A few selections to choose from for this week’s Good Deed

Austin is a famously busy place. On any given day there are tons of things to do and events to go to. Being bored in Austin is usually a conscious choice. This week is no exception. With so many great charity events going on, it’s hard to pick just one.

With UT’s Roundup of sorority and fraternity parties out of the way, now it’s time to concentrate on others. Here are just a few events going on this week that will definitely count as your good deed for the day.

Fotos de Mi Alma

Whosie-whatsit? Fotos de Mi Alma is Spanish for “photos of my soul.” As the biggest fundraiser of the year for Latinita’s, a non-profit magazine that focuses on empowering young Latinas, Fotos de Mi Alma will be hosting celebrated national and international photographers and their stunning work.

Come, be inspired and know that your admissions ticket will go towards helping the organization cover costs that aren’t funded by grants. Such things would include vital equipment needed to continue daily operations such as laptops, cameras, printers and the like. Although it’s being held at the Mexican American Cultural Center, the event is fully hosted by Latinitas.

Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River Street
March 29
6-9 PM
$15-20

The Great Griffin Give

If you don’t know, the Griffin School is the super awesome high school you never went to. With a focus on art, innovation and creativity, it’s an outsider’s dream. While boring literature classes and difficult-to-memorize math formulas might still be on the syllabus for Griffin academics, the school focuses on fine arts ranging from screen printing to digital film production.

With these real-life creative skills being honed at such a young and tender age, it’s hard not to be jealous of these little fuckers. While your high school didn’t have the super badass curriculum that Griffin does, that doesn’t mean you should shun them.

That’s exactly why you should join them for their Great Griffin Give, where you will be wined and dined while enjoying music as Griffin graduate James Thomas unveils his marvelous sculpture of a Griffin, the school’s mascot and a mythical creature with the head of an eagle and body of a lion. It was also Harry Potter’s mascot. Coincidence? I think not.

The Griffin School
5001 Evans Avenue
March 31
6-8 PM
$15

Spokes ’n Spurs

Calling all cyclists! Now this one will take a little bit more effort (and money) to attend, but if you’re behind the cause of the Spirit Reins Ranch, which is a 501c3 that helps abused and neglected kids find therapy through the care and riding of horses, you won’t want to miss this chance to ride.

This premier cycling event will take place in beautiful Liberty Hill. Participants of all ages will be offered several different distances to choose from. You can choose from a longer, harder “workout” ride or shorter scenic peddle through the hill country. Either way, there will be after-ride fun and games as well as fruit, water and homemade cookies along your trail. Not to mention, a police motorcade will be escorting you along your merry way. Added bonus: there will be a cash prize to the top three men and women who finish the 62.5 mile distance challenge.

The Spirit Reins Ranch
Liberty Hill, TX
8:30 AM-3:00 PM
March 31
$35-45

 Amanda Chappel