Katy Angels Hosts Sold-Out Gala, Raising Over $50,000 to Support Families in Need
The holidays can be a painful reminder of hardship for families struggling to make ends meet, but for several households in a small trailer park in Katy, Christmas arrived in an unexpected way. In mid-November 2024, Katy Angels brought unexpected joy to a trailer park where one of their founders once lived. Knowing that many families in the area were struggling, they went door to door asking a simple question: “Do you need a Christmas tree?” For 10 families, the answer was yes. And within hours, their homes were filled with the glow of twinkling lights and the warmth of a holiday tradition that otherwise might not have been possible.
Moments like these define Katy Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to providing immediate relief to families struggling with food insecurity and financial hardship. Their work extends beyond food assistance—it's about restoring hope, uplifting spirits, and reminding people that they are not alone.
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Last weekend, the organization held its second annual Katy Angels Gala, a sold-out event that brought together more than 300 community members, leaders, and donors in a night of giving and gratitude. But for co-founders Jake Gottfried and Roderick Batson, the real work happens long after the gala ends—in the homes of struggling families, in the hands of children receiving their next meal, and in the hearts of those who now have hope where there was once despair.
More Than Just a Night: A Lifeline for Families in Crisis
The gala wasn’t just about raising funds—it was about giving back in real time. Over $10,000 in grocery gift cardswere distributed to families facing food insecurity, ensuring they had access to fresh, nutritious meals. Recognizing that no child should go hungry at school, Katy Angels paid off over $25,000 in school lunch debt for Katy ISD students, relieving financial stress for families who were struggling to make ends meet.
Another $2,000 donation was made to Christ Clinic, a local nonprofit providing essential healthcare to uninsured and underinsured individuals, further reinforcing Katy Angels' commitment to supporting those in need beyond just food assistance.
During the evening, local "Angels" were also honored—individuals and organizations going above and beyond to serve the community, including Ride to Remember, a nonprofit dedicated to ending bullying. More than $50,000 in aid was distributed throughout the night to help those making a difference in Katy.
For Batson and Gottfried, this is the heart of Katy Angels' mission—ensuring that no family has to face hardship alone.
Faith, Family, and Fast Action: The Katy Angels Difference
What sets Katy Angels apart is their rapid response time. While many charities require long wait times or complicated application processes, this organization often provides aid the very same day. Whether it’s a family without food, a single mother struggling to afford diapers, or a senior unable to purchase medication, help arrives quickly.
“We aren’t here to make people prove their struggles—we’re here to serve them,” says Batson. “If someone tells us they need help, we believe them. And we act fast.”
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Founded on Christian values and a mission to serve others, Katy Angels operates with minimal overhead costs, ensuring that nearly every donation goes directly to food, household essentials, and emergency assistance for local families. Volunteers—many of them local parents, business owners, and even children—regularly pack and deliver supplies, reinforcing a sense of community and shared responsibility.
For the Gottfried and Batson families, giving back isn’t just something they do—it’s something they live. Their wives, Ariel Gottfried and Christina Batson, and even their children are active in the organization, spending their weekends helping deliver aid to families in need.
Community Support Makes It Possible
The impact of Katy Angels is only possible because of the generous support of the community. This year’s gala was backed by local businesses that believe in the organization’s mission, including William David Homes, Rodney Jones Law Group, Stellar Bank, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, Houston Strong Roofing Co., Roberts Markland LLP, Alafair Biosciences, LJC, and The Modern Halo.
Several public officials attended the event, including the Katy ISD Superintendent, the Fulshear Police Chief, and the Mayor of Fort Bend County, reinforcing the community-wide commitment to helping struggling families.
“This is what community is all about—helping each other through tough times,” said one attendee. “Katy Angels is proof that when people come together, incredible things happen.”
How You Can Help
While the gala was a success, the work of Katy Angels continues every single day. Community members can help by donating non-perishable food items (canned goods, rice, cereal, soups), hygiene essentials (soap, razors, socks, shoes), baby supplies (diapers, formula, baby food, clothes), home essentials (laundry detergent, disinfecting wipes, paper towels), and over-the-counter medicine (Tylenol, Motrin, allergy meds). Donations can be dropped off at 26077 Nelson Way, Unit 1004, Katy, TX 7749 and monetary donations can also be made at katyangels.net.
A Future Built on Hope
For the families that Katy Angels serves, the gift of food, financial assistance, and support is more than just a handout—it’s a message of hope. It tells them they are not forgotten, they are not alone, and their community is here to lift them up.
As the organization moves forward into 2025, its mission remains the same: serve, give, and bring light into the lives of those who need it most. Because when one family struggles, the entire community feels it—and when one family finds relief, we all grow stronger together.
For more information about Katy Angels, upcoming events, and ways to donate, visit katyangels.net, or contact them at info@katyangels.net or 281-463-8649.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
