Nonprofit

From left, Keith Parker, JISD Communities in Schools site coordinator; Evelyn DeJesus, JISD social worker; Jane Medema, Purl Elementary School counselor; Gloria Casso, Family Support Specialist at Mary Bailey Head Start; Carl Illig, executive director of the W.D. Kelley Foundation; and Shannon Illig, operations manager of the W.D. Kelley Foundation, at the check presentation on August 17. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

From left, Keith Parker, JISD Communities in Schools site coordinator; Evelyn DeJesus, JISD social worker; Jane Medema, Purl Elementary School counselor; Gloria Casso, Family Support Specialist at Mary Bailey Head Start; Carl Illig, executive director of the W.D. Kelley Foundation; and Shannon Illig, operations manager of the W.D. Kelley Foundation, at the check presentation on August 17. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

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Uplift Wilco receives $100,000 from W.D. Kelley Foundation

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
As school starts back up, children in Georgetown and Jarrell ISDs will head to class showing off their newest clothes and shoes. Some of the outfits came together thanks to vouchers from Uplift Wilco’s Ready for School program, which allows students to show up dressed for success.
Faith and Action Staff poses at their appreciation lunch on July 20. Back row, from left, are Robin Stewart (Finance Administrative Assistant), Donna Hoffmann (Pathways Driver), Tracy Barber (Program Director), Sharon Boyd (Program Coordinator), Becky Lanclos (Assistant Program Director) and Trevor Hoyle (Fleet Manager). Front Row, from left, are Kristy Hoyle (Board Member), Marcie Merritt (Partnerships & Events Coordinator), Lisa Hoy (Executive Director) and Janna Elliott (Director of Business Operations)

Faith and Action Staff poses at their appreciation lunch on July 20. Back row, from left, are Robin Stewart (Finance Administrative Assistant), Donna Hoffmann (Pathways Driver), Tracy Barber (Program Director), Sharon Boyd (Program Coordinator), Becky Lanclos (Assistant Program Director) and Trevor Hoyle (Fleet Manager). Front Row, from left, are Kristy Hoyle (Board Member), Marcie Merritt (Partnerships & Events Coordinator), Lisa Hoy (Executive Director) and Janna Elliott (Director of Business Operations)

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Faith in Action marks 25 years of helping Georgetown seniors stay independent

Alyssa Perera
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
For 25 years, Faith in Action has helped Georgetown-area seniors maintain their independence by connecting them with volunteer drivers and essential services like health care, groceries and community.
Promotional art shows some of the subjects in the inspirational ROCK documentary.

Promotional art shows some of the subjects in the inspirational ROCK documentary.

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ROCK documentary now available on streaming

Nicholas Cicale
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
The documentary Where the Horses Heal the Soul — featuring the work of Georgetown-based nonprofit Ride On Center for Kids is now available on video-on-demand platforms like Apple TV and Prime Video across North America.

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The Caring Place expands hours for food pantry

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Starting on July 16, The Caring Place’s food pantry at 2000 Railroad Avenue will be open on Thursdays from 2-6 p.m. The new expanded hours are part of a pilot program aimed at improving food access, according to The Caring Place. The pantry was already open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
President Helen Laughlin with ambassador animal, Magnolia the opossum. Photos by Alyssa Perera

President Helen Laughlin with ambassador animal, Magnolia the opossum. Photos by Alyssa Perera

All Things Wild Rehabilitation Center facing surplus of rescues following thunderstorms

Alyssa Perera
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Thunderstorms and floods since May 19 have left the All Things Wild Rehabilitation center between Jarrell and Walburg overflowing with animals. The rescue took in 482 animals in about a two-week period. Those most affected are animals that live in the ground in dens or high up in trees.
Carol Pietroforte (left) plays BINGO with other seniors at a Faith in Action event. Last month, a Faith in Action driver saved Ms. Pierroforte in a medical emergency.

Carol Pietroforte (left) plays BINGO with other seniors at a Faith in Action event. Last month, a Faith in Action driver saved Ms. Pierroforte in a medical emergency.

More Than a Ride: Faith in Action volunteers rescue seniors during crisis

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
By MEDHA SARIN: Carol Pietroforte always waits outside her apartment complex to be picked up for her routine Faith in Action trip to the store. But when her driver, Trevor Hoyle, arrived one Wednesday in April, he said Ms. Pietroforte was nowhere to be seen.
Erin Jamieson is the regional community director of AGE of Central Texas.

Erin Jamieson is the regional community director of AGE of Central Texas.

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AGE of Central Texas expands reach in Georgetown

Linda Dwyer
Thursday, May 14, 2026
“Do not regret growing older; it is a privilege denied to many.”The Irish proverb evokes gratitude for a long life. AGE of Central Texas addresses the challenges associated with that privilege. Historically aging care has been a family obligation.
Penny the Opossum was crowned Ambassador of the Year via a popular vote over Red Poppy weekend.

Penny the Opossum was crowned Ambassador of the Year via a popular vote over Red Poppy weekend.

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Penny the Opossum wins popular vote at Poppy Fest, named All Things Wild Ambassador of the Year

Nicholas Cicale
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
The public has voted, and Penny — one of All Things Wild’s opossum residents – is the nonprofit’s Ambassador of the Year. Voting took place over the weekend at the Red Poppy Festival and online at All Things Wild’s website. Penny was the clear winner, earning more support than three other finalists.
Ron Watson, Executive Artistic Director at the Georgetown Palace, stands in the theatre’s seating area at the historic theater on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The theater, which turned 100 years-old in February, sustained severe damage during a winter storm on January 25th. The theater is closed while restoration work continues. The goal is to open a performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the Springer Stage on May 29th.

Ron Watson, Executive Artistic Director at the Georgetown Palace, stands in the theatre’s seating area at the historic theater on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The theater, which turned 100 years-old in February, sustained severe damage during a winter storm on January 25th. The theater is closed while restoration work continues. The goal is to open a performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the Springer Stage on May 29th.

The Palace needs $500,000 for repairs to bring it back 'like you've never seen'

Kaitlyn Wilkes and Photos By Andy Sharp
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
In what was supposed to be a year of celebrating 100 years of the Palace Theatre, mother nature had a different plan. The winter storm and low temperatures on January 24-26 damaged  The Palace Theatre on the Square, putting a damper on plans and closing the theatre for several months.
The Caring Place’s Hana Horick and Rita Turner pose in their super capes and with a can of green beans, representing the nonprofit’s food program. The Caring Place also provides rent, mortgage and utility assistance; clothing, housewares and furniture; laundry services; medical and transportation assistance; elder care; and case management help. Learn more at www.caringplacetx.org.

The Caring Place’s Hana Horick and Rita Turner pose in their super capes and with a can of green beans, representing the nonprofit’s food program. The Caring Place also provides rent, mortgage and utility assistance; clothing, housewares and furniture; laundry services; medical and transportation assistance; elder care; and case management help. Learn more at www.caringplacetx.org.

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Animal nonprofits prove popular for Amplify Wilco Day

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Monday, March 9, 2026
In the third year of Amplify Wilco Day from Austin nonprofit I Live Here I Give Here, $1.4 million was raised for the 103 participating nonprofits throughout the county. Williamson County nonprofits made up 14 percent of nonprofit participation this year, according to I Live Here I Give Here.
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