Greta L. Irvin: Founder
My goal in establishing this 501(c)3 charity was to help disadvantaged students in AISD schools have safe sports equipment as well as needed resources to lessen their daily stresses. We consider our efforts to be a Boots on the Ground approach. I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Finance and worked for many years for IBM in Virginia before moving to Austin in the early 90s. Away from my charity efforts, I enjoy walks with my grand dog Charlie in our neighborhood, spending time with my 3 kids when they are in town, and attending UT sporting events and Austin FC soccer games with my husband.
Mary Lou Batlan: Board Of Directors
Mary Lou Batlan has lived in Austin, TX since 1992, coming to Austin with her family from upstate New York and the Texas panhandle prior to that. Mary Lou and husband Bob have been involved with several Austin non-profits, including Mobile Loaves & Fishes, New Life Institute, Westlake United Methodist Church, Temple Beth Shalom, Girl Scouts, and the Westlake High School Band. Mary Lou continues to serve the homeless and working poor of Austin through volunteer efforts with Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Community First! Village. With our two daughters, Rebecca and Katharine, we have made volunteering a family effort. We also find time for long walks in nature and playing fast card games. Mary Lou is a weekly baker for the charity Thankful Tuesday, that delivers homemade mini loaves of bread to Austin’s homeless at Camp Esperanza. She looks forward to the ways to help and involve the community in this connection of outreach.
“There are 3 ways to ultimate success. The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”– Fred Rodgers
Rev. Dr. Tina Carter
an environmental consultant she worked to keep communities safe. Later, as a United Methodist pastor, she worked with several communities including new immigrants, the formerly incarcerated, folks with disabilities, and persons with a background of generational poverty. Most importantly she loves playing games with her teenaged grandson, visiting with her adult daughters, being grateful for her stepson, rooming with her mom and celebrating with her husband.Debbie Preston
Debbie moved to Austin in 2006 after living in the Northeast her whole life. Living in Massachusetts she worked for Digital Equipment and Bose Corporation. After moving to Texas, she became involved with her 2 daughters’ school activities with the PTO, Girl Scouts, and Westlake Marching Band. She and her husband, Ron, enjoy taking biking trips. Debbie has volunteered and supported St. Louise House, which houses mothers and children for over 10 years. She also sews with St. John Neumann’s Threads of Hope ministry providing weighted blankets to foster children, blankets to Mobile Loaves and Fishes and tote bags to Catholic Charities and John Paul II Life Center.
