Avastrong
Avastrong

“Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Congenital means present at birth. Heart defects begin in the early part of pregnancy when the heart is still forming. Approximately 40,000 babies are born each year in the U.S. with a CHD, at least 8,000 of them won’t live to see their first birthday. To put this into perspective this means 1 in 100 babies born have a heart defect. More than 50% of babies born with CHD will require one invasive surgery in their lifetime.

"Avastrong Charity is dedicated to raising awareness and providing comfort to families suffering from CHD and other special needs. We do this through care packages donated to families staying in the Cardiac Unit at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. We also spread joy through other random acts of kindness for CHD families in and outpatient. Our long term mission is to provide the benefits of the Ronald Mcdonald House Charities to the Fox Valley. We would love your support in our mission!

How You Can Get Involved:

Click HERE to go to our Facebook donation page to make a contribution to Avastrong! For every $5 donation, 1 entry will be submitted to a drawing we will hold at the end of February for 2 Dallas Stars tickets on 3/24/20 vs. The Los Angeles Kings! Thank you so much for your help and support for a great cause!

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FeatureStephanie MurphyAvastrong
One Warm Coat
One Warm Coat

“One Warm Coat is a national non-profit organization that works to provide a free, warm coat to any person in need. One Warm Coat supports individuals, groups, companies and organizations across the country by providing the tools and resources needed to hold a successful coat drive. Coats are distributed in the communities where they were collected, to children and adults in need, without charge, discrimination or obligation. Since One Warm Coat’s inception in 1992, we have worked with our volunteers to host more than 34,000 coat drives and have given away more than 6 million coats.”

How We Got Involved:

For the month of January, we collected 83 coats, 3 vests, 9 pairs of gloves/mittens, 12 hats, 14 scarves, and 1 pair of earmuff for One Warm Coat. We are completely blown away by the amount of donations and support we received. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who got involved and made a difference in the lives of others this month!

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Stephanie MurphyOne Warm Coat
Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County
Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County

“Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization providing hope to children and families victimized by child abuse. Our proven approach brings experts together under one roof to ensure safety and justice for children. We are the only agency in our community offering services critical to healing, free for life.”

How We Got Involved:

For the month of December, we hosted a toy drive. All items were donated to Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. As always, Brittyn & Kennedy loved shopping, and my heart burst a little as I watched them. Thank you to all who donated and made a difference in our community and in the lives of others!

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FeatureSamantha McHoneChildren’s Advocacy Center of Collin County
Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child
Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child

“The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, “Go and do likewise.” For over 40 years, Samaritan’s Purse has done our utmost to follow Christ’s command by going to the aid of the world’s poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, earns us a hearing for the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.”

How We Got Involved

For the month of November, we decided to partner with Operation Christmas Child and fill shoeboxes for Christmas. These boxes get sent to over 100 different countries around the world for children who don’t have much. Once a child receives a shoebox, that is the only one they will receive in their lifetime. With the help of friends and family, we filled 16 shoeboxes! What a blessing it is to know that 16 more kiddos will have an extra reason to smile this holiday season. Big thanks to all who participated!

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Stephanie MurphySamaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child
Susan G. Komen For The Cure
Susan G. Komen For The Cure

"More than 3.8 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with breast cancer and this devastating disease kills more than 42,000 people each year. That is unacceptable. We’re committed to saving lives and creating a world without breast cancer."

How We Got Involved

In October, we decided to “go pink” and support Susan G Komen’s mission to raise money and awareness to find a cure for breast cancer! We set a goal of raising $500, and we surpassed it with a total of $585!

In addition, we got up early on Saturday, 10/26, and we ran the Susan G Komen 5k! Just the 4 of us participating in this race pays for a mammogram.

The run/walk was a huge success, had great energy, and we felt so wonderful being a part of something so much bigger than us! A huge thank you to everyone who donated and supported us!

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Samantha McHonesusan g komen for the cure
Minnie's Food Pantry
Minnie's Food Pantry

“Minnie’s Food Pantry (MFP) is a Plano, Texas based nonprofit organization headquartered in Plano,Texas.  Minnie’s Food Pantry, provides healthy meals, educational resources and red carpet treatment to every person that we serve. We believe that overall wellness begins with food, health and financial education and our ultimate goal is to provide numerous programs that help families gain long-term food security.”

