Feel Good Friday - TEXSAR (Texas Search and Rescue)

The Mister Rogers quote, “always look for the helpers” is what has inspired today’s post. In response to the recent flooding in Texas, I went on a search for the helpers and found TEXSAR.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Austin, Texas Search and Rescue, known as TEXSAR, is one of the largest non-paid search and rescue organizations in the State. Their mission is “to serve our communities and our state by providing requesting agencies with a highly trained, autonomous search and rescue team.”

What began with six volunteers over 20 years ago has now grown into an organization with multiple divisions across the state that deploy hundreds of volunteers into all 254 counties in Texas. See what that looks like in this short video.

The 380 volunteers with TEXSAR include wilderness search and rescue technicians, flood and switftwater technicians, K9 handlers, medical professionals and pilots. The teams deploy when they are requested by the Governor of Texas; state, local and federal agencies; local law enforcement; and relief organizations such as the American Red Cross. TEXSAR has their own equipment and incident management team. They have already deployed crews, boats and K9s to Kerr County to assist with search and rescue operations there.

TEXSAR also has a community support team that helps with disaster preparation and education as well as providing resources following a crisis or disaster. As part of the celebrations of their 20th anniversary, TEXSAR is posting stories highlighting volunteers who are “Texans helping Texans”. You can read them at this link: 20 years, 20 stories.

If you live in Texas and want to support TEXSAR, you can attend their fundraising Search Party in September or become a volunteer. Search and rescue training is provided. The rest of us can shop for merch, make a donation and amplify their work on social media by following TEXSAR on Facebook or LinkedIn and subscribing to their YouTube channel.

 

Feel Good Friday - National Archives Foundation

Happy 4th of July! Once you finish celebrating Independence Day with a parade or a barbecue, take a moment to learn about today’s Feel Good Friday organization, the National Archives Foundation.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Washington, DC, naturally, the National Archives Foundation is “an independent nonprofit that increases awareness of the National Archives’ mission to preserve, protect, and share America’s stories.” 

The purpose of the Foundation is to support the Archivist of the United States in developing programs, technology, projects, and materials that “educate, enrich, and inspire a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage through the collected evidence of its history.”

Historic documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are housed in the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. There are also regional archives, records centers, and Presidential libraries and museums where you can view pieces of our history. Even a virtual visit to the regional archives is pretty interesting. The National Archives at San Francisco has historic military records, genealogical resources, and a list of former Alcatraz inmates.

Online you’ll find educational resources for students and teachers in a program called Civics for All of US. The goal of this initiative is to promote civic literacy and engagement. You can also explore the Women’s History programming or take a look at America’s 100 docs. The Foundation is inviting people to vote on which documents they feel are most important to US history. The top 16 records will go head-to-head before the United States’ anniversary in 2026! This gallery shows all 100 documents in the competition. 19th Amendment anyone?

Finally, for those of you who like to plan, the Foundation already has events on the calendar to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary next year. Learn more at America 250.

If this post got you feeling all patriotic and you want to know how you can help the Foundation, here’s how. Make a donation, or shop to support National Archives exhibits, public programs, and educational initiatives. You can buy copies of historic documents, books, games and socks! 

 

As always, help spread the word on social media. Follow the National Archives Foundation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to their YouTube channel. Happy 4th!

Feel Good Friday - Gay For Good

Wrapping up our LGBTQ+ Pride Month series with the story of a group that puts the good in Gay for Good. 

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Long Beach, California, the mission of Gay for Good (G4G) is to mobilize “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and ally volunteers to promote diversity, foster inclusion and strengthen ties to the broader community.”

G4G’s values are in service of that mission. They include building community, creating visibility for LGBTQ+ people, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, advancing sustainability and reducing their environmental impact, all while having fun! 

There are 21 chapters around the country from Arkansas to Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington D.C. These local chapters identify and connect with nonprofits that support the environment, animal welfare, and people in need in their communities. G4G then assists the selected organizations by mobilizing volunteers who donate their time, and by helping to amplify the missions of these organizations within their vast network of LGBTQ+ volunteers and allies.

The volunteer opportunities are wide ranging. The Phoenix chapter is creating posters and signs for Make-A-Wish Arizona, the Denver chapter is helping Project Angel Heart Kitchen to scoop, wrap, and seal breakfast meals, and the San Francisco chapter is running a beverage booth at SF Pride. You can visit this events page to see volunteer opportunities around the country. Or find your local chapter on main site.

Since they began, Gay For Good has organized 2,845 service projects for 962 nonprofits, and volunteers have donated time valued at $3.7 million.

In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, all are welcome to join a project. If this sounds like a fun way to spend your time, you can sign up for the mailing list to be notified of volunteer opportunities. Other ways to support G4G include making a donation, shopping for merch, rounding up your purchases at Walmart, or linking your Ralph’s card so a percentage from your purchase is donated to G4G. You can also amplify their work on social media by following Gay For Good on Instagram and LinkedIn. Happy Pride!