Special Advertising Section: Fall Philanthropy Report

What is your mission? Helping a Hero's primary mission is to build custom adapted homes for catastrophically wounded heroes injured in the Global War on Terror. We believe in helping our wounded heroes in all aspects of their lives. We do this through our Home Program and with our other programs, hich include elping a ero Outdoors fshing and hunting outings), Marriage and Caregiver Retreats, Sports and Recreation Outings, and other family activities.

Why did you launch the Helping a Hero Home Program?

I am a patriot and after meeting the heroes who had lost limbs and were in recovery at the Intrepid in San Antonio, I wanted to help our heroes function independently despite their combat injuries. n , e ere flming Extreme Makeover: Home Edition ith y Pennington and offcially formed the elping a Hero Home Program. After that episode, I joined with Houston Mayor Bill White and committed to build 15 adapted homes for wheelchair bound heroes, amputees, burn victims, blind and heroes suffering from severe TBI’s. Once we understood the vast need for adapted homes, Helping a Hero expanded its mission and has awarded close to 200 homes in 26 states.

How have you impacted the community? Helping a Hero has united patriots by mobilizing school children and community organizations like Rotary, DAR, and building partners. They are Americans wanting to help make sure our heroes have adapted homes. Helping a Hero has led the way to build homes throughout the nation and currently we have 32 homes in varying stages of planning and construction in 16 states. Children have donated money they earned mowing lawns to help build these homes, others have held bake sales and coin drives. Builders, suppliers, and subcontractors donate their time and materials. Thousands of people collect gift cards, secure a year of mowing or electricity, and even donate 6 months of day care. There are so many creative ways to welcome our heroes to the community. Master planned communities and several cities have honored our home recipients by asking them to be the Grand Marshall in their Veterans Day Parade. The examples are endless when Americans with a heart of patriotism and gratitude join with Helping a Hero to thank our wounded heroes in a tangible way.

Twila Carter ran the Astros Foundation for a decade and received our Patriot Award last month. She then made a surprise announcement and issued her own $250,000 challenge to build a home as part of her acceptance speech. She personally committed the frst , in memory of her dad who served. Houston Texans owners, Cal and Hannah McNair donated , and others joined in. e are confdent the community ill help us fully fulfll this challenge. t s neat to see patriotism spark patriotism and that is what Helping a Hero does.

How many employees and volunteers work with your organization? We have 4 employees and thousands of volunteers involved in our organization. Our key volunteers are our builders and our subcontractors without whom Helping a Hero would not exist. Most of our builders and many of our subs commit to build at cost so we are able to stretch our dollars and help more of our heroes receive adapted homes. And our donors have really stepped up to insure the cash funding needed to build the homes is available.

How much have you raised since you launched? Helping a Hero has delivered almost $100 million in homes to wounded warriors. And we have invested heavily to serve thousands of heroes through our other support programs.

What is your biggest blessing and what does the future hold? Helping a Hero started on a trajectory for success through Rotary and then Chuck Jenness, George Bishop, Joanne King Herring, Rex and Marillyn King, Robert and Kim Marling, the Stewart family, George W. Strake, Jr., Jim Crane and Keith Mosing stepped up in 2011 and 2012 to help us grow to serve the mounting need nationally for Helping a Hero homes.

Then after being decimated by COVID and donations dwindling, Johnny Morris, Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, launched the 100 Homes Challenge and set the course to go on offense once again to build these adapted homes. Knowing that we have 25% of the funding up front for each home really helps us put the team together ith confdence to fund the other needed to build each home.

A few months ago, Fred Rothman, COO of LENNAR, was in the audience as we presented the Lee Greenwood Patriot Award to Louis and Patti Breland of Breland Homes. He jumped up and ran to the microphone to join the 100 Homes Challenge by building at least homes on our f ed cash budget.

We still need to raise millions to complete our 100 Homes Challenge, but with anchors like Johnny Morris and Lennar, the future is looking bright.

MEREDITH ILER

Founder, Helping a Hero Home Program

Meredith Iler is the Founder and National Chair of the Helping a Hero Home Program. She is a sixth generation Texan, and a part of the Stewart Title family. She graduated from Southern Methodist University and graduated 7th in her class at Creighton Law School. She was a decorated Moot Court advocate frst at South exas College of Law where she won the F. Lee Bailey Moot Court Competition and then represented Creighton where she won her Regional and faced her best friend and former Moot Court partner in the ABA National Finals. Meredith lost her father in a plane crash when she was 15. Her Moot Court Coach and Constitutional Law Professor at South Texas, T. Gerald Treece, was a father like fgure and taught her about life and perseverance that have served her well throughout her career.

She has taken her advocacy abilities and has become an amazing fundraiser having raised over $100 million for many charities including Star of Hope Mission, Houston Christian High School, Emmy Gifford Children’s Theater, AD Players and of course her beloved Helping a Hero. Meredith has devoted her life to service and philanthropy. She was recognized by Houston Woman Magazine as one of the 2009 Most n uential omen in ouston. At only years old, she received the National Volunteer of the Year Award from the American Diabetes Association. Her extensive list of accolades includes being the frst civilian to chair the ational USO Gala, which raised $1.8 million at a time when the USO as in fnancial distress.

Her commitment to our country’s bravest men and women has only intensifed since that frst USO event in . ith the founding of the Helping a Hero Home Program, she has spearheaded her quest to show gratitude to our most severely wounded military veterans by providing them with specially adapted homes. She donated more than 2,000 hours per year for 8 years to launch the charity into one of the top 4 national homebuilding charities that build homes for our injured service members. General Tony Cucolo said it best when he said, “Meredith Iler is a force of nature.”

