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    Kilowatts for a Cause

    Texas electricity customers can now choose to give to their favorite nonprofit

    CultureMap Create
    Oct 26, 2023 | 3:11 pm

    The season of giving and gratitude is almost here, and electricity customers in Texas now have a new way to support charitable organizations that matter to them — all by doing something as simple as turning on their light switch.

    Through Reliant's new Choose to Give program, customers choose a nonprofit to support as part of their electricity plan.

    When the customer signs up, Reliant makes an up-front $100 contribution to the nonprofit, plus Reliant will donate an amount equal to 5 percent of the customer’s annual energy charges, making an even bigger impact for the nonprofit.

    “Reliant cares deeply about the people and communities we serve, and we’re no stranger to offering electricity plans that support nonprofits doing inspiring work,” says Elizabeth Killinger, president of Reliant. “The Choose to Give program provides customers an opportunity to connect to their communities in a meaningful and impactful way.”

    The program launched with two Choose to Give plans, benefiting the following organizations:

    The American Heart Association is on a mission to save and improve the lives of those affected by heart disease and stroke, two of the most common causes of death in Texas. When customers sign up for this plan, their energy usage will support lifesaving medical research and resources for heart failure patients to better manage their health.

    March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. Its goal is to end preventable maternal and preterm birth health risks, benefiting communities in Texas. When customers enroll in this plan, they will impact a family’s life with things like essential baby items, newborn screenings, innovative prematurity research, and more.

    Reliant already has longstanding relationships with these two organizations, having given more than $2 million previously through legacy programs.

    There are plans to expand the list of Choose to Give partner organizations, giving Texans even more opportunities to make a difference by supporting a nonprofit they are passionate about. In 2024, customers will have the opportunity to provide recommendations for organizations they would like to see added to the Choose to Give program.

    Customers enrolled in the Choose to Give plan of their choice will also enjoy a fixed energy charge for the length of their term, convenient account management tools, an industry-leading app, and 24/7 customer service and support.

    To learn more about the program and how to enroll, visit reliant.com/choosetogive.

    Reliant AHA

    Photo courtesy of Reliant

    The American Heart Association is one of the beneficiaries of Reliant Choose to Give.

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    festive cities

    Houston dazzles among top 10 most festive cities in America for 2025

    Amber Heckler
    Nov 26, 2025 | 12:30 pm
    Pedestrian bridge to River Oaks
    River Oaks Christmas Lights in Houston TX/Facebook
    The River Oaks Christmas Lights are a fun place to take families.

    Houston has once again landed a coveted spot on Thumbtack's annual ranking of the most festive American cities in 2025.

    Home services platform Thumbtack analyzed holiday light installation requests from customers from October 2024 to 2025 to determine the most festive U.S. cities. Rankings were based on the "relative frequency" of requests after being adjusted for the population of each state and metro area.

    Houston ranked as the 6th most festive U.S. city this year, dropping two spots from its former No. 4 rank in 2024.

    Locals searching for inspiration for their homes can find it at the many twinkly displays illuminating Houston for the holidays, from the iconic City Lights to the rustic Dewberry Farm light show. And the holiday season is beginning earlier with every passing year, according to Thumbtack.

    "Homeowners are layering their look from October through December, swapping out pumpkins for pine boughs and adding sparkle as the season unfolds," the report said.

    Other festive holiday events happening around Houston include cheery pop-up bars, holiday markets, and much more. CultureMap readers can also keep up with all of Houston's holiday happenings in our special editorial series.

    Other big Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio also all landed top-10 spots in the report, proving the Lone Star State is much more festive than the rest of the country.

    "From Texas to Florida, the South is setting the standard for holiday spirit, and in true Texas fashion, bigger is definitely brighter," the report said. "Mild winters and a strong sense of community keep the Lone Star State shining at the top."

    Thumbtack's top 10 most festive U.S. cities in 2024 are:

    • No. 1 – Austin, Texas
    • No. 2 – Dallas, Texas
    • No. 3 – Seattle, Washington
    • No. 4 – Las Vegas, Nevada
    • No. 5 – Sacramento, California
    • No. 6 – Houston, Texas
    • No. 7 – San Francisco, California
    • No. 8 – Charlotte, North Carolina
    • No. 9 – San Antonio, Texas
    • No. 10 – Atlanta, Georgia
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