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Austin Sports and Social Club raises money for Sunshine Camps

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:59:04 +0000

Austin Sunshine Camps would like to thank the Austin Sports and Social Club for their generous donation! Austin SSC held a 10K "Adventure Race" which bennefited our camps. For more information about the race and how to participate next year, click here. For more information about how to host an event benefiting Austin Sunshine Camps, email Michelle Porst.

ASC Program Director Honored for Years of Service

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:53:11 +0000

On October 22, our program director Margaret Marucci will be honored with a Champions for Children award from Helping Hand Home for being one of the "best and brightest" in her field! We are extremely proud of Margaret and honored to have her guiding our camp program. Ask anyone, young or old around Austin and they’ll tell you who Margaret Marucci is. She began her life’s work 22 years ago as a part-time employee for Austin Sunshine Camps. Austin Sunshine Camps is non-profit organization dedicated to providing high potential, low-income youth a chance for a better life. Margaret infused so much passion in her every day that she quickly rose to a management position. She is a woman who has dedicated her life to helping the children of others for the past 22 years and she has never asked for anything in return. In fact, we could have lost her to ovarian cancer a few years ago but she fought back. Fought so hard during stage four of her illness she continued to advocate. This means, she continued to work way more than any of us wanted. She continued to work because she truly loves these kids and believes each star has its right to shine and every kid has the capacity to succeed. She serves as an example to those living with alcohol/drug/physical abuse, poverty and disease that yes, you can do it and I’ll help show you how. Living by example is powerful when you’re working with kids. When asked why she does what she does her answer is simple, “It’s about the relationships and helping kids figure out their direction. When you work with kids you get to be a kid again. I learn so much from them and they always keep things interesting.” She is our hero and our rock. She is their champion, surrogate mother and ray of sunshine. Margaret is a warrior of special strength, helping to unveil the hero that resides in all of our campers. She is the heart and soul of the camps and we would not know what to do without her.

AU40 Awards

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:05:24 +0000

The 11th annual Austin Under 40 Awards... The 11th annual Austin Under 40 Awards was celebrated at the Austin Music Hall on February 27th and was sold out with over 680 people in attendance. The event was highlighted by an honorary award given to Margaret Marucci, Program Director for the Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps and the crowning of the 2009 Austinite of the Year, Carolyn Schwarz, Executive Director of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. The night was capped off with a raucous after party at the Belmont, where patrons celebrated another fabulous tribute to the young professionals of Austin. In total the event raised over $65,000 for both the Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps and Young Women’s Alliance Foundation. Thank you to all of our Sponsors, Donors and Volunteers for help making this event a success. We are proud to annouce our 2009 Austin Under 40 Award Winners: 2009 Austinite of the Year, presented by Employer Solutions Group - Carolyn Schwarz Arts & Entertainment, presented by HeyCupcake! - Carolyn Schwarz Business & Entrepreneurship, presented by Action MBA in Entrepreneurship - Kyle Parks Community Service, presented by Frost Bank - Brandi Clark Financial Services, presented by Padgett, Stratemann& Co., L.L.P. - Trey Halbert Government & Public Affairs, presented by Texas Classroom Teachers Association - Mike Martinez Legal, presented by Choice Asset Management - Jay Ellwanger Medical & Healthcare, presented by St. David's Community Health Foundation - Chad Dieterichs, M.D. Real Estate, presented by Fasken Oil & Ranch, Ltd. - Scott Flack Technology & Sciences, presented by ID Theft Solutions of America - Brett Hurt Youth & Education, presented by HigherOut - Julie Shannan 2009 Honorary Community Impact Award - Margaret Marucci (*new award established this year) For photos of AU40 please visit... http://rebeccafondren.smugmug.com

