Doing good in the Texas heat: LHi at Austin Sunshine Camps

At LHi, giving back to the community isn’t just something we do, it’s part of who we are. This year, our Austin office has proudly partnered with Austin Sunshine Camps as their chosen charity, supporting an organization that provides overnight summer camp experiences to underprivileged children in the area, completely free of charge.

We caught up with our Austin charity committee, Ciara McCarry, Vanessa Palazzi, and Alessandra Tudela, and got the inside scoop on their recent hands-on volunteer day and why giving back to the local community means so much to the team.

What did the day at Austin Sunshine Camps involve? Give us the behind-the-scenes!

We arrived and did some little ice breaker games to get everyone warmed up, then the group split into two, some for moving, some for sorting. 
Team A (the movers) were putting together beds, moving large furniture, and getting the foundations for camp set up and Team B (the organizers) went through all of the stock, throwing away out of date items, moving everything from arts & crafts, to medical supplies to the right areas of the camp.

What was the most memorable part of the day volunteering?

I can’t speak on behalf of everyone, but for me personally, it was so nice to see the areas that in just a few short weeks will actually change the lives of children who need it.

Why is it important to you personally to give back to the Austin community?

We wanted to pick something local to Austin, so we could see and feel the impact of the work that we’re doing and they’re doing. To be able to be a part of an organization that has supported underprivileged children in Austin for over 100 years is incredible. Feels like a corner stone of the Austin community. 

What’s next in your ongoing partnership with Austin Sunshine Camps, have you got any other events lined up?

We will be heading down likely to help with the camp close out at the end of summer, so that we can see the full cycle of the camp’s operations.

If someone’s never volunteered before, what would you say to encourage them to get involved?

Helping others naturally boosts your mood and gives you a sense of purpose. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know you’re making a positive contribution to your community. 

In the rush of everyday life (especially in a busy, fast-paced job like recruitment) it’s easy to get caught up in stress and routine. Volunteering offers a chance to pause and reconnect with your values, appreciate what you have, and focus on the bigger picture!

Was there a secret MVP on the team?

Honestly, no single MVP, everyone really stepped up. The whole team was amazing.

Describe the day in three words.

Wholesome, feel good, fun.

How did the team come together during the day, any standout team moments?

Definitely! Moving a HUGE whiteboard up two flights of stairs took multiple people from team A and team B, the staff were impressed we were able to lift and move it instead of dismantling it. It was a true team win!

Making an impact, one day at a time.

Spending the day at Austin Sunshine Camps wasn’t just about physical tasks, it was about connection, community, and contributing to something bigger than ourselves. Huge thanks to Ciara, Alessandra, and Vanessa for sharing their experience and to the entire Austin team for showing what community in action looks like.