Introducing the Charity Challenge

Vote for your favorite San Antonio nonprofit in the CultureMap Charity Challenge

San Antonio Charity Challenge 2016

Introducing the Charity Challenge

Vote for your favorite San Antonio nonprofit in the CultureMap Charity Challenge

TeletonUSA supports children with disabilities and their families.Photo courtesy of TeletonUSA Foundation
CASA volunteers make a huge difference in children's lives.Child Advocates San Antonio/Facebook
Musical Bridges Around the World hosts multicultural performances in San Antonio.Musical Bridges Around the World/Facebook
The Children's Shelter provides a safe place for kids in need.The Children's Shelter/Facebook
San Antonio Humane Society helps four-legged friends find a forever home.San Antonio Humane Society/Facebook
Soldier's Angels assists active military personnel and veterans.Soldiers' Angels/Facebook

CultureMap is committed to shining a light on San Antonio-area nonprofits and all they do to make an impact in our community. So, we're launching the inaugural CultureMap San Antonio Charity Challenge, highlighting six deserving local organizations — one of which will become our charity partner for 2016.

You get to decide which one wins by voting in our poll from now through December 30. Before you cast your vote, meet the finalists, as selected by CultureMap:

CASA
Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) recruits, trains, and supervises court-appointed volunteer advocates who provide constancy for abused and neglected children and youth while advocating for services and placement in safe and permanent homes.

The Children’s Shelter
The Children’s Shelter offers emergency shelter and residential treatment for children in crisis and helps children find permanent homes through foster care and adoption.

Musical Bridges Around the World
Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW) unites, educates, and inspires by producing one-of-a-kind multicultural performances by the finest musicians from around the globe.

San Antonio Humane Society
The San Antonio Humane Society aims to protect and improve the lives of dogs and cats by providing shelter, care, adoption, rescue, spay and neuter programs, and community education.

Soldiers’ Angels
Soldiers' Angels provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard; their families; and a growing veteran population.

TeletonUSA Foundation
TeletonUSA Foundation raises critical funds and awareness to inspire a more inclusive, accepting world for children with disabilities and their families. TeletonUSA empowers these children to live their lives to the fullest potential.

You can read more about the nonprofits through the duration of the Charity Challenge. But now, it's time to vote. Vote once a day, every day, through December 30. The winning nonprofit, announced January 5, 2016, will receive a CultureMap advertising package worth $10,000.

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Wildfire Alert

San Antonio faces 'potentially historic' extreme wildfire risk Tuesday

Getty Images

A fire from 2023 in Austin.

Meteorologists are reporting extreme wildfire risk in parts of Texas for Tuesday, March 4. The National Weather Service (NWS) calls the coming conditions "dangerous [and] potentially historic." At the time of this article's publication, the warning is in effect from 8 am through 9 pm.

A combination of wind and dry conditions are creating concern about fires starting and spreading quickly. In Austin and San Antonio, NWS warns of gusts up to 55 miles per hour, and relative humidity of 5-15 percent.

It urges residents to avoid outdoor burning, keep vehicles off of dry grass, and properly dispose of cigarettes. It shares that most wildfires are caused by people.

The Texas A&M Forest Service shares additional tips for wildfire safety, namely clearing debris like dead leaves and pine needles from the roof and places near exterior walls.

"When a wildfire is headed your way, it’s time to start preparing to leave," the website says. "Alert your family and friends. Stay tuned to news reports. Grab your emergency kit, and be ready to head out at a moment’s notice. Make sure you know where you're going and what you're taking with you. The American Red Cross can provide shelter and basic necessities during a disaster and can help you get back on your feet after it's over."

KUT has also prepared a helpful article with instructions, including to clear flammable furniture off patios and to have an evacuation plan and a packed bag with "72 hours' worth of essentials, such as clothes, medications and valuables."

For monitoring, locals should periodically check the NWS' forecasts and local news services such as KXAN and KENS5. Up-to-date and simplified information can be found via the Bexar County Fire Marshal/Office of Emergency Management on Facebook.

Residents can also sign up for alerts from Bexar County's Regional Emergency Alert Network (REAN) here.

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