The HAPS offices and all groups are closed the week of Thanksgiving.
We look forward to seeing you next week!

FIGHT FIT FOR HAPS

November is for giving. Philanthropy is the backbone of the Savarese Fight Fit West U business model.

For the entire month of November Savarese Fight Fit will be discounting 10% from each drop in and donating 10% back to charity. November's focus will be on HAPS.

 ANNUAL AWARDS GALA

Houston Area Parkinson Society's 2018 Annual Awards Gala was held on Sunday, October 21st at The Astorian. More than 350 supporters helped raise over $300,000 for programs and services that are essential to serving Houston's Parkinson’s community.

Outstanding Event Chairs Anne and Stuart Coco and Young Professional Chairs Calia and Peter Pettigrew, pictured on the right, planned a delightful evening filled with great music, dinner, and dancing. They created a perfect blend of fun and purpose—expanding understanding of Parkinson’s and how we as a community can come together to serve those living with this debilitating disease.

This year's event announced HAPS’ newly established award named in honor of President George H. W. Bush. The award was inspired by the humanitarian legacy the 41st President created in 1990 by signing the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. This landmark piece of civil rights legislation has had a far-reaching impact on the lives of those with disabilities. President Bush’s unfaltering optimism with which he has confronted his own condition has set a shining example for countless people who live with Parkinson’s and related disorders. His fortitude and resilience are values that we share and embrace as an organization–HAPS is incredibly proud to partner with the Bush family in this very meaningful way.

Shern-Min Chow, KHOU-TV Anchor, MSJ, and Reporter, reigned as the Gala’s dynamic Mistress of Ceremonies. The Live Auction featured fabulous trips, Houston Rockets court-side tickets, and an exclusive in-home dinner party with Chef Brandi Key. Valobra Master Jewelers provided a generous $7,500 gift certificate for one lucky raffle winner.

Funds raised at the event will further HAPS’ mission to improve the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson's disease through services, education, and advocacy. For more than 40 years, HAPS has offered free therapeutic exercise and support groups, social services, education, transportation, emergency financial aid, and respite care to families affected by Parkinson’s in eight Houston-area counties. Proceeds from the Gala go directly back to our local community as HAPS assists and offers support to those living with Parkinson's until a cure is found. Click here to see all the photos from the event.

HAVANA NIGHTS

It is with deep appreciation and sincere gratitude that HAPS thanks Betsy and Charlie de Vega and the KnILE Center for their generous support of our organization. Betsy, Charlie and the school's PTO chose HAPS to be the recipient of their 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser. The Havana Nights event was held on Friday, September 21, 2018, and was a huge success with over 200 tickets sold, wonderful food, music, dancing and fun! 

Located in Richmond, TX the KnILE Center's mission is to develop confident students by providing them with the best tools and strategies to help them reach their fullest potential to succeed in school and life. This is accomplished through goals that focus on total development of the child through example, practice, empowerment and development of different learning styles and strives to offer a new way of learning with no limitations. How does KnILE Center and HAPS connect? Betsy de Vega, Founder and Head of School at KnILE Center, LLC. Here's her story...

I am Cuban born, but raised in Houston. My husband, Charlie, is also of Cuban descent. We know all too well what hard work and sacrifice looks like since both of our families sacrificed everything to come to this great country so that we could live a good life. Because of our families’ sacrifices, we do not take our freedom lightly and are grateful for all the opportunities we have been given. Other than my amazing family, the biggest blessing I have been granted is KnILE and the opportunity to share my vision with others, while making a difference in our children’s lives. I have had the honor of growing KnILE for 10 years now and what a ride it has been!

A little over two years ago, I was on cloud nine—it seemed that everything was going exactly how I hoped. Then in 2015, I noticed a limp in my left foot and leg. By October of that year, I was noticeably walking with a limp. After many tests and appointments with doctors, it was confirmed on February 5, 2016, that I had early onset Parkinson’s. Talk about a blow! Learning that I had this knocked me down, but after much self-searching and so much support from family, friends, colleagues, and my KnILE family, I realized how blessed I really was and decided that I would not let Parkinson’s define me. I have since embraced my diagnosis and now try to raise as much awareness and funds for Parkinson’s as I possibly can. This is why I chose HAPS as the primary recipient of our 10-year fundraising celebration. After my diagnosis, I turned to HAPS for information and support. I have participated in several programs for individuals and families who are newly diagnosed and have benefited significantly from what HAPS offers the Parkinson's community.

Through the incredibly generous support and extraordinary efforts from her family, friends and community, the KnILE Center presented HAPS with a check for $16,132.76 in funds raised through their event. 

"This is an exceptional gift to receive from the KnILE Center for many reasons. It is a true testament to the love and support Betsy has invested in her community and they in turn have shown to her. Being a part of this event not only raised invaluable funds to support our mission, but provided a meaningful opportunity for outreach into the Ft. Bend County - an area HAPS acknowledges as a rapidly expanding territory within our service area which means the need for additional programs and support is critical." says HAPS Executive Director Kathleen Crist. "Opportunities like this, prove that we all do better when we work together. This is what community is about. HAPS exists to provide hope. This is done by empowering and engaging people in programs and services that improve the quality of life. Education is a powerful tool in that process and I believe that in this way, our shared missions and aligned values present an incredible opportunity to collaborate and make a difference in the lives of others in Ft. Bend County and beyond."