Some local homeless families were the beneficiaries of a special donor and member reception during the Holiday at the Center Tree Lighting Festival at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. The reception included a Give One/Get One Auction. For every gift basket someone bought throught the auction, a matching gift basket was donated to one of the families being served by the Austin Street Center. The Austin Street Center has provided emergency shelter and related services to the homeless in a compassionate faith-based community since 1983. Between the auction and the Student Fund donation box, Center donors and members contributed almost $1,000 during the reception.

The reception was held on the Sunrise Balcony off the 5th floor terrace in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. From that vantage point, guests could watch the tree lighting, listen to the entertainment, meet and take pictures with the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker and enjoy warm beverages and treats.