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Mmmm. Who doesn’t love chocolate? Eating chocolate, drinking wine, doing good for the community. Does it get any better than that? Check out the selection of scrumptious desserts at Viva Chocolato and 15% of your purchase during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) will be donated back to UWCA. Additionally, receive a FREE $10 gift card with any purchase of $25 or more. And, on Saturday, May 23rd, be sure to check out Viva Chocolato’s Chocolate Party, from 2-4pm, $20 per person, Viva Chocolato! Attend an exclusive Chocolate/Wine Tasting or Fondue Party at Viva Chocolato! specifically for Give5 attendees… Three 2oz. pours of three different wines are perfectly paired with three different Artisan Chocolate Truffles, and described by VC’s Chocolate Guide, who will also convey a bit of fascinating chocolate history, amazing health benefit information, and how to pair chocolates with wines. Or, enjoy VC’s dark or milk chocolate fondue with a variety of fruits and sides. Attendees will also have a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to McCormick & Schmick’s Restaurant in the Domain. Wow. Thank you, Viva Chocolato.

We’re down to the wire with HB130 in the Texas Legislature, as it is coming up for vote in the Senate Committee on Education tomorrow. Early Childhood Advocates have done an amazing job, so far, now it’s time to hit this one out of the park. Do you part, tell the Senate Committee how much this means to you, and don’t forget to ask your friends to do the same! Go to:http://ga3.org/campaign/HB_130_SenateEd_II/ to make your voice be heard.

Get over to The Domain this weekend to celebrate Memorial Day and Give5 with cupcakes, cocktails; and pick up your free gift when you make a purchase. Don’t forget…you’ll be helping out a great cause when you shop there, ’cause 5% of your purchase will go to help United Way’s programs!

It’s the perfect weekend to Give5 by shopping at Sanctuary. Find some great home decor gifts for the graduates in your life. When you shop during Memorial Day weekend (Sanctuary’s hours: closed Sunday, May 24th; open Monday, May 25th: 12noon – 4pm) at Sanctuary, 5% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to UWCA. Sanctuary’s address and details are in the Give5 coupon book, along with all of the other great Austin neighbors who are helping us out: give5centraltexas.org

Can it get any easier to do good than this? Eat at P. Terry’s any time this Saturday (23rd), and they will donate all of their proceeds from the purchase to United Way Capital Area. (You know you were going to stop by after doing your Give5 shopping, anyway!) Don’t forget to tell all of your friends, family and loved ones about this:https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/give5/ 404 S. Lamar (Corner of Barton Springs & Lamar) 3303 Lamar (32nd Street & Lamar)

Are you planning on booking your next spa treatment soon? milk + honey spas do it all, including: massages, facials, body treatments, and natural nail therapy. Men, milk + honey was voted Best Spa for Men in Austin! But wait! Don’t make an appointment without mentioning Give5! Mention Give5 when you make an appointment and 5% of your purchase will be donated to United Way Capital Area. Additionally, be sure to stop by milk+honey Spa and SALON on Monday, May 25th from 12noon – 2pm for an exclusive event, coupons and FREE gift certificates for Give5 attendees.

Be sure to stop by our neighbors, Bennu Coffee, any time during this Memorial Day weekend–and, we literally mean any time, because they are open 24/7. 5% of your purchase will go to help fund our programs. You can Give $5 right now, and learn more about Give5, at give5centraltexas.org.

Our friends at networkinaustin.com are participating in Give5! Build a better business network and give back to the community at the same time. Join NetworkinAustin as a new member between now and Memorial Day (May 15-25) and $10 will be donated back to United Way Capital Area. (Please type “Give5” in the ‘Referred By’ field.) And, we’ve added another Special Event, thanks to Touch of Sass: Sunday, May 24th, 2-4pm, Touch of Sass Don’t miss out on your chance to win a gift certificate package for dinner and a massage at the Four Seasons when you shop at Touch of Sass during this exclusive event for Give5 attendees! Check out the coupon book at give5centraltexas.org for more great ways to give back over Memorial Day Weekend, and don’t forget to Give $5! It’s secure, quick and easy!

Want to know where to shop this Memorial Day weekend? Have at your fingertips all of the Austin businesses who will be participating in Give5:

***Please take a moment to call or email the Senate Education Committee members below about quality, full-day pre-kindergarten for Texas children*** Before Thursday, contact the Senate Education Committee to say you support HB 130. The bill is scheduled to be heard by the committee at 8 a.m., May 14 in E1.028. Contact the members below and urge them to advance the quality pre-K bill out of committee. TECEC, the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition, notes: “The benefits of high-quality pre-k have been widely recognized by education researchers, economists, and business professionals. …Investing in high-quality pre-k programs leads to fewer children entering the juvenile justice system, fewer special education referrals, less grade retention, decreased dropout rates, and reduced child welfare costs. Those facts come straight from Texas’ own Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. The conservative cost-benefit analysis found that every $1.00 invested in high quality pre-kindergarten programs returns at least $3.50 back to local communities.” Senate Education Committee Chair – Sen. Florence Shapiro: florence.shapiro@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0108Vice Chair – Sen. Dan Patrick: dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0107 Sen. Kip Averitt: kip.averitt@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-012Sen. Wendy Davis: wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0110Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr.: mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0106Sen. Steve Ogden: steve.ogden@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0105Sen. Leticia Van de Putte: leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0126Sen. Royce West: royce.west@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-012Sen. Tommy Williams: tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0104