A few weeks ago, I sat in a chilly, outdoor amphitheater in the Texas Hill Country with my awesome friend Lauren, listening to a few of our favorite Texas singer songwriters–Cory Morrow, Jack Ingram and Pat Green–play music and swap stories.

While Rock the Red Kettle was a fun moms’ night out for us, the benefit concert served a much bigger purpose, raising crucial funds and opening many eyes to the ways in which The Salvation Army of Austin is serving my hometown’s homeless population:

The Salvation Army is the safety net that this vulnerable population relies on for basic survival services and we need your help to serve them. Our reach is vast, but the need is greater – 74 percent of The Salvation Army’s clients sheltered in Austin last year were women and children. They are the fastest growing segment of Austin’s homeless population. This is a crisis for our prosperous community.

That cold night, I knew that our final Texas Strong shirts fundraiser for 2015 would benefit the Invisible Austin campaign, helping The Salvation Army care for Austin’s homeless women and children.

Texas Strong fundraiser for Invisible Austin

I know I’ve probably said this before but this really is my favorite fundraising project thus far. If we are going to serve others, if we are going to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we need to start right here, with the most vulnerable in our own community.

All proceeds from our special edition, silver foil, snowflake #texasstrong tees, hoodies and sweatshirts benefit The Salvation Army of Austin’s Invisible Austin capital campaign to build a new women and children’s shelter:

For 125 years The Salvation Army has been the silent, steady partner meeting the needs of a seemingly invisible population. In the shadow of skyscrapers, new condominiums and Austin’s dazzling economic success, stand hundreds of women and children, shut out of the progress and prosperity that has become synonymous with our city.

With its current facility constantly over capacity, and a waitlist of more than 400, The Salvation Army plans to build a new shelter to assist a growing Austin homeless population of primarily single women and kids.

Will you help us raise necessary funds and, even more critical, awareness for the homeless families who are Invisible Austin this holiday season?

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. – Proverbs 21:13 ESV

Please make a donation, order a shirt and/or share this post on social media today. All Teespring orders must be received by Dec. 15 for guaranteed Christmas delivery!

Love,

Lauren