, and swipe for the different color options. Please share the link with all your friends and family. - great designs, images, and icons for the whole family! https://lnkd.in/gyjJ_K7V ShopAmericanCowboy - Etsy Shop items by ShopAmericanCowboy. search.app

THANK YOU, SHAFER ELEMENTARY! A special thank you to Matt Tyler, the physical education teacher at Shafer Elementary, for coordinating this wonderful initiative. As part of their participation requirements in this program, students must complete 26 ‘good’ deeds. They chose to make their deeds meaningful by positively impacting the lives of those in need enrolled with Katy Cares. The students prepared and packed several gift bags filled with essential items and thoughtful goodies. What is Read, Deed, and Run? RDR is an all-encompassing program for the WHOLE child. Students in grades 3, 4 & 5 commit to a 26-week program in which they will read 26 books (or 2600 pages), perform 26 good deeds in the community, and run a total of 26.2 miles. Students run their final 1.2 miles in a "race" to earn their finisher's t-shirt and medal. Read Requirement: Students are required to read 26 books or 2600 pages. Books read in school can count towards the Read requirement. Books must be at the student's reading level. Records of the books read will be kept in the student's RDR book. Deed Requirement: Students are required to perform 26 deeds in or for the community. one deed = one hour of service Deed opportunities will be communicated throughout the program. A Deed opportunity is NEVER required; it is entirely up to the student and their family to decide if they wish to participate. Run Requirement: Students are required to run a total of 25 miles throughout the course of the program. On Run Days, students run a mile on a course supervised by coaches. Staff is with students at all times. Students must dress appropriately – shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. Join hands with us and make an impact; just follow this link: https://lnkd.in/gqM-uZvD. Let's unite our efforts and create hope together!