How We Got Involved:

For the month of September, we were able to bring Minnie’s Food Pantry a ton of goodies! Lots of friends, family and neighbors donated to our food drive, and we are so grateful for everyone’s participation! We had some pretty awesome helpers, if I do say so myself!

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Samantha McHoneMinnies Food Pantry
Kershaw’s Challenge
Kershaw’s Challenge

“Kershaw’s Challenge is a faith-based, others-focused organization. We exist to encourage people to use whatever God-given passion or talent they have to make a difference and give back to people in need. We want to empower people to use their spheres of influence to impact communities positively and to expand God’s Kingdom. We believe that God can transform at-risk children and neighborhoods through the benevolence and impact of others.”

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Samantha McHoneKershaw’s Challenge
Young Life
Young Life

“Young Life doesn't start with a program. It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. These relationships don't happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust and consistency.”

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Samantha McHoneYoung Life
Arise Africa
Arise Africa

“Arise Africa serves vulnerable and orphaned children and families in Zambia. We are committed to helping individuals live a life that God desires for all mankind by assisting with spiritual, economic, and physical poverty. We strive to empower others through the truth and love of Jesus Christ to become responsible, independent, and self-sustaining individuals. It is our desire to come alongside those in need and help them become successful on their own.”

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Samantha McHoneArise Africa
Charity of the Month: June 2019
Charity of the Month: June 2019

www.missiondiscovery.org

Mission Discovery trips aim to help desperate communities. Teams of volunteers build homes for families in need, love on orphans, feed the hungry, clothe and educate school children, provide medical care and empower churches to bring hope to their communities. The Mission Discovery Staff arranges food, lodging, and logistics so volunteers will be effective from day one. Each night we offer a worship service to provide an atmosphere to come together and reflect on what the volunteers have experienced during the day.

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Samantha McHoneAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Charity: Water
Charity: Water

“We invest the money we raise into organizations with years of experience to build sustainable, community-owned water projects around the world. Our team works closely to ensure that every dollar is accounted for and then provides reports back to our donors. Learn about our approach, the solutions we fund and our partners on the ground."

Many of us have no idea what it's like to be thirsty. We have plenty of water to drink -- even the water in our toilets is clean! But many people around the world don’t have that luxury. Every day, about 1,400 children die from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple solutions like drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters that help provide clean water to communities around the world.

I started this fundraising campaign to help charity: water build these types of projects around the world, and I'm looking for anyone who can help me. 100% of the money will be used to build clean water projects, and when they’re complete, charity: water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the exact community we helped.”

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Samantha McHoneCharity Water
Allen Community Outreach
Allen Community Outreach

“ACO has been serving its neighbors and friends facing financial crisis in Allen and the surrounding communities in Collin County, Texas since 1985. ACO provides free comprehensive human services to help families avoid hunger and homelessness and gain financial security. ACO offers Income Support including food, clothing, utility and housing assistance, medical visits and prescriptions assistance; and Education and Employment Services including GED classes, college assistance, financial coaching, and career counseling.”

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Samantha McHoneAllen Community Outreach
Bella House
Bella House

“The Bella House is a house of hospitality that offers love and support for homeless pregnant women in the Dallas area. The Bella House seeks to serve women in need by providing for both their emotional and physical needs.”

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Samantha McHoneBella House
Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together

“Rebuilding Together North Texas restores hope and revitalizes neighborhoods by bringing volunteers and communities together to repair homes and lives of low-income homeowners. We enhance the safety, health, and quality of life for deserving seniors, veterans, families with young children, and people with disabilities. Together we are strengthening the Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, and Rowlett communities to build a brighter future for North Texas.”

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Samantha McHoneRebuilding Together
Feed My Starving Children
Feed My Starving Children

“Founded in 1987, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian non-profit that provides nutritionally complete meals specifically formulated for malnourished children.”

For the month of July, 2019, we chose Feed My Starving Children as our charity. A big group of us went on Friday night, 7/5/19, to volunteer at their facility in Richardson, Texas. I still can’t get over what a fun volunteering event this was! The staff was amazing, and they made everyone feel so comfortable and excited to be there making a difference. We divided up into stations to make MannaPack meals that are then shipped overseas. They had fun, loud music playing and had everyone participate in a friendly competition to see who could package the most in the shortest amount of time. We all had an absolute blast!

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Samantha McHoneFeed My Starving Children