ATX Good News

10/11/2025

While Longhorn fans are focused on the Red River Rivalry today, earlier this week U.T. student safety took center stage. At National Night Out, sponsored by the nonprofit SafeHorns, Longhorns not only learned vital safety tips, they made meaningful connections with neighbors and first responders. Students were also able to tap into valuable resources like mental health support.
Thank you SafeHorns!

10/09/2025

We are thrilled the Washington Post covered our story about October's Child in Austin! The nonprofit's founder, Christophe Waggoner, repairs and refurbishes Halloween costumes and decor all year long and gives them away for free. We first met Christophe last year, and his effort to put smiles on more faces keeps growing.

ATX Good News is certainly worth sharing with the nation and the world! Congrats Christophe and all of your volunteers!

Christophe Waggoner hosts a yearly event for kids — plus adults and dogs — to pick out free Halloween costumes he gathers and mends.

10/07/2025

They may have tiny hands but they have big hearts!
The students at local Primrose Schools are spreading preschool-powered joy. Through a partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Central Texas the little ones have decorated and delivered more than 600 cards to Central Texas children facing serious health challenges and their families. Thanks to their colorful, heartfelt cards...the Ronald McDonald House Happy Wheels cart is well-stocked.

10/07/2025

HAPPY NATIONAL TACO DAY from ATX Good News! One of us is a tiny bit taco-obsessed. Proof in the "About" section of https://www.atxgoodnews.com/

Judy Maggio's Perfect Day in Austin:
Tacos for breakfast
A walk around Lady Bird Lake
Tacos for lunch
A swim in Barton Springs
Tacos for dinner
Live music at the Saxon Pub or the Continental Club

09/30/2025

If you have a heart for helping others - but don't always have the time to volunteer - here's a wonderful way to give back to Central Texas nonprofits. Impact Austin is a collective giving group of women that's been around for 22 years. Today the group announced a major change in its membership model, making it accessible to more women!
On ATX Good News, Judy and Leslie talk with Impact Austin's Board Chair, Claudia Barlow, about why the change means the group can make an even bigger impact in our community.

09/29/2025

It's National Childhood Cancer Awareness month and ATX Good News celebrates volunteer Christen Killebrew, AKA Mermaid Pearl. This scuba instructor has donated countless hours of her time, talent and treasure to bring joy to children battling cancer. Christen volunteers with The Brooklynn Miller Foundation , a Central Texas nonprofit creating lasting memories and providing heartfelt gifts to lift the spirits of those facing childhood cancer. Brooklyn Miller was only 12 when she lost her life to cancer. She asked her mom to to start a foundation in her name dedicated to spreading happiness and supporting other children with cancer.

( This story came to us through our storytelling partnership with I Live Here I Give Here)

09/27/2025

October's Child 2025 was a great success!
We introduced you to the founder, Christophe Waggoner, here at ATX Good News. He collects Halloween costumes and decor all year long, creates some new costumes with what he finds, and gives them all away to the community -- for free!

If you got a costume from the free event, he hopes you'll send him photos of the Halloween fun. There's an email on the website: https://octoberschild.com/

09/26/2025

Providing meaningful work for disabled Texans is certainly good news.This week, I (Judy Maggio) had the joy & honor to share the stage with dozens of Texans with disabilities who've found jobs, new purpose and brighter futures thanks to a longtime partnership between the nonprofit Workquest and the Texas Workforce Commission. Congratulations to all of the nominees and the winner of the 2025 Artie Lee Hinds Award - Christopher Gates of Goodwill Industries. This award goes to a disabled Texan who has shown commitment to excellence, leadership and perseverance!

09/23/2025

Former U.T. star athletes recently teed up to teach and inspire Central Texas young people. C**t McCoy, Jamaal Charles and Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam were among the legends who hit the links with 100 local children to share life lessons along with golf tips. Bank of America's Golf with Us program put on the free clinic for children from several local nonprofits including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area and African American Youth Harvest Foundation.

09/20/2025

On today's ATX Good News, Judy & Leslie talk with beloved Austin business owner & philanthropist Bobby Jenkins who recently completed a cross-continent bike ride! He pedaled for 5,500 miles with his brother to raise $ for research into Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) and the family foundation he started to honor his first grandson. https://mosspierattfoundation.org/
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09/18/2025

ATX Good News was thrilled to play a role in today’s Austin Chamber of Commerce Austin Gives Awards honoring local businesses that donate their time, treasure and talent to Central Texas nonprofits. What an honor for us to interview Nyle Maxwell, the 2025 Philanthropist of the Year. Congratulations to all of the winners!

09/17/2025

An Austin man has made it his mission to make sure every child has a Halloween costume -- at no cost!

Meet Christophe Waggoner, who founded the nonprofit October's Child, and gives away hundreds of people and pet costumes every year (oh, and decorations too!).
https://octoberschild.com/