Many thanks to the Shoal Creek Conservancy, one of our 2016 nonprofit beneficiaries, for sharing their thoughts on why Give 5 Day is so important to our Austin community. The mission of the Shoal Creek Conservancy is to protect and preserve Shoal Creek and make Austin a more vibrant place to live, work and recreate in the process.

Written by SCC Executive Director Joanna Wolaver.

Why is your organization participating in 2016’s Give 5 campaign?

Give 5 is a true community collaboration. In the spirit of Austin, it brings together local businesses, nonprofit organizations and the broader community. It provides a unique opportunity for shoppers – and businesses – to give back to our community and directly support environmental causes in their own backyard. It also provides a unique opportunity for nonprofits to support local businesses through promotion of the partnership. By participating in this campaign, we hope to raise awareness of the opportunity for Austinites to engage with their community and give back while shopping and having fun.

 Why are initiatives like Give 5 so important to the Austin community?

Give 5 strengthens connections and fosters community with private local businesses, the general public and cause nonprofit organizations. It is through collaborative efforts such as Give 5 that we can keep Austin green, clean and healthy.

What are pressing challenges facing our natural environment in Central Texas? How do you think Give 5 and it’s partner orgs can play a role in addressing these challenges?

The most pressing challenges facing Central Texas today (and increasingly in the future) include:

• The weather extremes of flooding and drought as seen during the Memorial Day Floods of 2015 and the intense drought of 2010.
• The shortage of protected and publicly accessible open spaces and park areas for recreation and respite for both humans and wildlife in our rapidly growing urban area.

Give 5 can play an important role in raising broad public awareness of these issues with new audiences – and raising funds to support nonprofit organizations that directly address these challenges.