Round Rock Unveils 2009 Express Winter Banquet Awards

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:44:21 +0000

ROUND ROCK - The Round Rock Express and News 8 Austin will welcome veteran Major League outfielder and general manager Tom Grieve to The Dell Diamond on Thursday, February 12 as the keynote speaker for the 9th Annual Express Winter Baseball Banquet. The banquet benefits the Young Men's Business League's Sunshine Camps and recognizes professional, collegiate and high school players from around the Central Texas area. Honorees are selected through polling of area coaches, input from the Round Rock Express and voting from area sports reporters. This year's banquet will recognize the 2009 Express Pre-Season Central Texas High School All-Star Team, the Collegiate Pitcher and Player of the Year, the Express Pitcher and Player of the Year, the Professional Player of the Year, the James Keller Award recipient and the Jackie Moore Lifetime Achievement Award winner. In addition, this year's award ceremony will also include the 2009 Central Texas High School Impact Player of the Year award honoring a player who has made an impact in his school or community through leadership, service and academic dedication. A limited number of tickets are available for $75 by downloading the order form or by contacting Express Director of Special Events Laura Fragoso at (512) 238-2210. For complete information on the Express Winter Baseball Banquet, click here. Former Texas Rangers general manager Tom Grieve, who spent nine seasons in the Major Leagues as a player before moving into the front office, will serve the banquet's main address. Grieve's keynote speech, along with the concurring dinner, will help benefit the Young Men's Business League of Austin. Founded more than 95 years ago, the YMBL has provided camp retreats for children since 1928. The mission of the Austin YMBL's Sunshine Camps is to provide deserving children of Austin, and of the surrounding areas, with programs that provide them opportunities for personal development, necessary skills in order to succeed in school as well as in life, and the hope for a better future. 2009 Express Winter Banquet Award Winners: 2009 Express Pre-Season Central Texas High School All-Star Team RHP:Nathan Thornhill; Cedar Park High School LHP: David Ramirez; Bowie High School C: Nick de Santiago, Hays High School and Josh Elander, Round Rock High School (co-catchers) 1B: Mike Rains, Stony Point High School 2B: Nick Belisle, St. Andrews Episcopal School 3B: Parker French, Dripping Springs High School SS: Eric Garcia, Hendrickson High School OF: Jason Stone, Georgetown High School OF: Cohl Walla, Lake Travis High School OF: Everett Williams, McCallum High School UT: Saraj Manikundalam, Round Rock High School 2009 Express Impact Player of the Year: Nyk McKissic, Stony Point High School 2009 Express Central Texas Collegiate Awards; Collegiate Player of the Year: Michael Torres, University of Texas Collegiate Pitcher of the Year: Chance Ruffin, University of Texas 2009 Express Organizational Awards; Express Player of the Year: Mark Saccomanno; Express Pitcher of the Year: Josh Muecke 2009 Express Professional Player of the Year; John Danks, Chicago White Sox James Keller Award, presented by Men's Senior Baseball: Linda Lowery Jackie Moore Lifetime Achievement Award: Al LaMacchia

Safeco Insurance Foundation Announces Margaret Marucci as a Community Hero

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:33:53 +0000

Each year, Safeco recognizes outstanding citizens who are committed to making a difference in thier community! The Community Hero Award allows Safeco agents the chance to nominate individuals from across the country that demonstrate a tireless commitment to strengthening and enriching their community. Each "hero" is presented with a $15,000 check for the non-profit organization at which they work or volunteer. In total, this program contributes $500,000 to various organizations nationwide. Benjamin Cromwell of Watkins Insurance Group, the largest full-service, locally owned independent insurance agency in Austin nominated Ms. Margaret Marucci for the award and Benjamin presented her with the check on December 10, 2008 at our YMBL luncheon. Margaret began her life's work with Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps 22 years ago and continues to be the driving force behind our innovative programs as Program Director. When you ask Margaret why she does what she does her answer is simple, "It's about the relationships and helping kids figure out their direction. When you work with kids you get to be a kid again. I learn so much from them and they always keep things interesting."

CSF Celebrates it's 60th with ASC

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:27:49 +0000

Conference of Southwest Foundations celebrates it's 60th anniversary conference with playground donation to Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps. The Conference of Southwest Foundations, a Texas-based non-profit membership association of grantmaking organizations in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and expertise among grantmakers, as well as the resources to help enhance the ability of each organization to fulfill its charitable mission. CSF was founded in Austin in the 1940s. It was a lovely and warm October evening and Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps was honored to host such an amazing event at its Zilker Camp location. CSF unveiled a new playscape for Zilker Park and members from across their seven-state region chipped in and made this donation possible. As Elizabeth Smith, president of the CSF board of directors states, "This reflects our appreciation for those who have gone before us, our hope for the youth of today, and our commitment that the foundations of the Southwest will continue to strengthen the communities of tomorrow."

Camp Counselors - Now Accepting Applications

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:23:33 +0000

The Austin Sunshine Camps is looking for energetic individuals to serve as camp counselors. We are now accepting applications for camp counselors for our Zilker Park and Lake Travis locations. Please click here for more information.

Springbreak in LA

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:53:49 +0000

The Sunrise Leadership Students travelled to LA for their annual spring break trip. They spent their time this year helping with the ongoing Katrina clean-up efforts. A slideshow of their trip has been put together; click here to view the slideshow.

Voting Opens for Bun Run

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:08:12 +0000

Voting opens for the design choice of the 26th Annual Bun Run to be held on April 13, 2008. Registration and voting can be found at www.bunrun.com.

Construction Plans

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:08:46 +0000

Hal Jones Development LLC and McCombs Enterprises announce plans to purchase the existing Austin Sunshine Camp facility and construct a new and improved facility.