The stories are endless of how she has pulled together leaders in 26 states to accomplish her mission to build an adapted home for as many wounded service members who need physical adaptation for daily tasks like taking a shower. It was helpful to tap into the Stewart Title network across the country as a way to meet builders and developers with just a phone

call. Additionally, she is a Rotarian and enjoys visiting Rotary Clubs in small towns and big cities who help get things done. Her infamous “Bat Phone” as was dubbed by the Houston Chronicle has given her access to a patriotic network of donors she has met along the way. It all started when she was just the daughter of a self-made millionaire and legendary YPO speaker, Morgan Ma feld. e took a ob in a parking garage to meet Lamar Hunt after failing to get a meeting with him for 6 months through the front door. Her Dad and Mr. Hunt became business partners that ultimately led to her dad moving to ansas ity and becoming the frst of unt Mid est. His death at only 40 years old spurred Meredith to accomplish all her “bucket list items” by 28.

As she was speaking to a group in New Mexico, the speaker before her challenged everyone in the room to write down a goal each year and stick to it. The caveat was, it could only be 6 words. She didn’t even need the two minutes given by the speaker to do this daunting task that day. Her words: Bucket List Checked Off, Now LIVE!

For Meredith, living is packing 28 hours into every day. She is up early at 4am each morning and has already accomplished a full day of ork before others fnish their frst cup of coffee. She is a tireless worker and is motivated to instill patriotism and ensure the next generation knows how special America is. She is the author of the upcoming book, Parenting Patriots, and has two children who are patriots too. Her children created Liberty 614 when they were 6 and 10 to commemorate Flag Day and the day “Under God” was added to our Pledge of

Allegiance. It’s also the U.S. Army Birthday. COVID thwarted their plans to build an American Flag cake at the White House out of strawberries and blueberries like she had done so many times in kindergarten classes to teach about the order our states were added to the union. The Iler Family is committed to patriotism and to insuring they leave legacy footprints for others to follow.

Helping a Hero is blessed to have leaders who are committed to accomplishing the mission of building homes for our wounded heroes. Lee Greenwood joined the charity in 2012 as the National Ambassador and has been another tireless leader singing at dozens of Groundbreakings and Welcome Home Ceremonies. In tribute to the 40th Anniversary of our second National Anthem: God Bless the USA and to his 80th birthday, Helping a Hero merged two annual awards to form the ee reen ood Patriot ard. Meredith is the frst to honor others and rarely allows anyone to honor her. Knowing that, Lee Greenwood and several of the heroes surprised her with The Lee Greenwood Patriot Award in her hometown of Dallas alongside the other Lee Greenwood Patriot Award honorees that night: Mica Mosbacher, Clark and Tavia Hunt, Jim Caviezel, and Roger Clemens. Having her Helping a Hero family honor her for her passion, patriotism, and commitment to building adapted homes for our heroes meant the world to her. When SSgt Daniel Gilyeat, USMC (Ret) told her, “You are orth my sacrifce and you changed my life fore er, it brought tears to her eyes to know Helping a Hero is making a difference and is still needed today.

PAULA DEEN National Ambassador, Helping a Hero

Paula Deen, the Queen of Southern Cuisine, is an American cooking and lifestyle icon. Paula’s success story began with just $200 left to her name and her ability to cook. She decided to start “The Bag Lady,” a home-based catering company and then opened The Lady & Sons restaurant in Savannah with her sons, Jamie and Bobby. Today, Paula has a thriving food empire and is the author of 18 cookbooks that sold more than 11 million copies. And when you read her latest cookbook, you will see some photos and stories about Helping a Hero and the men and women who inspired her to become our National Ambassador.

Paula's involvement with Helping a Hero began in 2014 on her Paula Deen Live! Tour. Paula invited Meredith Iler and several heroes to be in the audience for a show when Lee Greenwood was singing. Lee served as the National Ambassador for Helping a Hero for over a decade and opened so many doors for Helping a Hero. After Lee Greenwood's 40th All Star Tribute Concert in Huntsville, Alabama in 2021, Paula and Lee co-hosted a telethon for Helping a Hero where Paula really got to know our heroes.

Paula has a personal connection to Helping a Hero's mission. Her dad was riding his bicycle home from work at the age of 16 when he was hit by a truck and lost his leg. Seeing her dad struggle to accomplish simple tasks in their unadapted home as diffcult. e died at the young age of . hen her mother lost her leg and Paula watched her struggle even more to get around the home as she died before getting a prosthetic. Her parents faced obstacles just to go to the restroom, take a shower, or shake off the pain of getting up from a fall.

Choking back tears, Paula recalls her parents living in a regular home,

Help Paula Deen Build Homes for our Military Heroes

“They never complained, and I can’t help but think how fortunate my parents would have been had they been blessed with a specially adapted home. It’s hard for us to imagine being in this spot, living day by day with all the trials and roadblocks, it takes a special person.”

Helping a Hero is doing the Lord’s work by building these adapted homes and changing our heroes lives.

Few people have seen what Paula saw on a daily basis growing up with parents who struggled in the home due to their amputations. Paula has been an ardent supporter of elping a ero since her frst , donation from the Bag Lady Foundation in 2014 and we are blessed by her passion and commitment to making our heroes' lives easier. “Helping a Hero is doing the Lord’s work by building these adapted homes and changing our heroes lives.” Paula Deen shared.

Please join Paula Deen and support Helping a Hero and the 100 Homes Challenge.

Make a donation today: https://secure.helpingahero. org/100homes-website-home. Or call 888-786-9531 and arrange for a donation through your foundation, transfer of stock, an in kind donation to a home or becoming a 75% sponsor of a specifc home.

