HAPL, through its members, is committed to serving the local community through its financial support and annual community service projects. Each year, under the guidance and direction of the HAPL Service Committee, our members have found many ways to support various non-profit charitable organizations in the community with our financial contributions and our many volunteer hours. A brief description of the non-profit charitable organizations and HAPL community service projects are listed below:
The Elizabeth Brand Memorial Award – Each year HAPL recognizes two outstanding teachers from the Houston Independent School District and the Spring Branch Independent School District. Each teacher receives $500 dollars and a beautiful plaque. HAPL presents these awards at the annual HAPL “Tribute to Education” luncheon and the Independent School Districts annual teacher recognition banquet.
Ronald McDonald House – Each year for the past several years, HAPL has hosted a night for the resident families by providing a BBQ dinner, entertainment, games and “goodie bags” loaded with all sorts of items for the children giving the families and the patients an opportunity to relax and enjoy life a little. This is currently HAPL’s most recognized annual service project.
Private Sector Initiatives (PSI Project) – This service project is comprised of volunteers who donate their Saturdays to paint, replace rotten wood and do other repairs on homes of the elderly or disabled on a low fixed income.
Star of Hope - Started in 1907 as a Christian, non-profit mission, Star of Hope has served thousands of homeless men, and women and children (the majority of which or either physically or emotionally abusive relationships). HAPL annually sponsors a gift drive at Christmas time as well as makes a cash donation.
M D Anderson Cancer Center Children’s Art Project – The children receiving cancer treatment at the Hospital prepare art work which is transferred onto Christmas cards, T-shirts, calendars, etc. From items sold, the funds provide a wide array of programs that help them deal with the hurdles of cancer. HAPL volunteers help prepare the sold orders and assists with the shipping to the purchasers.
Houston Food Bank – Each year around Valentine’s Day, HAPL sponsors a Food Bank drive soliciting canned goods and cash donations for this organization, which services Harris County and approximately 18 other surrounding counties. The Houston Food Bank opened its doors in 1982 and has distributed over 200 million pounds of food.
Downtown YMCA - As a means to promote the growth of communities through community partnerships, the Downtown YMCA provides scholarships to youth from low-income families, mainly from Houston’s Fourth Ward area.
The Children’s Fund – This organization provides seed money to new and growing charitable organizations that need that extra boost to get started. Each charity must deal with physical health, mental health or the education of children. They must also demonstrate financial responsibility and serve children in the Greater Houston Area.
Brookwood Community - This is a caring residential and work facility for adults with functional disabilities. Not only has HAPL supported Brookwood Community with financial contributions, HAPL through its volunteer members also planned a baseball game with hot dogs, games and a magician.
The Nehemiah Center - This a Christian based organization that offers academic, emotional, cultural, social and spiritual enrichment to the children and families in the MacGregor Elementary School area just outside Houston’s Third Ward.
Habitat for Humanity - This well known and widely supported organization builds homes for low income families allowing them the opportunity of home ownership with lower interest rates and financing.
Down Syndrome Association of Houston – This organization helps parents to cope with the care and nurturing of Down Syndrome children. In 2000, HAPL made its first donation to this organization. Our funds were used to translate their new parents guide into Spanish.
Hope Village – Hope Village is a residential facility, which provides a home for mentally retarded children and adults in the same setting. They currently have an 18-acre campus, which contains four homes and approximately fifty residents. They also provide respite care, before & after school programs and day care programs for non-residents. HAPL is happy to be sponsoring this organization for the first time in 2002 by making a cash donation to be utilized for new improvements to the grounds.