CG&S Design-Build owner Dolores Davis speaks with Mattie Freeman as her construction company assesses remodel possibilities in Freeman’s home in East Austin on Dec. 16. The firm is planning a remodel this year to make the home more accessible to Freeman, who is blind.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Season for Caring agencies are working hard to create a better future for the 12 featured families in the 2025-2026 program, and hundreds of other clients they serve.
The Statesman’s largest charity program has raised $1,535,658 in monetary donations and $209,569 in in-kind donations, for a total of $1,745,227. It’s the second-best year for the Statesman program, and only $14,000 away from being the best year. The program has raised almost $23.4 million for local nonprofits since 1999.
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Season for Caring funds are used to help the featured families first and then to help hundreds of other clients throughout the year with basic needs such as rent, transportation, groceries, medical care and utilities.
Last week, the agencies received a second grant, of $55,000 each. The first grant of $15,000 each went out in mid-December. The final grants will be given in mid-February.
The biggest need for most of the featured families continues to be transportation, either through a gently used car or car repairs.
Donations for this season’s featured families and nonprofits continue through Jan. 31. Austin Community Foundation, which holds the Season for Caring funds, will credit anything received after Jan. 31 to the 28th Season for Caring, which will launch in November.
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The more money raised by Season for Caring, the more good is spread throughout the community all year long by the nonprofits, which have been particularly hard hit recently by diminished federal funding.
Martiza Carbajal hugs her family after entering the Cattle Baron Suite, where they spent the night as guests on Dec. 5. The family has a new apartment they are in the process of moving into.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Here are some of the ways donations have helped already:
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Adriana and Isiah Alaniz, who have a 1-year-oldson, Elijah, with a rare genetic disorder, and daughter Aubrey, 4, who has autism, have received many things on their wish list, including adaptable seating for Elijah. Isiah would like to sign up for the Austin marathon registration, and the family would like respite care to be able to go out on a date, as well as summer camp classes for Aubrey, and help paying downtheir medical debt. Any Baby Can, 512-454-3743, anybabycan.org.
The Babrakzai family from Afghanistan had many things on their wish list taken care of by Grisham Middle School. They still need English language tutoring for mom Fahima, driving lessons for Fahima and oldest son Ikramullah, tuition for father Raees Khan to get a higher degree, and gift cards to gas stations to help the family drive to San Antonio for medical care for 5-year-old Madina, who was badly burned a year ago. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org.
Madina Babrakzai, 5, unwraps her Barbie doll house after students from Grisham Middle School delivered gifts to the Babrakzai family on Dec. 23.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Maritza Carbajal and her five children have a new apartment after living in one that had rats and other pests. Carbajal, 43, who worksin the cafeterias at two Austin schools, still needs car repairs or a reliable car. Communities In Schools of Central Texas, 512-462-1771, ciscentraltexas.org .
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Anitra Coulter Blunt, 51, a Cedar Park musician, will soon have her home rebuilt by volunteers from Strong: The Men’s Mental Health Initiative. They need gift cards to building supply stores or donated supplies to fix the damage caused by the July flooding. In addition, Coulter Blunt needs a gently used car after hers was destroyed in a hit-and-run wreck. Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, 512-541-4226, myhaam.org
Christina Hobbs talks with River Reimers as Season For Caring recipients get free dental work from the Capital Area Dental Foundation on Dec. 20. River and his grandmother Julie Freeman would like more secure housing this year.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Julie Freeman, 60, a grandmother who is raising her five grandchildren and has breast cancer and emphysema, needs help with more secure housing, a second car and a remote job. Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-240-2560, bcrc.org.
Mattie Freeman, 78, who is blind, will have her home remodeled to be more accessible by CG&S Design-Build. The nonprofit Austin Lighthouse for the Blind also has offered to help Freeman receive training to be more independent. She still has some blankets and dominoes for the blind on her wish list. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org.
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Amy Lopez, who had been homeless with her four children, is now in an even better apartment with the help of Season for Caring funds. On her list are IDEA school uniforms for her daughters, household items and counseling. Foundation for the Homeless. 512-453-6570, foundationhomeless.org.
Jennifer Maldonado, who lost her husband to cancer in September, continues to need to postpone her treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She recently broke her wrist on the improvised ramp outside her Bastrop home, and needed surgery and physical therapy. She still has many items on her list, including a new ramp, new floors in the house, a new heating and air condition system, resurfacing the driveway, an electric gate and car repairs. Hospice Austin, 512-342-4700, hospiceaustin.org.
Kimberly Ysla and Charlie Medina are trying to recover financially from the more than two years he was off work because of a back injury. They will receive financial counseling through University Federal Credit Union at the end of the month. They need a vehicle that can fit their family of seven and hope to one day own a home. Foundation Communities, 512-447-2026, foundcom.org.
Janie Farias gets a check up for her dogs, Bambie and Lizzie, from veterinarian Brent Rains at Firehouse Animal Health Center on Dec. 19. Farias received a motorized scooter, but still needs a wheelchair accessible van.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Sylvia Reyna, 68, and Janie Farias, 71, from San Marcos received a motorized scooter to help Farias, who lost her right leg after a failed knee replacement. They also received many household items on their wish list. Their biggest need is a gently used van with a wheelchair lift. Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, 512-392-1161, communityaction.com.
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Gloria Villeda, 72, is raising her grandson Sebastian, 11, While they had many items donated to them for Christmas, she needs car repairs or a gently used car to get around town. SAFE Alliance, 512-356-1563, safeaustin.org
Charles David Wicks, 66, who had been homeless after having foot injuries while working at the airport, now has an electric scooter. His agency is working to get him into a more accessible apartment at his complex. Also on his list is a grabber and an adjustable shower head. Family Eldercare 512-450-0844, familyeldercare.org.
Charles David Wicks tries on a polo shirt donated by the Statesman Season for Caring program on Dec. 23. He now wears his new clothing with pride when he comes to Family Eldercare weekly.
Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman
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Statesman Season for Caring logo
American-Statesman
About Season for Caring
The Statesman is sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families through Jan. 31. Find more stories at statesman.com/seasonforcaring.
You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 2B and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to “Statesman Season for Caring.”
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Use the form below or click here:https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring