On July 3rd while returning from an annual family road trip in Colorado back to their home in Houston, Texas the Berry Family found themselves to be victims of a horrific and tragic fatal car accident. Their Minivan carrying parents Joshua and Robin Berry and their children Peter age 9, Aaron age 8, and Willa age 6 was hit head on by another vehicle who had crossed into their lane of traffic. The parents Joshua and Robin Berry were tragically killed leaving their 3 children behind. While the children did survive the crash, both boys sustained serious spinal cord injuries and they are both paralyzed below the waist. The children are currently being treated for their many injuries in a Houston, Texas area hospital.

There is a significant urgent need to raise funds to aid these now orphaned children’s ongoing needs, including medical rehabilitation, physical therapy, psychological support and education.

Show Your Hearts will facilitate the efforts of all people who want to come to these children’s aid and support them in this time of need. Donations will be made directly to the Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust.

Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust
Bank of Texas
510 Bering, 5th Floor
Houston, Texas 77057

You can also donate by going directly to the website set up to help these kids out – Show Your Hearts.

Victory sells these card at local participating retailers for a minimum donation of $70 – which entitles you to a 20% discount at over 900 (!) of Houston’s best stores now through November 7th. The proceeds from the sale of this card will help make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families in Houston and the surrounding areas and fund research for a cure. The card is now available at The Hamilton Shirt Co.

Thank you for supporting the American Cancer Society! Buy yours TODAY!

Have you wished for an easy way to give back and help out those in need during this crisis?

One very easy way is to check out this group of silent auction items organized by the local group Houston Chowhounds. Organized by Jenny Wang (the food blogger that writes I’m Never Full) along with the rest of the Chowhounds, they’ve amassed a formidable list of very desirable items with all the proceeds going to the Gulf Coast fisherman affected by the BP oil spill disaster. With the help of ticket sales, cash donations, and this online auction, the money raised will go to everyday needs of the fisherman – mortgage payments, food and household expenses, bills, and medical care. The auction has been going great, the goal of raising $15,000 seems to be easily within reach. The auction items come in all price ranges…you’ll be able to find something to bid on no matter how much you can afford to give. Best of luck – you have now though July 19th at noon to bid!

Check out some of these excellent auction highlights:

1. Dinner for four at Beaver’s Ice House – currently at $325
2. Pig Butchering class with Chef Chris Shepard of Catalan – currently at $600
3. Dinner for 2 with Alison Cook of the Houston Chronicle – currently at $550
4. Private wine tasting dinner for 8 at The Tasting Room with Chef Michael Kramer – currently at $500
5. Lunch for 4 and restaurant tour with Elouise Adams Jones, better know as “Ouisie” – currently at $300

One thing that is very much in demand by Lone Star Boxer Rescue is the need for temporary foster homes. Often a dog can’t be placed in a permanent home right away and a temporary situation for the dogs would be extremely helpful. You can also donate much needed cash to this worthwhile charity. Want to take care of a pup for a while?

David Hamilton’s adopted dog, Suge from Lone Star Boxer Rescue

A few of the boxers that are currently available for adoption from the Lone Star website:

Ace would love you more than you can imagine.

Barbosa was named after a Brazilian basketball player!

Caspar has one brown eye, one blue eye, white and purple fur, and black spots!

For a minimum donation of $25 dollars you gain admittance along with a simple meal of soup, bread, and water. Afterward you get to choose a bowl to take home from one of hundreds that were created by Houston area artists. The empty bowls serve as a symbolic reminder of all the people doing without in our area – and the world at large.

Local artists will be on had demonstrating some of the many crafts represented along with various live music performances. Examples of some of the crafts represented are ceramists, woodturners and woodworkers, glass artists, fiber artists, mosaicists, clay artists, metalsmiths, painters and sculptors. The event takes place on Saturday, May 22nd from 11am to 4pm – and you can pre-order your tickets or buy them at the door.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main Street – Houston, Tx 77002 ph. 713.529.4848

Lemonade Day was devised by the organization called Prepared 4 Life “a non-profit that provides fun, proactive and experiential programs infused with life skills, character education, and entrepreneurship“. If you are out and about next Sunday and you see a stand, be sure and stop by and spend some money for a great cause!

Kicking off the event this weekend on Saturday, April 24th more than 50 local kids will be participating in a “Best Tasting Lemonade” contest at The Children’s Museum of Houston (1500 Binz) from 10am – 11:30am. Local celebrity judges along with group spokesperson retired Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell, will be judging the kids not only on the taste, but also creativity, and teamwork – all the while providing valuable peer mentoring.

You can also help support Lemonade Day and Prepared 4 Life by stopping off at Crave Cupcakes during the week of March 24- May 2nd. They’ll be donating a dollar to P4L for every one of their special edition lemon cupcakes sold.

If you are interested in adding a contribution to the schools Catholic Relief Services charity, you can add it right here.

Become a fan of Sister Jane’s Skydive on Facebook here!

If you are interesting in attempting a skydive for yourself..contact Skydive Houston here. Looks like crazy fun!