Young Hearts and Hands Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Katy, Texas, founded by Dawn Champagne, Annie Hilton, and Kristi Carroll in February 2025 and is guided by the mission “Connecting youth with meaningful volunteer opportunities”. As long-time community volunteers, the founders saw a need to better connect teens and young adults with meaningful ways to serve both individuals and established nonprofits in the Katy area and beyond. Young Hearts and Hands Foundation serves youth ages 14–21, helping them plug into service opportunities with partner organizations such as senior support, food distribution, community events, and other local projects; participation is open to youth from Katy ISD as well as the broader Katy and greater West Houston communities. Rather than providing direct financial assistance, the foundation focuses on facilitating volunteer service, building work skills, leadership, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to giving back. Student volunteers can earn Certificates of Recognition for reaching milestones in service hours, which can be used to strengthen job, scholarship, and college applications. Through these experiences, Young Hearts and Hands Foundation not only helps meet practical needs in the community but also invests in developing confident, community-minded young leaders. Spotlight on Katy Responds Proceeds from the Katy Hearts and Hands Fun Run will benefit Katy Responds, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rebuilding homes and restoring hope for families affected by natural and personal disasters in West Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, and surrounding counties. Katy Responds coordinates volunteers, funds, and materials to repair and restore homes for low-income families and vulnerable seniors, providing safe, sanitary, and functional living conditions after floods, storms, and other crises. Partnership with Supply Bridge Ministries Young Hearts and Hands Foundation is honored to partner with Supply Bridge Ministries to host the Katy Hearts and Hands Fun Run. Supply Bridge Ministries plays an important role in supporting local families and individuals in need, helping connect community resources with those facing hardship. Their partnership helps ensure the Fun Run is not only a successful event, but also a strong expression of collaboration among organizations committed to serving Katy-area residents. Together, Young Hearts and Hands Foundation and Supply Bridge Ministries aim to model for youth what it looks like when nonprofits work side by side for the good of the community.

Run details The Katy Hearts and Hands Fun Run will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Legacy Stadium, 1830 Katyland Drive in Katy, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event will feature a 1.25-mile family walk/run and a 3.75-mile individual run, offering options for all ages and fitness levels. Children 13 and under must participate as part of a family entry with at least one adult. How to enter: Participants may register online through the Young Hearts and Hands Foundation website at www.youngheartsandhands.org. Entry fees: • $60 per family (up to five participants) • $40 per individual runner Vendors and nonprofits: The event will host ten vendor booths at $100 each, ten nonprofit booths at no cost, and candidate booths for $100. Vendors, nonprofits, and candidates can request a booth and sign up through the email address on the Young Hearts and Hands Foundation website. Proceeds from the Fun Run will support Young Hearts and Hands Foundation’s youth volunteer programming and will provide vital funding to Katy Responds’ disaster recovery and home restoration projects in the Katy area. For more information about the Young Hearts and Hands Foundation or the Katy Hearts and Hands Fun Run, please visit www.youngheartsandhands.org or email youngheartsandhands@yahoo.com.