“Two Ways to Help Austin’s Underprivileged Kids TODAY!”

You know how I can tell we are still in a recession? We’re scaling down the gift giving and making it a Lite Christmas.  Families who have it worse than we do may have NO Christmas.  That’s fine for most adults–but think about the keeds.  When all you see in your world is dark, it’s nice to get a glimmer of light.  There are two events happening TODAY that can help you spread a little hope this holiday season. Check it:

Toys For Tots

Growing up, I didn’t always get to have name brand clothes or toys. Yup, I had He-Mans and wore Nikes, but sometimes I had fake GI Joe’s and wore Target knock-offs.  I never felt jealous of the kids who had the sparkley stuff, because at least I had something.  When we were done with our old toys, Mom would always take them to some place and drop them off.  She explained that not every kid had the same lifestyle that we did, and that by giving these toys, we’d help other kids smile.

Tonight you can bring a smile to a kid and shake your azz at the Toys for Tots Dance For A Cause at Prague Night Club. There will be prizes for Best Toy/Characte costume. Bring a cash donation or unwrapped new Toys and get down! Dj’s include Ram-Z, Boogiemonster, TIM:POSSIBLE, Kaycee Paul, JT Skyy and more.

DEETS: Toys for Tots Dance For a Cause, Prague Nightclub (422 Congress Ave), 8P-2A, 18+, FREE (unwrapped Toy or Cash donation recommended)

Bikes for Kids

Do y’all remember when you first learned how to ride a bike?  I was like 6 or maybe 8.  My grandfather had been trying to teach me for what seemed like hours.  He would hold the back of my banana-seated Schwinn and run, balancing me as I tried to peddle.  Just as I was getting frustrated, I remember a feeling of going faster and faster, and when I looked back at my grandfather, he was way behind me. He’d let go and I was peddling myself!

The gift my grandfather gave me on that bike was confidence and an everlasting sense of freedom.  That might be why I gave up my car in 2001, making cycling my main source of transport.  You can spread that same kind of love this Holiday Season by donating cash with JB and Sandy from Mix 94.5′s Morning Show.  Over the last 13 years, these guys have given more bikes than you can shake a stick at. For the next week, they’ll be at locations around the city freezing their butts off. [Scroll down for a complete list of locations and dates.] You can also donate online.

WATCH: JB Hager tells us why they founded Bikes For Kids and how you can help.

Here are some of the places you can find them:

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

• 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Live Broadcast at Freescale Parmer Lane
• 7700 W. Parmer Ln.
• Austin, TX 78729

Friday, December 11, 2009

• 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Live Broadcast at HEB- Research Blvd
• 10710 Research Blvd., Ste. 200
• Austin, TX 78759

Saturday, December 12, 2009

• Noon to 2:00 p.m.
• University Oaks
• 201 University Blvd. (IH-35 & University Blvd.)
• Round Rock, TX 78664

Monday, December 14, 2009

• 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Live Broadcast at Whataburger- Cedar Park
• 2740 E. Whitestone Blvd.
• Cedar Park, TX 78613

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

• 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Whataburger at Parmer
• 6301 W. Parmer Ln.
• Austin, TX 78729

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

• 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Live Broadcast at Whataburger- Lakeway
• 2011 Ranch Road 620 S.
• Lakeway, TX 78723