#HoustonStrong All Year Long

Are you feeling #HoustonStrong? For many, the holidays in Houston will not be the same this year. Our community has done a tremendous job in rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey, but the work is not done. There are still thousands of people and families without a home or food for the holidays – let alone gifts for the kids. Several charities in the Houston area are offering the Adopt a Family program to those who qualify. Volunteers will choose a family to shop for this holiday. Each adopting sponsor will have the opportunity to purchase toys, housewares, clothing and other items needed by their individual families.

Many families in the program have greater needs than just toys for their little ones. The Adopt a Family program truly creates Christmas miracles for our neighbors by providing them with everything they will need this Christmas. Universal Home Experts has compiled a list of the programs for those who are feeling #HoustonStrong this season.

Adopt a Family Programs:

Houston Children’s Charity

Last year the Houston Children’s Charity was able to help over 2,000 children with the help of over 400 individuals and corporate sponsors. Join them this year in making Christmas special for Houston families in need!

Houston Furniture Bank

Through the Adopt a Family program, supporters of Houston Furniture Bank can make personal contributions towards the independence and stability of their less advantaged community members and neighbors. Their program is designed to allow people to directly aid a family with their furniture needs.

Help them this holiday to sponsor families that are struggling with extreme poverty!

Star of Hope Mission

Star of Hope supports families that have graduated from their Transitional Living Center or their Women and Family Emergency Center, as well as other qualifying families for the holidays. Many of these families are comprised of single parents with children; grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren; single dads with children; and, two-parent families who are struggling in today’s economy. Join them this holiday season and show a sponsored family that someone cares and took the time to help them out this holiday season.

Prince of Peace Catholic Community

Each year, approximately 425 needy families are adopted through the Mercy Ministry’s Adopt-A-Family Christmas program. Christmas gifts are provided for the children and food for a traditional holiday meal is provided for each family.

Candlelighters – Childhood Cancer Family Alliance

This heartwarming program offers sponsors the opportunity to interact with Candlelighter’s families, allowing both sponsor and family to celebrate the true meaning of the holidays. Donors can be matched to a family of their choice. Donors and sponsors can be individual families, grades and classes or entire schools, employee groups, clubs, businesses, church youth groups, and individuals.

An Adopt-A-Family Program can help make the holidays a little easier by providing gifts for the children and food for the family’s holiday meal. If you or someone you know would like to be adopted, please have them reach out to one of the foundations above for eligibility requirements. Houston wants to help!

As a community, let’s be #HoustonStrong all year long as we continue to rebuild our homes and lives. If adopting a family isn’t right for you this holiday season, consider one of the many volunteer opportunities in the Houston area.

Volunteer for One of These Great Foundations:

The Holiday Project

Help the Holiday Project bring the spirit of the holidays to those who otherwise might not have a celebration this season! They organize visits to people in nursing homes, hospitals and other residential institutions to make them an integral part of America’s Holiday Experience.

Thanksgiving Big Feast

Join Houston’s City Wide Club for their 36th Annual Thanksgiving Big Feast. Come to volunteer and stay for dinner! They have two shifts available, one for morning and one for afternoon. Visit their website for more information and to sign up today!

Snoopy-style Thanksgiving Feast

Kick off the holiday season by joining the Houston Food Bank on Monday, November 20th from 6PM to 9PM for a Snoopy-style Thanksgiving feast full of pretzels, popcorn and jelly beans! This special event will consist of a short volunteer shift followed by a special screening of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”

Serving Love Through a Meal

Each week the Christ Rose Foundation serves those in need a delicious meal. They are in need of volunteers to help them prepare and serve about 150 meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a great ongoing volunteer opportunity throughout the whole year! Support them in their mission of sharing love through a meal. For more information on times, dates and registering click on the link above.

ROCK NATIVITY: the Musical

A.D. Players theater is seeking volunteer ushers for their Christmas performance of ROCK NATIVITY: the Musical. Each time you usher not only will you get to sit and watch the show for FREE – but you will also earn a complimentary ticket to come back and see a future show for FREE, good for one year!

This is a fun, family friendly opportunity. The complimentary tickets make great Holiday gifts too! For more information on signing up visit their website above.

Disaster Relief Distribution

Join Bread of Life to help unload, sort and distribute donations to families affected by Hurricane Harvey. This is a great volunteer opportunity for individuals and groups. They have several time options available throughout the holiday season!

Houston Habitat for Humanity

Grab a hammer and help Houston’s Habitat for Humanity build affordable housing this holiday season. Don’t worry if you lack building experience; our staff is happy to teach! Click on the link above to sign up and volunteer!

Houston is offering a little something for everyone to give back and get the help they need this holiday season. We are proud to be a part of this community and #HoustonStrong. If you or someone you know is in need of help this holiday season, contact the charities above. Here at Universal Home Experts, we feel so honored to be a part of such a generous and neighborly community!


For more information on our services, give us a call at (713) 364-0226(available 24/7). Or you can visit us online or drop us a message on our FacebookTwitter, and Google+ pages. Universal Home Experts is your trusted source for all of your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC needs. We service the entire Houston area. Don’t forget to schedule your annual heating maintenance tune-up. It will extend the life of your HVAC system, increase energy efficiency, and ensure your warranties remain valid.