By Kim Hilsenbeck
About eight Hays County nonprofits are hoping to amp up their fundraising efforts next week by taking part in Amplify Austin. Now in its third year, Amplify Austin is a 24-hour giving day that allows registered charities and nonprofit organizations to be part of a massive awareness effort.
More than 500 organizations hope to receive funds from donors during the March 5-6 event.
In Buda, the Onion Creek Senior Center (OCSC) offers a meeting place for seniors to interact through games, arts and crafts, health-related education programs and social events such as dances. It appears to be the only nonprofit in Buda participating in Amplify Austin.
Volunteer Karla Sansbury said OCSC embraces what is called aging in place.
“We encourage seniors to be healthy, happy, productive and involved in life and the community,” she said.
OCSC also has an anonymous matching donor, which will boost its fundraising potential up to $25,000. Bonus prizes are also available through Amplify Austin. For example, the nonprofit with the most dollars raised during a six-hour period will receive a $5,000 bonus.
Community members are invited to join OCSC for a kick-off party on March 5, an open house and watching party throughout the day on March 6. Sansbury said food, drinks and music will all be part of the event.
Amplify Austin takes place from 6 p.m. March 5 to 6 p.m. March 6.
How to give
Amplify Austin takes place March 5-6.
Donors can select more than one nonprofit to give money.
Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
Suggested minimum donation = $25
Visit https://amplifyatx.ilivehereigivehere.org/nonprofits and search by name, county or organization type.
Hays County participating organizations:
Onion Creek Senior Center (Buda)
Service Dogs, Inc. (Dripping Springs)
PAWS Shelter of Central Texas (Kyle)
CASA of Central Texas (San Marcos)
Hays Caldwell Women’s Center (San Marcos)
Hays County Food Bank (San Marcos)
Friends of Blue Hole (Wimberley)
WAG (Wimberley)
Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (Wimberley)