You can also mail a check payable to Helping a Hero: HelpingaHero.org. (IRS Tax ID 20-5433598)

c/o Mr. Michael Sloan CPA, Treasurer

Paula Deen COOKING WITH HEROES

Paula is passionate about making our heroes' kitchens the heart of their homes. A few months ago, she invited some of our heroes into her home to cook with her. Cooking with Paula includes laughter, bantering, fun and a lot of stories.

J.P. & Crystal Lane, Meredith Iler, Travis Strong, Michael Groover, Paula Deen and Tate Stevens on Paula's front porch after a day of cooking.

SPC JUSTIN LANE , USA (RET)

Helping a Hero Home Recipient

Justin “JP” Lane was in 8th grade when 9-11 happened and the twin towers fell. He decided on that day that he would go fght for America as soon as he as old enough.

JP’s Dad served sixteen years in the Air Force, but JP decided he would join the US Army to pursue tactical training. J.P. enlisted in December 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan two years later. During a routine route clearing mission, a 300 lb IED exploded, taking both of his legs, broke his pelvis and disconnected his spine. He had a long rehabilitation facing him when he got back home. While there are still many challenges ahead, .P. is confdent that od protected him on the battlefeld and continues to atch over him each day.

hen .P. frst met Meredith ler and the leaders from elping a Hero, he was single with the dream of pursuing a music career. Meredith reached out to Lee Greenwood and built a recording studio into his home. J.P. has had the opportunity to sing with many famous musicians over the years and is now traveling around the country speaking and singing. Helping a Hero built his home in Canyon Lake, Texas. It is 3 bedrooms and is fully wheelchair accessible. His home has many adaptations including wider doors, a roll-in shower, and a rollunder sink and other safety features throughout his home.

Now J.P. is an author as well. His book, Walking Again, tells the story of his journey from childhood, to the battlefeld, his recovery and his new life today with his beautiful wife, Crystal. He is a motivational speaker hired by the United States Army to speak on “Resiliency” to active duty service members around the country.

Buckingham and Tate Stevens

CPL FRANK FIELDS , USA (RET)

Helping a Hero Home Recipient

CPL Frank Fields joined the Army and deployed to Sadr City, Iraq with the Big Red One. Frank conducted over 100 missions and was a member of an infantry unit that primarily conducted missions at night. On November 21, 2006, Frank and his unit went out on Route Brewers… which was known for being one of the heaviest hit routes in Sadr City. CPL Fields was driving the lead HUMVEE, when they were hit by an EFP causing the inside of the vehicle to be engulfed in ames instantly. hen CP ields tried to exit the HUMVEE, he fell straight to the ground not realizing he had lost both of his legs in the blast. His platoon sergeant dragged him away from the exploding truck, ultimately saving his life.

Following his rehabilitation at BAMC, Frank began his long road to recovery by overcoming the grief of losing both of his legs. He had to face his new reality alone, and not give in to the depression looming over him. For Frank, the next 15 years involved countless surgeries, rehabilitation, broken relationships, dashed dreams, but he never gave up hope that tomorrow would be better. Today, he is one of the top motivational speakers in the wounded warrior community and teaches veterans to thrive, not just survive.

Frank overcame many obstacles alone, but that all changed once he met his fanc , a nee on ale . hey ere dra n to each other and understood each other on a deeper level because Tawnee too had to overcome great loss. Tawnee is the widow of Sergeant Marty Gonzalez, USMC. Sgt. Gonzalez was a highly decorated Marine who was injured in Fallujah, Iraq, and ultimately gave his life after dying from his injuries sustained in combat. Tawnee had to stay strong for her

daughter Emry, and her 3 beautiful step-babies. The best way to honor Marty was to continue to live, and love. Never did she think that love would strike twice in her life.

When the two met, Frank and Tawnee had an instant connection that everyone around them could see. Their friendship grew and their relationship blossomed. Frank understood that by loving Tawnee, it also meant he would be helping raise, guide, and love the child of a Fallen Brother. Emry was so excited when Frank asked her if it would be ok for him to marry her mom? She hugged him and said, “I believe my Daddy sent you to us so you can watch over and protect us like he did!” Frank and Tawnee recently added to their family when they welcomed their precious son little Frank III. Perry Homes is building Frank and Tawnee’s accessible home here rank ill fnally ha e complete freedom inside his home for the ery frst time. elping a Hero is planning a Welcome Home ceremony in midNovember. Thank you to Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops, Black i e offee and he Perry omes oundation for funding this home. This beautifully blended and growing family knows the best is yet to come.

"I like Frank. He’s my best friend. There’s no couple as cute as you and Frank, Mommy – except you and Daddy," Emry said. Even Lola the family dog cuddles up to Frank, approving of the match!

JOHNNY MORRIS

Founder and CEO, Bass Pro Shops

Johnny Morris, Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, is a patriot who carries on the legacy of his father, John A. Morris who served in World War II in the Battle of the Bulge. When Johnny learned about elping a ero, he anted to get in ol ed. e frst committed 100% of the funding to build 10 adapted homes for our wounded heroes and then launched the 100 Homes Challenge where he committed to pay 25% of the cost of the next 100 Helping a Hero homes. Since then, he has invited the public to join the challenge by donating any amount or even funding the other 75% of a home.

Bass Pro Shops was celebrating its 50th Anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville when Johnny Morris invited Helping a Hero to surprise a wounded warrior with a key representing their future Helping a Hero home. Six companies stepped up to fund the other 75% of a Helping a Hero home and we were able to surprise six heroes with homes. It was an incredible night.

Johnny Morris with his father and personal hero, John A. Morris.

