Ron Peters, the Executive Director of Katy Responds talks with us about the various disasters they have provided recovery assistance for in this Episode of Meet Houston Missions. Katy Responds is a nonprofit organization that restores homes destroyed or damaged by disaster by seeking funding, and then coordinating the work with local volunteers and staff. They serve homeowners primarily in the greater Katy ISD area.

Katy Responds

brought widespread flooding to the Katy, Texas area. Homeowners living in places that were not considered “in the flood plain” found themselves completely underwater as excessive amounts of water breached flood control dams and bayous. The extensive flooding from the storm left thousands of people with severely damaged homes that were not covered for hurricane, wind, and/or flood damage. As a result, a number of people were left without the means to repair the damage. Katy Responds was formed shortly after Hurricane Harvey to help to identify and obtain funding through grants and private donors that can be used to repair Katy Area homes after disaster strikes. When a family in need is referred to Katy Responds after a disaster, the organization seeks and obtains the funding and then seeks to engage volunteers from area churches and private volunteers to do the labor required to bring the home back to a livable condition.

Volunteer Opportunities

Katy Responds needs volunteers as well as financial support in order to succeed in its mission to help its neighbors in the Katy Area. If you would like to be a part of Katy Responds or to donate, please visit KatyResponds.org. Individuals, church groups, organizations, and groups from private businesses are encouraged to sign up on the website to participate individually or as a part of a larger group.

Contact Information:

Katy Responds
KatyResponds.org
22765 Westheimer Pkwy.
Katy, TX. 77450
281-305-8545

Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast are brought to you by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Host Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner.

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions, we meet Mark Martin, the Vice President of Community Engagement for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star--an organization that aims to build relationships between mentors adults, and children in grades K through 12 that will empower the little brothers and sisters to reach their full potential in life. They do this by screening and training big brothers and sisters, matching them with little brothers and sisters with similar interests and/or goals, and placing them in one of three mentor programs that best suits their needs.

History

Big Brothers Big Sisters was founded in 1904 by a court clerk who saw kids in the criminal system and decided there had to be a way to give them a positive influence to show them a better way. The organization grew beyond kids in the legal system to kids all over the United States with a need for mentoring in their lives. In 1977, A merger with Big Sisters led to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America that continues today and has local divisions across the United States.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star – Greater Houston

Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star – Greater Houston came to Houston in the 1950s and has helped thousands of mentors and youth pair up. The mentors provide a safe outlet for conversation, guidance, and friendship that for many last a lifetime.

Opportunities to Get Involved

There are several fundraising events and volunteering opportunities for individuals and businesses to get involved. You can learn the full details of these events by visiting the website and selecting “Events” from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. Each of these events has sponsorship opportunities, fundraising opportunities, and the opportunity to participate either individually or as a sponsor team. These include:

• Swing for the Kids Sake—An annual golf tournament to raise funds and awareness for Big Brother and Big Sisters Lone Star.
• Bowl for Kids Sake – A team bowling tournament where your private or corporate team raises funds and participates in a bowling tournament.
• Pickleball for Kids – For those into Pickleball, this is a great opportunity to build your team and compete at the extravagant Houstonian Club.
• Corn Hole for Kids – Another creative and fun fundraiser team opportunity.

Each of the above events allows people to form teams and raise money through donations and sponsorships of at least $1,000.00. Those teams then meet and compete for a great time and a great cause.

The Annual Gala

If you prefer to get dressed to the nines and celebrate as a way of raising support and awareness, An Evening for Potential is the event for you. This annual Gala and afterparty is a great opportunity to get dressed up for a fancy dinner and a great cause.

Event Space Rental

As a unique way of raising funds, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star-Greater Houston also offers the use of its event space. Boasting a comfortable 250-person seating space or 300 standing, this space is perfect for weddings, lectures, ceremonies, reunions, anniversaries, and other events. A full kitchen for catering and a balcony overlooking downtown Houston make this space perfect for any nice occasion.

Contact:

To learn more call 713-860-8226 or visit:
https://bbbstx.org/greater-houston/.

Mark Martin
Vice President of Community Engagement
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star - Greater Houston
1003 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX. 77002
Email: Mmartin @bbbstx.org

The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C.

In this episode, Paul Talks to Amanda L. Payne, the Developmental Director for Walk MS. Walk MS is one of the two main fundraising organizations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The second one is the Texas MS150. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., has been privileged to be a part of Walk MS Houston and the Texas MS 150 in several capacities from entering teams, sponsoring teams, and sponsoring tents and booths at the events.

The National MS Society

The National MS Society was born from a sister’s love in 1946 after Sylvia Lawry, whose brother Bernard suffered from MS, identified a desperate need for an organized effort to “encourage and finance research into the cause, treatment, and cure of multiple sclerosis.” Today, the National MS Society has funded more breakthroughs in the treatment and understanding of MS than has been accomplished in any other neurological disease.

The website also provides a connection for people living with MS to the resources and tools needed to live their best lives. You can research doctors who treat MS as well as publications that provide valuable information on identifying, treating, and coping with MS.

Walk MS Houston and Walk MS The Woodlands

The Walk MS events are localized fundraiser walks to raise money for research and to raise awareness of MS. Volunteers to help with the walk are always welcome. Teams are needed to sign up to participate in the walk. Corporate sponsors are also needed to sponsor everything from individual tents and stations up to the entire event. Sponsorship levels range from $2,000-$25,000. There is a Walk MS Houston and a Walk MS The Woodlands that take place around the greater Houston area which occurs in March.

Texas MS 150

The Texas MS 150 is a bike ride that is an annual event that starts in Austin and goes to a campsite in La Grange for the biggest Bike Ride Party event in the United States. The Ride continues the next day to the finish line in College Station. (Riders may also choose to ride directly to La Grange from their homes.) Volunteers to assist at the water and food tents and other stations are needed as well as corporate sponsors.

Contact Information

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society can be contacted at the following:

1050 N. Post Oak Rd. Ste. 240
Houston, TX 77055
1-800-344-4867

www.nationalMSsociety.org