Each fall, Helping Hand Home for Children hosts its Champions for Children Luncheon to recognize and honor nonprofits, corporations, and individuals who are transforming the lives of children, helping them create a brighter future. Nearly 1,000 guests attended this year’s event, held at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin, which raised nearly $1 million.
The 2025 Philanthropic Honoree of the Champions for Children Award was the Mack, Jack & McConaughey Foundation (MJ&M). Launched in 2013 by former University of Texas football coach Mack Brown, musician Jack Ingram, and actor Matthew McConaughey, MJ&M has contributed more than $78 million to support children’s education, health, and wellness by funding organizations that serve children.
MJM’s annual fundraisers that combine entertainment, fashion, and philanthropy to bring the community together to support causes affecting children.
Others honored for their commitment to empowering children included Dr. Robin Ward DelConte, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Rice University, and founder of Camp GEM®; Jocelyn Chamra-Barrera, Executive and Clinical Director, Christi Center; and Alpha Xi Delta, University of Texas at Austin.
The event was chaired by Ed Clements, Tina McCutchin, and Lindsey Sartain, and The Daytripper’s Chet Garner acted as emcee.
Connie Britton, multiple Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress, served as this year’s keynote speaker. She is best known for her TV roles in Friday Night Lights, Nashville, and American Horror Story, and has appeared in many other TV shows and films, including Promising Young Woman and The Brothers McMullen.
Britton’s proudest role is being a mom. In 2011, she adopted her son from Ethiopia, an experience that strengthened her lifelong commitment to children and child welfare. She also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program and leads her production company, Deep Blue, which creates programming that tells stories to highlight resilience, uplift diverse voices, and reflect the power of community. Through these platforms, Britton advocates for children’s rights, promotes adoption, and supports global humanitarian causes.
For more than 130 years, Helping Hand Home has been providing healing to children who have experienced complex trauma. The Home’s mission is to bring hope and healing to children and families through a continuum of trauma-informed, therapeutic care including residential, foster, adoption and support programs. Thanks to community support, Helping Hand Home is able to fulfill its mission of healing the most vulnerable children and restoring them to healthy families.
To support Helping Hand Home for Children, visit helpinghandhome.org.
Photos courtesy of Buster Jetter.