Johnny’s father on his way to serve in “The Battle of the Bulge” in World War II

SSG SHILO HARRIS, USA (RET)

Helping a Hero Home Recipient

Shilo Harris came from a family with deep roots in military service. As a son of a Vietnam veteran, Shilo always knew he wanted to be a soldier. On September 11th his life changed forever and shortly afterward he enlisted as a Cavalry Scout in the US Army.

On his second deployment with the 10th Mountain Division he was assigned and worked near southern Baghdad. On February 19, 2007, Harris’ armored vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion injured the driver and ended the lives of three of his fellow soldiers. Shilo survived but with severe third degree burns on 35% of his body. The severity of the burns meant the loss of Shilo’s ears, the tip of his nose and three fngers. he crushing explosion fractured his left collarbone and C-7 vertebrae.

The devastating injuries required that Shilo remain in a medically induced coma for 48 days; after, he spent nearly three years recovering and undergoing intensive physical therapy at the burn unit of Brooklyn Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, . hile at AMC, he as the frst soldier to participate in cutting-edge regenerative stem-cell research to regro his fngers, and later received prosthetic ears. Shilo s recovery has involved more than 75 surgeries, which required his family to spend up to six hours a day on wound care. Shilo also struggled from PTSD. In 2010 he was medically retired from the Army. Shilo re ects on his time in the service and

his injuries: “Everything in life is a gift. Sometimes it may not be the gift you want but you realize that your challenges are a new beginning.”

Shilo is a family man ho is committed to his fve children and his wife, Jamie. In 2012, Helping a Hero partnered with ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to build Shilo a new home equipped to serve the needs of Shilo’s unique medical and physical circumstances. Today, Shilo is a motivational speaker, sharing his story with groups around the country, raising awareness for PTSD and serving as an inspiration to fellow soldiers.

For More Information, please call Misty at 888-786-9531.

ROGER CLEMENS National Ambassador, Helping a Hero

Roger Clemens spent 24 years in the MLB and received 7 Cy-Young Awards. In 2001, Roger played for the New York Yankees and was scheduled to pitch on 9-11. He woke up to the news that a plane hit the World Trade Center. Like most Americans, it wasn’t until the 2nd plane hit, that he knew America was under attack. The next few days were challenging. The MLB didn’t know what to do or how long to wait until resuming games. Anyone who knows Roger, knows he is a patriot. He wore the #22 jersey and when he heard that the nearby Fire Station 22 had some losses, he went to visit them. When MLB fnally resumed games, the ankees traveled to play in Chicago. There wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium as the National Anthem was sung. Roger got his 20th win but the real take away from the game was the national unity and patriotism among the fans.

20 years after that fateful day, Roger Clemens had a chance to share his story with some of our heroes who were severely injured while defending our nation. Helping a Hero selected Roger to receive The Lee Greenwood Patriot Award for his tireless support for our military throughout his career and in retirement. Our heroes love Roger and love his stories. They treasure the signed ball he often gives them. And, Roger has a unique way to inspire them to dream again. For the past 15 years, Roger has been a major supporter of Helping a Hero. He loves our heroes and makes time to attend Groundbreakings, Welcome Home Ceremonies, golf tournaments and other events. We must never forget the stories of 9-11 and we must continue to pass them to the next generation. The legacy of patriotism is alive and well in the Clemens family and we are grateful to Roger for being an incredible example on and off the mound.

CPL SUE DOWNES CRUTCHFIELD, USA (RET) Helping a Hero Home Recipient

CP Sue o nes Crutchfeld, USA et lives in o ne Lake where she is able to drive her UTV donated by Bass Pro Shops around the golf cart friendly community. The Boardwalk boasts shops like Kendra Scott and restaurants like First Watch. The peaceful lake community provides the perfect setting to visit the Veteran's Memorial where she can remember her best friend who died in the same blast she survived. CPL Sue Downes joined the Army as a Military Police Offcer and deployed to Afghanistan where she was a HUMVEE gunner. After her promotion to driver, she volunteered to fll in for the gunner ho as sick so a humanitarian mission wasn't canceled. You see...she still had one day of leave before she was to report for duty. Shortly after the mission began, they hit 2 landmines powered by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG). She lost both legs below the knee, her liver and intestines were lacerated, and she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Medivac couldn’t y due to the bli ard, so they had to drive over the grueling terrain for 7 hours. She is here today to give glory to God and a hug to her children ho motivated her to keep fghting to live.

CP o nes as the frst hero to receive a home in our ohnny Morris 100 Homes Challenge. Helping a Hero partnered with Caldwell Homes to build this beautiful 2600 sq ft adapted home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Challenger The Eagle, Paula Deen and Lee Greenwood presented her the keys to her future. "Having an adapted home means the world to me. It gave me hope to dream again and to believe that the bend in the road is just the beginning of God's blessings." said Sue. Marrying the love of her life, Tim Crutchfeld, provided the fairy tale ending she al ays dreamed about. Welcome Home and God Bless the USA!

The freedom she has in her Helping a Hero adapted home brings tears to her eyes when thinking of those dark nights she struggled to reach her second oor bedroom

SPC ZACH PARKER , USA (RET)

Helping a Hero Home Recipient

SPC Zach Parker joined the US Army to help fght the enemy and protect our way of life. In 2011, he was deployed to Kandahar Province in Afghanistan as a combat medic for his platoon. They were on a route clearance patrol in June of 2012 when they hit a deep buried IED that left SPC Parker a triple amputee. Zach lost his left arm through the shoulder, right leg at the hip, and left leg above the knee.

