Describe the mission of Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana grants life-changing wishes for local children battling critical illnesses, serving 47 counties in Texas (from Lufkin to Corpus Christi) and the entire state of Louisiana. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey.
How do you view your role in Make-A-Wish? I truly believe I have the greatest job in the entire world! Every day, I see the strength and bravery of the wish kids we serve and the power their wishes have to transform not only their own lives, but those of entire communities. I work with the most hard-working and dedicated staff imaginable. It’s my responsibility to ensure that they have the foundational support to effectively do their jobs and fulfill our mission at a level of excellence. I’m here to work alongside our team and Board of Directors to guide our organization daily and propel our future with limitless possibilities.
What’s unique about your approach? We are building a team based on a sincere belief in having the best and most capable staff executing our mission and serving our wish families. A key component of fulfilling this vision each day is empowerment of my team to embody a service-focused culture of achievement. My motto is, “We always find a way to make a wish happen!” We’re here for the sole purpose of making magic happen for our wish kids — it’s that simple!
What factors motivated you to choose a career in non-profit leadership? Growing up, I was fortunate to have role models who constantly showed me what true community stewardship looks like. Studying Journalism at Mizzou, I felt a strong desire to bring stories to life. Then, I saw the need for people to actively contribute to making their community stronger. It is an ongoing, rewarding and humbling journey to work with a team who shares that mindset and to bring hope to those that need it.
What are the key lessons you’ve learned? By far, the most important lesson is that we must be 100 percent kid-focused with every decision we make. There is no higher priority than our wish kids. We must act with honesty, integrity and compassion. The commitment to serve is one not to be made lightly, and we hold ourselves to standards higher than those set by anyone outside Make-A-Wish.
What’s most exciting about the future of Make-A-Wish? This summer we will grant the 10,000th wish to a local kid since our organization’s inception in 1984. This represents a very special and key milestone as Make-A-Wish is building toward our impact goal to double the number of local wishes granted annually by 2025. Get involved at http://wish.org/texgulf
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Olympics Specials, Trill Burger's Latest Collab, 'Volcano' Ramen, and More of This Week's Food News!
Jul. 31, 2024
LET THE GAMES begin! Houston restaurants are celebrating the Olympics, White Linen Night, back-to-school season and more. What summer slowdown?!
Kazzan Ramen & Bar
Beef Sukiyaki Kazzan-style ramen (photo by Traci Ling)
Originating in Osaka, Japan, this fun concept-dining hot-spot is now open in the Heights, marking only its second location in America. Its signature dish is known as "volcano ramen," as it's served in a 350-degrees-hot stone bowl; the broth is poured tableside into the bowl from a cylindrical top, causing the steam to rise in a dramatic fashion. Guests can choose their ramen flavor and toppings, and also select other traditional Japanese dishes like gyoza, Kushikatsu skewers and more. Don't forget Kakigōri — Japanese snow cones — for dessert!
EZ's Liquor Lounge
White Linen Night returns on Friday, Aug. 3, and EZ's Liquor Lounge is ready! There will be live music courtesy of Western Jelly from 7-10pm, and a menu of items from The Original Ninfa's to supplement EZ's delicious hot dogs and chili pies.
Trill Burgers
(photo by Dominique Hill)
The collabs keep comin': The latest to hop on the Trill Burgers bandwagon is Levi's, the iconic apparel brand with a storefront in the Galleria. The two businesses will cross-promote each other this week, as Levi's pops up inside the burger joint's brick-and-mortar on Shepherd with special black-and-yellow merch, and also offers restaurant gift cards to customers who spend $100 at its Galleria store. Meanwhile, Trill Burgers is serving a limited-edition Western-style OG Trill Burger topped with homemade chili; make it a combo and get a Levi's-Trill-Burgers t-shirt. Snag a 30 percent discount card for Levi's!
a'Bouzy
Through Aug. 11, toast the Olympics in true Parisian style! Each day at 5pm, the restaurant will pop a bottle of Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte for each U.S. medalist who wins. Keep the celebrations going with a delicious oyster deal: six fresh oysters paired with a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut for $20.
Hungry's
Hungry's kids menu (photo by Jenn Duncan)
Make back-to-school easier on everyone: Kids eat free every Monday at this family-fave establishment with locations in Rice Village and Memorial — not to mention a much-anticipated new one opening on Woodway soon!
Heights & Co.
Mark your calendars for Aug. 10, National S'mores Day, and hit Heights & Co. for the ultimate s'mores board. Toppings include rice krisipies, cornflake candy, frozen fruit and chocolate ganache, and each order comes with a tableside fire pit (so you don't get too toasty yourself!). Wash it all down with an espresso martini for just $5.
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BEGINNING AUG. 1 THROUGH Aug. 10, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, the professional arm of the University of Houston’s School of Theater and Dance, takes the stage at Miller Outdoor Theatre for its 50th iteration. The milestone event includes productions of Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, plus "Bard talks," all at no cost to viewers.
"The excitement for our 50th anniversary season pulses through our shops and rehearsal studios where nationally-acclaimed artists, including some UH alumni, and current students create imaginative and passionate productions of two of the world’s most beloved plays,” said Jack Young, HSF artistic director and acting professor at UH’s School of Theater & Dance, in a statement.
The classic lineup is the perfect way to celebrate 50 years of the Houston Shakespeare Festival, which has entertained more than 1 million Houstonians since Sidney Berger launched it in 1975. While the longtime director of the UH School of Theater and Dance passed away in 2013, his legacy lives on each summer. The festival is a professional equity company that incorporates a select group of UH students to bring its productions to completion.
The show schedule alternates A Midsummer Night's Dream (Aug. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) and Romeo & Juliet (Aug. 2, 6, 8, 10), with a pre-performance Bard Talk at 7:45pm and a curtain time of 8:15pm. All shows are free to attend, but a complimentary ticket is required to enjoy the covered seating. Ticket information is found here.
Romeo & Juliet
Titiana in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Costume sketches for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
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