‘Friday Night Lights’ Reunion: Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler Support Helping Hand Home

Warm applause filled the ballroom of the JW Marriott in downtown Austin as Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress Connie Britton took the stage at Helping Hand Home for Children’s Champions for Children Luncheon on Oct. 23. Nearly 1,000 guests gathered for the annual celebration, presented by Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, honoring those who make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children across Central Texas.

This year’s Philanthropic Honoree, the Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M) Foundation, was recognized for donating more than $78 million to organizations focused on children’s education, health and wellness. Founders Mack Brown, Jack Ingram and Matthew McConaughey were celebrated for their decade-long commitment to amplifying community impact through their signature Austin-based fundraising events.

1

11

Mack Brown, Connie Britton & Kyle Chandler (photo by Jetter Photography)

2

11

Ed Clements, Lindsey Sartain, Tania Leskovar-Owens, Connie Britton, Morgen Hardin & Tina McCutchin (photo by Jetter Photography)

3

11

Ed Clements, Lindsey Sartain, Connie Britton, Tina McCutchin & Mack Brown (photo by Jetter Photography)

4

11

Connie Britton and Mack Brown (photo by Jetter Photography)

5

11

Chet Garner, Connie Britton, Erin Hewlett & David Hewlett (photo by Jetter Photography)

6

11

Morgen Hardin and Mack Brown (photo by Jetter Photography)

7

11

Mack Brown (photo by Jetter Photography)

8

11

Chet Garner, Jocelyn Chamra-Barrera, Mack Brown, Ed Clements, Robin Ward DelConte, Lindsey Sartain, Tania Leskovar-Owens, Connie Britton, Morgen Hardin, Tina McCutchin, Sophia Saenz & Abby Zerger (photo by Jetter Photography)

9

11

Sienna DelConte, Robin Ward DelConte, First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott & Sophia DelConte (photo by Jetter Photography)

10

11

Connie Britton (photo by Jetter Photography)

11

11

Ed Clements, Betsy Clements, Kyle Chandler & Kathryn Chandler (photo by Jetter Photography)

Inspiring change through advocacy

Britton, known for acclaimed roles in “Friday Night Lights,” “Nashville” and “The White Lotus,” delivered the keynote address. She spoke about motherhood, her journey as a single parent after adopting her son from Ethiopia, and her passion for advocating for children worldwide.

In her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program, Britton has championed global efforts toward poverty eradication and women’s empowerment — work she described as deeply connected to the mission of Helping Hand Home.

The luncheon was chaired by Ed Clements, Tina McCutchin and Lindsey Sartain, with “The Daytripper” host Chet Garner serving as emcee.

Founded more than 130 years ago, Helping Hand Home for Children provides trauma-informed residential, foster, adoption and family support programs for children who have experienced severe trauma. The nonprofit recently expanded its Austin campus, nearly doubling its capacity to serve and heal children through its continuum of care.

RELATED: CASA of Travis County Celebrates 40 Years of Child Advocacy and Community Impact