After being stabilized at Landstuhl, SPC Parker did his extensive rehabilitation in San Antonio where he met his future wife, Misty, who was an NCO in the military. An incredible love story unfolded and they are now happily married with two children. Zach and Misty love to take their boys fshing and on any outdoor adventure. Since Misty is a native of Springfeld, MO the kids love to explore the Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium while their dad shops for

Even after diffcult trials and the loss of three of his limbs, Zach is not one to be conquered by his circumstances.

hunting and fshing equipment at Bass Pro. Zach and Misty moved into their Lennar Home in Montgomery County near Zach’s family. It is the frst time, his large truck is able to ft into his garage and the height of the ceiling still enables him to use the crane on his truck for his Segway wheelchair while inside the garage.

Zach is very humble and is so grateful to Lennar and Helping a Hero for the openness and safety of his new house which allows him to be the husband and Dad he wants to be. Zach still can't believe that Lennar committed 10 homes to Helping a Hero and applauds them for a job well done.

Zach has learned each day is a gift, and he knows the gift of an adapted home has given him the ability to live each day to the fullest.

Now that he has a home that enables him to go into every room on his wheelchair he can be the husband and Dad he wants to be.

CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS

What is your mission? Construction Concepts is committed to building a better future for the communities where we live and work. Our charity initiative, BLDit (Building Lives and Dreams in Texas), was established to foster a philanthropic relationship in the community and bring about meaningful change in the lives of others.

What is the purpose behind your philanthropy?

“Helping children in need has always been at the heart of BLDit,” said Joshua Weisman, CEO of Construction Concepts. BLDit’s areas of giving focus on organizations that are service-based and directly impacting the lives of children and their families. Whether that’s through their cancer journey, scholarships for education, mentoring, or fun experiences that allow them to experience a break from their day-to-day life, BLDit is dedicated to providing opportunities to support children in families in need of a helping hand.’

How have you impacted the community? We have been fortunate to work with several local organizations that are changing lives each and every day. Just a few of the ways we have given back this year include: BLDit has been able to support B.I.G. Love Cancer Care serving at 10 Texas hospitals; provide a construction facelift to the Sunshine Kids house through The Arts of Healing Foundation; support the Houston Police Department of South Gessner Gulfton’s Back-to-School Drive with 200 backpacks; and supported HLSR Armed Forces Committee in honoring our First Responders.

What are you most proud of? The number of people we have brought into our circle of giving back and raising awareness of the organizations in our city that are helping those in need. Our mission extends beyond just our company, family and friends. Many of our clients and their teams have seen the impact of it and generously gi e their fnancial support to the organizations we works with growing our mission year over year. We want to build more than just buildings, we want to build a better Houston – together.

THE SALVATION ARMY OF GREATER HOUSTON

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Since 1889, The Salvation Army of Greater Houston, a United Way of Greater Houston partner agency, has served Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties through three areas of focus: Life Navigation, Youth Development and Rehabilitation. Programming locally includes supportive shelters, corps community care centers, emergency disaster relief, social services, youth programs, senior programs and adult rehabilitation.

Each year nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is the largest non-governmental social services provider in the United States serving every zip code. Of every dollar given locally, about 84 cents goes directly to program services in the Greater Houston Area.

The Salvation Army relies heavily on generous public support, faithful community partners and committed volunteers who support its programs and play a crucial role in its ability to provide quality social services for the entire community. Through the skills and experience they bring olunteers ma e signifcant contributions by positively impacting the lives of those they assist. Salvation Army volunteers change lives, uplift families and support communities throughout our nation every day. Some of the many ways to get involved include helping pack Food Boxes for those suffering from food insecurity, becoming a Bell Ringer at Christmas or adopting an Angel through The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program.

To volunteer, donate or learn more about The Salvation Army of Greater Houston, please visit www. salvationarmyhouston.org

1500 Austin Street Houston, TX 77002

Phone: (713) 752-0677

www.SalvationArmyHouston.org

B.I.G. LOVE CANCER CARE

How does BIG Love impact the communities they serve? After 16 years of service, BIG Love now provides over 15 innovative programs at 10 Texas hospitals helping families from the moment of diagnosis all the way to survivorship or loss.

2022 Impact:

• 582 families newly diagnosed received gifts, food, gift cards and other necessary supplies

• 575 Kids were granted wishes for special food, toys, clothes, comfort items

• families recei ed signifcant fnancial support for housing funerals, medical supplies, transportation and other pressing needs

• 52 End-of-life families received daily personalized care including: meals, gift cards, supplies and special requests

• 23 Kids are enrolled in our Sibling Support Groups

• 53 families are enrolled in a support group and receive special opportunities and gifts

• 1,328 Holiday gifts and baskets delivered to help make the holidays brighter

• 8,640 Individuals have received food, drinks, snacks

• 5,111 Healthy Catered meals delivered to hospital rooms

• 49 Free Individual Grief Therapy sessions provided

• 21 College Scholarships given to survivors or their siblings ($2k each)

Why was BIG Love founded? “In 2004, my daughter Brooke, was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in my arms on September 29, 2006,” said Jessica Phillips, cofounder of B.I.G. Love Cancer Care. “Her love changed my life forever, and her illness gave me insight to recognize the strong need for basic support for the littlest and sickest in our communities. Although BIG Love was born out of much suffering, we believe we can ease the suffering for thousands of others through our o n frst hand experience and innovative approaches to pediatric cancer care.”

Until a cure is found, the journey through cancer, especially one for a child, is incomprehensible. BIG Love strives to ease the childhood cancer journey by meeting the most basic and urgent physical emotional and fnancial needs of oncology and hematology patients and their families throughout their entire cancer journey and beyond.

How many hospitals is BIG Love in? BIG Love is serving 10 Hospitals throughout Texas offering over 12 service-based programs to pediatric cancer families. The Hospitals being served at this time are Texas Children’s Hospital (Main Campus, Katy, and The Woodlands), MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital (Houston), Dell Children’s Medical Center (Austin), Methodist Children’s Hospital (San Antonio), Brooke Army Medical Center (San Antonio), McLane’s Children’s Hospital (Temple), Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital (Houston).

How can people support your mission? If you are looking for a meaningful and life-changing experience, consider volunteering, making a donation, hosting a fundraiser, or becoming a community partner with us! With your help, we can continue to provide love and support to over 100,000 cancer families.

Co-Founder

Jessica Phillips with BIG Love Ambassador, Jared Zavala

SPINDLETOP COMMUNITY IMPACT PARTNERS

What year was your organization launched? Spindletop Community Impact Partners, Inc. was founded in 1966 with a focus on connecting members of the energy industry ith local non profts serving at-risk children.

What is your mission? Spindletop Community Impact Partners, Inc. enhances the lives of at-risk youth through funding and volunteering from the energy industry, while promoting fellowship and networking among its participants.

Why did you launch the organization? Spindletop was founded by an energy executive who had a vision to gather the energy industry behind a collective cause – helping Houston’s at-risk children. It all began with a charitable golf tournament, which has grown over the years to be the world’s largest energy professionals charitable golf tournament. Today, Spindletop holds two annual special events –the Spindletop Golf Tournament and the Spindletop Holiday Ball. Through donations and sponsorships received, integral funding is pro ided annually to local youth non proft organi ations ser ing children in need.

What are you most proud of? There is so much to be proud of, but most importantly, it is inspiring to see one industry rally together to support the betterment of children. At Spindletop, we strive to set at-risk youth on a path for brighter, healthier and happier futures. We do so not only through funding, but also volunteerism. While many of our sponsors are contributing corporate funds to Spindletop’s mission, members of each corporation – be it rising leaders, executives or retirees – offer their personal time to work hands-on with these special children at a variety of service projects that Spindletop hosts. Since the inception of our volunteer program in 2018, we have built a volunteer army of more than 500 who offer their time, energy and compassion to these children and help facilitate STEM fairs or arts and crafts projects, assemble student ID kits for parents to be prepared should their child go missing, clean up school gardens for children to learn about healthy eating, and much, much more! In 2022 alone, our volunteers contributed more than 1,150 hours to the community in service work –an in-kind gift of nearly $37,000 in volunteer time. Spindletop strives to see positive change in the lives of Houston’s children, and we are able to do so with this tremendous support!

How have you impacted the community? Spindletop strives to ma e a signifcant impact on our community s children and ha e most recently adopted an impact model to best illustrate this to the community. Our impact statement is: Spindletop connects at-risk youth to resources that educate, empower, protect and nurture them throughout their life’s journey. Spindletop implements its positive change on the greater ouston community through four defned giving pillars, which include:

• Educate: Bolster foundational education resources to prepare children for all levels of schooling

• mpo er nspire youth to become confdent self a are individuals using life skills that strengthen social and emotional development

• Protect: Advocate for children’s safety and security within our community

• Nurture: Rise above disability and illness enabling individuals to live healthy, capable lives

These giving pillars allow us to touch every aspect of a child’s life, including education, mental health, safety and overall well-being, and

healthcare and special needs. This year, Spindletop has supported more than 30 organizations across these four areas, including TEACH-To Educate All Children, YMCA of Greater Houston, Kids’ Meals, Camp for All, Palmer Drug Abuse Program, Girls Inc. of Greater Houston, The Children’s Assessment Center, Urban Harvest and Youth Development Center.

Tell us about your big event. The Spindletop Holiday Ball is the premier holiday event in the energy industry, with executives and industry professionals from companies across the energy sector in attendance. On November 29, Spindletop will host its 49th Annual Spindletop Holiday Ball at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. Along with traditional gala festivities, guests enjoy performances by t o Spindletop non proft partners a dance performance by the children of Ensemble Theatre and instrumental entertainment by the Small Ensemble of Virtuosi of Houston. Three awards are presented, which include the Spindletop Award and Spindletop Founders Award which recognize community leaders within the energy industry and a Volunteer Service Award. Guests also take part in the annual Spindletop Toy Drive by bringing toys and books for children to enjoy, which are collected by our Spindletop “elves” – children from different non proft partners.

How many employees and volunteers work with your organization? There is a total of two full-time employees at Spindletop Community Impact Partners. We are small but mighty and ha e an e er o ing group of dedicated oard embers merging Leader Steering Committee members and volunteers from across the energy sector, totaling more than 500 people.

How much have you raised since you launched? Since its inception, Spindletop has raised and distributed more than $26 million, which directly assist programs that support the following: child abuse prevention; pediatric medical research; human tracking prevention and recovery; substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation; education and scholarships, including after-school programs; residential centers and foster care; family health and wellbeing and much more.

What are your major challenges? With Houston being home to more than non proft organi ations thin one of our biggest challenges is ensuring we stay up to date on community issues and the overall needs of underserved children to ensure that our presence as a non proft and imprint as a funder stay current and aligned with how we can make the greatest impact on those in need.

BAYOU PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION

What year was your organization launched? Bayou Preservation Association emerged in 1966, devoted to watershed oversight and information dissemination, promoting community education and participation in watershed management decisions.

What is your mission? At Bayou Preservation Association, we work to celebrate, protect and restore our bayous and waterways. Through a science-based approach to policies and actions, led by collaboration, we work to restore a network of healthy bayous, streams and watersheds.

Why did you launch the organization? In the mid-1960s, a collective of homeowners residing in Houston’s Memorial Park area came together to establish the Buffalo Bayou Preservation Association (BBPA). Their primary goal was to safeguard the natural beauty of the local bayou. In 1966, Terry Hershey and a group of concerned individuals stumbled upon a section of Buffalo Bayou near Chimney Rock that had been severely affected. Fallen trees and bulldozed undergrowth was harming its landscape. Further investigation revealed that the Harris County Flood Control District had initiated a rerouting of Buffalo Bayou ithout any prior public notifcation.

Outraged by the state of the bayou and the absence of a democratic process, Terry Hershey, a resident of Memorial herself, joined forces with BBPA and swiftly emerged as its most prominent and passionate advocate.

What are you most proud of? We are in the process of establishing an extensive network of informative and captivating interpretive signage throughout Harris County Parks. Additionally, we are working towards creating a circular economy for plastic products, identifying and reporting bacterial leaks at their origins, enhancing access to and utilization of our bayous by diverse communities, and actively involving the people of Houston in everyday stewardship efforts.

How have you impacted the community? In the Summer of

2023, our team, with the support of the Texas Conservation Corps, conducted targeted bacteria monitoring along Pine Gully and Little White Oak Bayous, waterways known to have high levels of bacteria. This project tested 35 points of concern across the two bayous. Through our efforts, the city as able to fnd and remediate a grease bloc age and a water leak, identify an additional leak that is pending repair, and identify two private lines releasing into the bayous that are being investigated.

Tell us about your big event. We are thrilled to announce in early 2024 the bayou-inspired theme for our annual spring fundraiser gala. This event is pivotal in securing essential operational funds for our organization. We are also excited to announce our Summer 2024 Brown Bag Series: “Balancing Growth, Preservation, and Conservation.”

How many employees and volunteers work with your organization? s mission is dri en by a team of f e dedicated employees across four key programs: Bayou Appreciation, Bayou Citizen Science Program, Stream Corridor Restoration and Clean Bayous. Since 1966, BPA has actively engaged over 10,000 volunteers in litter cleanups, training community scientists in water quality protection, and gathering vital data on the well-being of riparian and bayou corridors.

How much have you raised since you launched? Through years of hard work and dedication to preserving Houston’s rich and diverse bayous and waterways, the organization has successfully raised $8.5 million since 2012.

What are your major challenges? Securing funding, li e for many non proft organi ations has pro en to be particularly challenging as we navigate the post-Covid-19 landscape. Given our status as the longest-running conservation organization in the region, which was founded by Terry Hershey, it is imperative that we honor our historical legacy while offering modern approaches that will safeguard our region’s bayous for generations to come.

THE CHILDREN’S ASSESSMENT CENTER

What year was your organization launched? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) began providing services to Harris County children and families in 1991, and our Foundation was created in 1995 to provide additional funding for increased access to our well-rounded care.

What is your mission? The mission of The CAC is to provide a professional, compassionate and coordinated approach to the treatment of sexually abused children and their families and to serve as an advocate for all children in our community. We exist to protect children, heal families, and pre ent child sexual abuse and child sex traffc ing in our community.

Why did you launch the organization? The CAC is the only advocacy center in Harris County and the largest nationwide. We provide healing services to over 6,000 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. The goal of The CAC is to provide all the services children and families need in one place. We provide forensic interviewing, therapy and psychological services, and medical services at no cost. We also facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. We hope our process will give children and families the tools necessary to empower them on their healing

journey. We exist to help our community become a better, safer place for each child of Harris County.

What are you most proud of? At The CAC, awareness and advocacy are the foundation for keeping children safe. The CAC provides prevention trainings to adults and children in Harris County. We are proud to announce that in 2022, our team trained 36,685 community members – a 239% increase from 2021 to 2022! You can learn more about our free virtual and in-person trainings on our website www.cachouston.org.

Tell us about your big event. The CAC is excited to welcome guests to our annual Spirit of Spring Gala on April 12, 2024. The Gala will be held at the Houstonian Hotel and chaired by CAC Board Members Buckley Morlot and Kim inyopusarer . ast year e hosted our frst gala after a 20+ year hiatus. This year, we are excited to focus on the power of prevention and encouraging our community to become part of the solution to end child sexual abuse. Join us for a fun and mission-focused evening as we hear from Jenna Quinn, a child sexual abuse survivor and namesake of “Jenna’s Law” legislation on the state and federal level. Your participation will help us raise funds to empower children and families on their healing journey and raise awareness to prevent child sexual abuse in our community.

KIDS’ MEALS

What is your mission? Launched in 2006, Kids’ Meals’ mission is to end childhood hunger in Houston by delivering free, healthy meals year-round to the doorsteps of Houston’s hungriest preschool-aged children and through collaboration, provide their families with resources to end the cycle of poverty.

Why did you launch the organization? More than 50,000 children in our city are going to bed hungry, living in food deserts, and living food insecure. Children who are ages 5 and under suffer most from lack of nutrition because their brains and bodies are in the most formative years and are not yet old enough to receive free meals through the school system. In response, the Kids’ Meals program launched to help end childhood hunger in our city.

What are you most proud of? Since its inception, Kids’ Meals has prepared and delivered more than 13 million free meals to food-insecure children in 52 zip codes in Harris and Montgomery Counties. What started as a small grassroots organization, delivering a few hundred meals per day, now delivers an annual daily average of more than meals. or the frst time e er e are on pace to deliver 2.1 million free, healthy meals in just one year in 2023. By ensuring children have basic daily nutrition, we are changing not only their mealtimes but their entire lifetimes.

