I W Loves Mom Challenge

Mother’s Day is coming up (May 12 to be exact), and to mark this most-important day of celebration, I W Marks Jewelers owners Joanna and Brad Marks are hosting the I W Marks Love Mom Charity Challenge for the fourth year. The couple has chosen to spotlight some of Houston’s most active community members, who together with I W Marks will raise awareness for a variety of important organizations throughout the city. Cast your vote for your favorite Houstonians and charities, and the charity that receives the most votes between April 23 and May 12 will receive a $2,500 donation from I W Marks Jewelers.

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Tiziana Ciacciofera (Triolo) and Désirée Triolo

American Cancer Society of Houston

Tiziana Ciacciofera (Triolo) and her daughter Désirée Triolo are all about Italian culture and fitness. The mother-daughter duo hailing from Palermo, Italy inspire friends and followers with their belief that fitness is about more than just your looks – it’s about how you feel. They continue to inspire others to be the best version of themselves through the instagram account @itsdesifit, which Désirée started in 2015.

Tiziana and Désirée have been devoted donors and volunteers for the American Cancer Society of Houston – the local branch of the national organization. The American Cancer Society funds and conducts cancer research, shares expert information, supports cancer patients, and helps to spread the word about cancer prevention.

Chad and Lynsey Hedrick

CoreLuv

Spring-native Chad Hedrick and his wife Lynsey represent not just champions of this city, but champions of the world. Chad skated in the 2006 and 2010 Olympic Games, where he set six world records, and retired with five shining Olympic Medals.

Chad and Lynsey are also faithful Christians, and are passionate about the international organization CoreLuv. CoreLuv shares the love of Jesus Christ to communities and orphanages around the world by providing orphans with clean water, proper nutrition, healthcare, education, job skills, and a loving home. The organization works tirelessly to restore hope to children, families, and communities in nations across the world.

Austin Waiter

Donate Life America

Austin Waiter is currently the chef de cuisine at nationally-acclaimed restaurant Tony’s in Houston. After studying at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and working as an extern at the restaurant, Austin was hired as sous chef. Just two and a half years later the young chef was promoted to chef de cuisine.

After one of Austin’s closest friends lost her husband unexpectedly, the chef learned of the importance of organ donation. The man who tragically passed away carried on his legacy through others, as he gifted five lives with his organs. Because of this, Austin has chosen to campaign for Donate Life America. The organization leads its national partners and the Donate Life State Teams to increase the number of donated organs, eyes, and tissues that can save others. It hopes that its efforts might help develop a culture where donation is one day seen as a human responsibility.

Amanda Weeks

Child Advocates

Renowned Houston attorney and beloved mother Amanda Weeks along with husband and Texans’ Long Snapper Jon Weeks are passionate about Child Advocates, a national organization that recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who provide a voice for children in foster care. Amanda currently serves on the advisory board for Child Advocates, and together with Harris County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program provides advocacy to help abused and neglected children leave foster care and find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Seven years ago, Amanda and Jon helped spread Christmas joy as they hosted their first Child Advocates shopping spree – an event that allows 20 children to go on a shopping spree at Target. Every year the couple also donates and gives children in the foster care system an opportunity to go to a Texans game.

The Magazine