EDITOR'S NOTE

Dear Readers,

As the holiday season approaches, we tend to be more mindful of the needs in our community. We are fortunate to have so many individuals and organizations that provide examples and opportunities to give back, and I’m always proud to live in a place in which a person need only suggest a need before someone creates an event or organization to help. For this issue, we updated our list of nonprofits and charities that are in or serving Georgetown and organized them by type to help you discover ways to lend a hand in your community.

For our nonprofit series we bring a variety of organizations to the page, starting with BiG and its new tiny home community that will give adults with special needs the opportunity to enjoy a more independent lifestyle. Another nonprofit, The Key2Free, strives to empower human trafficking victims, while Isaiah 117 House is working to change the way foster care begins.

We also feature several animal organizations that either provide forever homes to senior dogs or healing through horses to participants of all ages facing various challenges. In addition, the Wilco Regional Animal Shelter encourages dog and cat lovers to consider fostering a pet as part of its Home for the Holidays program.

Check out Worth the Drive for a fun fall trip idea to the Globe Theatre in Bertram, and for holiday recipes, visit our Food page for some sweet and savory charcuterie board inspiration.

I hope you all got to enjoy a glimpse of October’s dazzling solar eclipse. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the next astronomical event – a total eclipse on April 8, 2024!

~Charlotte

ON THE COVER

PHOTO COURTESY ERIN KILTZ

SPONSORED BY VIPUL GOPANI AND OM PROPERTIES AND RUPE GOPANI AND BLUE ACRE DEVELOPMENT

Meet Rupe and Vipul Gopani, father and son developers who are the embodiment of the American Dream. As owners of Blue Acre Development and OM Properties respectively, they are equally hard at work building relationships, developing real estate, and facilitating the growth of our community in a positive way. Both have a passion for transforming raw land into thriving developments and have become well-respected figures in Williamson County.

We are grateful for the Gopanis' generosity and love of community that, together, make them the ideal patrons for this month's message and cover sponsorship.

As a family, we give back to the community in a number of ways. In addition to making donations, we're proud to be part of Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care USA — a 501(c)3 organization that offers service and brings joy to the lives of the under served sections of society. SRLCUSA has 20+ centers nationally and has benefited 475,000 lives in the United States via a number of initiatives. As a family, we believe it is just as important to give back with your time and energy, as it is to give with your wallet.

At the end of the day, giving back is about caring for others and being a good human being. Our family has always believed in uplifting others, spreading joy, and spreading positive energy.

~Rupe Gopani