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There’s something uniquely humbling about opening your Austin Energy bill in the summer. You brace yourself. You whisper a tiny prayer. You promise the universe you’ll stop running the dryer at 3 p.m. And then… boom. The number hits you like a hot gust of 105° air.

And it’s not just homeowners feeling it — apartment families get hit hard too, especially in older buildings with leaky windows, tired AC units, and insulation that feels more symbolic than functional. Add Austin’s tiered water pricing and the relentless Texas sun, and it’s no wonder families are swapping tips in every Facebook group.

But here’s the good news: there are things you can do at home — small, doable things — that genuinely help. Not the “live in the dark” kind of advice. Real, practical, Texas‑tested stuff that makes life a little easier.

Amplify Austin Day (March 4-5) is a Central Texas tradition. Since 2013, I Live Here I Give Here has been organizing this annual giving event. Amplify Austin Day has raised over $120 million for hundreds of local nonprofits across our 7-county region thanks to the power of collective giving. 

Through the platform AmplifyATX.org, people can discover new local nonprofits to support. With over 700 participating nonpofits, we know it’s not always easy to decide where to give. Luckily, AmplifyATX.org makes finding organizations simple! Each nonprofit is organized by a “cause category.” You can search different causes from animal care and the environment to education and children. Once you select the causes that mean most to your family, you’ll be given a list of matching nonprofits. 

The holiday season is typically associated with joy, love, and generosity. However, for many children in foster care or residing in homeless shelters, this time serves as a stark reminder of the difficulties they face. It is in these moments that acts of kindness and generosity shine the brightest. 

Here is a list of local organizations that are looking for Holiday sponsors this year.

May is National Foster Care Month.

In Texas, over 10,000 children, often abused and neglected, are waiting for a foster family or an adoptive home. When neither is not found, these children are having to stay at Child Protective Services (CPS) offices on cots, siblings are being split up and placed in separate foster homes or in residential treatment centers (RTC's).

“Foster care is a challenging journey that takes a lot of a family’s resources. Not all of us are called to take on that responsibility at any point in time. But if we can provide care to the caregivers, we can become part of a meaningful network that is essential for a functioning foster care system. Here are 5 ways you can support a Foster Family.

Have you ever wondered whether your 9-year old still has to sit in a booster seat or whether your 11-year old can sit in the front? Or what you need to do when your child's car or booster seat was recalled?

Booster seats are utilized to secure young children and those under certain weight thresholds to secure them in place in motor vehicles. When booster seats meet the necessary safety measures and testing, they can serve as great tools in assisting in children’s safety. 

However, there are instances when individuals fail to use booster seats properly. In other instances booster seats are not used at all or are defective. Faulty booster seats and failure to adhere to state safety guidelines can lead to serious injuries for children and penalties for adults. 

Communicare, a nonprofit organization and expert in mental and behavioral health, reached out to us and asked whether we would share this article with you. While Communicare is located and primarily serves Mississippi, this article relates to children and parents anywhere and it is the hope of Communicare to raise awareness of the risks of misusing prescription medicines.

The non-profit Crayon Collection is giving us another meaning to the back-to-school shopping season. By providing a resource for teachers, students, and communities to collect, contribute, or receive gently used crayons from restaurants and schools, Crayon Collection puts them into the hands of vulnerable children from low socio-economic backgrounds and at-risk environments across the world.

Read how you can help make a difference.

Broken Hearts and Calloused Hands, a non-profit organization located in Lago Vista, TX, with the mission to combat abuse and domestic violence is hosting a fundraiser to raise awareness and funds to help and bring hope to domestic violence victims transitioning out of dangerous situations through providing resources, temporary shelter and counseling for individuals and families.

Prizes include gift cards to local business, incl. Painting with a Twist, Amy's Ice Cream, The Melting Pot, Flat Creek Winery and many more. Read on for details and to get your raffle tickets.

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