What’s been your impact in the community Kids’ Meals is a frst responder to impo erished children. n addition to nutritious daily meals, we deliver weekly grocery bags of fresh produce and non-perishable staples. We leverage our daily access to connect families with vital wrap-around service information such as early childhood education, adult and child literacy, medical/dental care, ESL classes, fnancial planning mental health and ob s ills training. ur average all-in cost per meal delivered is only $2.

Tell us about your big event. On Monday, November 13, 2023, at the Marriott Marquis Houston, the 15th Annual Harvest Luncheon will bring together over 1,400 attendees from corporations, foundations, and Houstonians interested in delivering hope to the future of our great city by investing in the next generation. Our luncheon offers a VIP experience, Mimosas & Market, a curated group of incredible vendors offering a collection of unique items to kick off your holiday shopping, and a spectacular silent auction crowned by an outstanding program. Sponsorships and tickets are on our website.

How many employees and volunteers work with your organization? Forty employees work at Kids’ Meals with most staff delivering direct program services to children. Kids’ Meals employees are committed and passionate about their work. In fact, our drivers are our “Hope Providers” because Kids’ Meals provides so much more than just a meal, they provide hope daily. In addition, our incredible 20,000 annual volunteers are a force to be reckoned with. They give over 60,000 hours each year to make sandwiches and pack lunches for the children in our city.

What are your major challenges? In 2008, Feeding America reported that Harris County had the highest percentage of children living with food insecurity among highly populated counties nationwide. More recent studies from Children at Risk and Northwestern University indicate the pandemic created a long-term economic impact that will affect low-income families for years. With an estimated 50,000 children under six facing food insecurity in Houston, Kids Meals’ primary goal is to serve at least half of them by 2031 and to continue building the infrastructure to keep growing. To accomplish this goal, we need Houstonians to partner with us as volunteers and donors to build a better city for our children and families.

PINK BOWS FOUNDATION

What year was your organization launched? Pink Bows Foundation was founded in May of 2022 following the tragic loss of Madison Alexis Dubiski, who lost her life while attending Travis Scott’s Astroworld Music Festival at the age of 23, on November 5, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

What is your mission? Pink Bows Foundation promotes stronger safety protocols to be consistently implemented at entertainment venues while encouraging safe spaces and protecting attendees to prevent avoidable injuries or death.

Why did you launch the organization? Ten people were illed hen certain companies and people prioriti ed profts and notoriety over safety. The lifetime of emotional pain and agony for the families and friends who lost a loved one will never go away. Their lives will never be the same. Additionally, there are hundreds of other “surviving victims’” the ones that survived the trauma, who will be scared for the rest of their lives too. Pink Bows Foundation is determined to lead the efforts to improve safety protocols at concerts, festivals, and events to ensure that more lives are not needlessly lost.

Tell us about your big give. Pink Bows Foundation’s big give is to fund multiple mechanisms that support training, design and facilitate safety protocols, and create specialized safety plans ia tas forces specifc to outdoor music festivals to help mitigate future tragedies and keep patrons safe. We will rely heavily on the support of groups working with local and state agencies to implement a “Maddie’s Law” or “Showstoppers” type of initiative, which would allow a third-party, independent decision-maker to stop an event

when mandatory regulations and safety protocols have been breached, to ensure safety at concerts, festivals, and other large gatherings.

What are you most proud of? The Pink Bows Safe Space tent was launched in June of 2023. Our 20 x 30 foot Pink Tent sticks out like a beacon of light at any event. The Pink Bows Safe Space™, is designed for individuals who feel overwhelmed, anxious or uneasy, and need a mental health break. Our safe space will offer a quiet and calming environment where you can remove yourself from the chaos and relax ta e deep breaths fnd a peaceful spot to sit focus on an object, listen to soothing music, or speak to one of our Mental Health Counselors. Our goal is to provide a friendly atmosphere that is safe and welcoming to everyone, here you can reset and feel confdent that you are not in any emotional or physical danger. Additionally, Pink Bows Foundation is proud of the quick action by community members to form a 501c3 to formalize the action needed to create measures so that no family would have to deal with the pain of losing a child in such a senseless manner. Within a very short period, we have not only formed an offcial nonproft organi ation elected a board of directors and raised money to help support the mission, but we have garnered tremendous support from the community which will help bring this necessary conversation to the front of the line. Pink Bows Foundation isn’t just about losing one amazing young woman, but what she represents. Pink Bows Foundation ill ma e a signifcant difference in ho people will enjoy attending events and go home safely at the end of the night.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Houston Children’s Charity is celebrating 27 fruitful years of impacting the lives of more than 3 million children across the Houston area!

Through our invaluable partnerships with dedicated sponsors and committed volunteers, we have provided support to 300 agencies through our unique programs. These programs include, A Better Night's Sleep, which has supplied over 31,000 beds to children in need, HCC Closet, which has provided clothing and other small household items to over 33,000 children and their families at no-cost, Chariots for Children, which has provided 322 specially equipped vehicles to agencies and individual families, our Christmas Toy Distribution, which has brought holiday cheer to over 15,000 children, Adopt-A-Family, which gives struggling families the opportunity to have their speci met by our generous sponsors, Back2School in partnership with The Rod Ryan Show on 94.5 The Buzz, has provided over 50,000 students with the school supplies necessary to embark on their academic adventures, KidsSMART, which supports and encourages at-risk students’ academic progress in partnership with TEACH (To Educate All Children), and Houston Children’s Family Emergency Fund at Texas Children’s Cancer Center through the Texas Children’s Hospital Supportive Care Program, which seeks to alleviate nancial burden off of families so that they can focus on what really matters - the wellbeing of their precious children. HCC works to create a world where every child has their very own bed, clothing, school supplies, transportation, health services, and joyful holidays.