Community
The Austin American-Statesman has been a part of Central Texas since 1871. Not
only do we deliver the news in both print and online, but also we are
committed to giving back by being an active, connected and caring corporate
citizen. Our Community Development department coordinates our company's
charitable efforts and is the point of contact for area nonprofit agencies.
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2009 marks the 11th year of our biggest annual service campaign: the Statesman
Season for Caring. This fund drive is a partnership between the Statesman's
editorial and community development departments. The campaign introduces
readers to 12 families in need and the nonprofit agencies providing services
to them. Our readers have generously donated more than $5 million in cash
and in-kind goods and services, all of which have benefited the featured
families as well as hundreds of others like them who are also being served
by these agencies. The cash has been used to buy gift cards for groceries,
gas, clothing and household essentials, pay utilities, provide needed
medical and dental care, and fund higher education and technical training to
allow these families to become self-sufficient. The in-kind donations have
included home makeovers, new dentures and even a state-of-the-art prosthesis
and much more since the campaign's inception in 1999.
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When it was discovered that swim lessons were not available in the
neighborhoods housing the children that are statistically at a higher risk
of drowning, the Statesman Swim Safe for Austin Kids program was born. Our
program provides at-risk children in kindergarten through third grade with
basic swimming skills at local city and YMCA pools. The program is designed
to encourage children to overcome their fear of water, to learn to swim and
to give them the gift of healthy outdoor exercise and fun. The funds are
raised by reader donations, grants and business partnerships, and have been
put toward providing lessons to more than 9,000 children since 2000. With
the help of our readers, the 10,000th Swim Safe lesson will be taught by the
end of the summer of 2009.
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The first Statesman Capitol 10,000 race in 1978 was the beginning of what was
to become the largest 10K race in Texas. More than 18,000 runners and
walkers participated in the 2009 race, representing 44 states, six
countries, and four continents. The Cap 10, as it is affectionately called,
has not only become a beloved family tradition, but has contributed
$2,084,098 through sponsorship donations to local nonprofit organizations.
Past beneficiaries include Habitat for Humanity, CASA of Travis County,
People's Community Clinic, Meals on Wheels and More, Children's Hospital of
Austin, Children's Advocacy Center, Austin Children's Shelter, East
Communities Branch YMCA, and Capital Area Food Bank.
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The Statesman is proud to host the Austin Do Good channel.
DoGood.statesman.com is free to use and allows nonprofits the opportunity to
promote their events, highlight their needs and let the community know more
about their good work. The channel is also an easy way for Central Texans to
find volunteer opportunities and learn how they can make a difference in
their community.
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The Lady Bird's Legacy Wildflower campaign began in 2008 on what would have
been President Lyndon B. Johnson's 100th birthday. The campaign will
continue through 2012 when Lady Bird Johnson would have turned 100. The
funds raised by the campaign will be used to buy seed packets for Central
Texas school children as well as for seeding along Central Texas highways
and rights of way.
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