Homeless Valley Veterans Receive a “Hand-Up” at 11^th Annual Arizona StandDown

3-Day Event at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum Connecting At-Risk Veterans with Services

More than 1,100 homeless and at-risk military veterans are expected to receive temporary haven and assistance during the 2012 Arizona StandDown, a three-day event beginning Friday, February 3^rd through Sunday morning, February 5^th at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

StandDown is a military term that refers to a brief period of time for a solider to leave an active combat area, to rest and regain strength before returning to battle.  The Arizona StandDown seeks to offer a hand up to former members of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Valley who now battle with homelessness and life on the streets.  The event’s goals are to increase the community’s awareness of the plight of the homeless American veteran. A variety of social service providers are brought together to advise and assist veterans on reintegrating back into our communities via housing and support services.  The event includes: a robust Municipal and Superior Court System, full service Motor Vehicle Division office on-site, Social Security Administration office, a myriad services housing programs, medical clinic, and other wellness services including acupuncture and massage.

The event will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Friday, February 3rd, with a welcome from Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton (confirmed), AZ Department Directors Col. Strickland, Trailor and Carter, VA Health Care System Interim Director Robbins and other elected officials and guests (invited).

Who: As many as 1,100 homeless and at-risk military veterans are expected during the 3-day event.  Door opening welcome featuring Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and invited guests will occur at 7:45 a.m. on Friday morning.  Elected officials are invited to give back during mealtimes by serving StandDown participants at 12pm lunch and a 5pm dinner service later that day. Media is invited and there will be opportunities for interviews with homeless or at-risk veterans.

What: 2012 Arizona StandDown, a 3-day event benefitting homeless and at-risk military veterans.

Where: Veterans Memorial Coliseum – 1826 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix– North Exhibit Hall.  Enter 17^th Ave offMcDowell Road, park north of the Coliseum and enter through the down staircase.  Please check in at volunteer registration table.

When: A brief 15-minute StandDown welcome will be held on Friday, February 3^rd at 7:45 am. Elected official and media opportunities to engage with StandDown participants will be during lunch at 12 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. on Friday

Why: To provide rest and recuperation for homeless veterans and connect them with housing and services to regain independence.

Happy Holidays!

“We are fortunate to be a recipient of this year’s drive.  There are over 8,000 homeless individuals in Maricopa County and many struggle with complex issues, such as mental illness and addiction, that prevent them from seeking shelter.  Our goal this winter is to help keep the homeless safe, warm and encourage them to engage our services so we may empower them to end their homelessness.  This drive will assist us significantly in achieving that goal,” said Brenda Cash, Volunteer and Community Relations Coordinator at CASS.

There are currently two drop-off locations:

East Valley: Ayers Saint Gross Architects & Planners

60 East Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 701, Tempe, AZ 85251

Donations accepted through Friday, December 16th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. East Valley contact: Nakia Neves, 602.312.6601.

Central: Hair Pollution (Way Cool Hair) @ 1524 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ  85006 Donations accepted through Friday, December 16th from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Special Donations will also be accepted during special Open House Hours on Saturday, December 17^th from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Sunday, December 18^th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Central/Main contact: Bill Holmes, 602.348.9149.

CASS also needs donations of: rolls of quarters, gift cards, toiletries, socks and any cash donations should be made out to CASS.  For more information on the charity visit www.cassaz.org.  If you would like to volunteer for the sleeping bag drive or would like to become a drop-off, please call, Bill Holmes, originator of the drive at (602) 348-9149.  If you need a pick-up for a big sleeping bag drop, Camelback Moving will volunteer for pick-ups, please call Bridget Argana @ 480-231-3582. All update information will be on Facebook under the 5th Annual Sleeping Bag & Backpack Drive.

Arizona Foundation for Women Donates $278,500 to 18 Valley Non-Profit Organizations

PHOENIX, AZ – Jodi Liggett, Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Foundation for Women (AFW), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that invests in and promotes innovative solutions to fulfill the unmet needs of Arizona’s women and children, proudly announced today that 18 Valley organizations will receive $278,500 to carry out the mission of the organization. “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to contribute such a substantial amount in these difficult economic times to help these worthy organizations carry out their important work,” said Liggett.

There are a number of separate funds managed by the Arizona Foundation for Women that provided the grants this year. TheDeborah G. Carstens Grant Fund and the AFW General Grant Fund support organizations that motivate and empower women and girls to take responsibility for their economic lives by developing skills, building self-esteem and identifying challenges that impede their success. The following organizations were awarded grants:

2011 Deborah G. Carstens Grant Fund Recipients

Travel With Kids

simmons@travelwithkids.tv

602-667-9265   602-326-9048

 Travel With Kids Premiere Party Fundraiser

To celebrate its debut on KAET-PBS in Arizona, Travel With Kids has

partnered with Raising Arizona Kids to host a fundraiser

for Vista Colina Emergency Shelter

Phoenix(November 1, 2011) – Traveling with children can be a daunting activity that leaves many families planting their feet securely at home. However, the award-winning, visually stunning, Travel With Kids series maps out the best of each fascinating destination they visit (49 episodes in all) and shows how families can make their trips entertaining and educational while introducing young adventurers to local customs, food, and breath-taking scenery.  In this internationally-broadcast and critically-acclaimed series, viewers follow a local Arizona family - Jeremy Simmons (Dad), Carrie Whitten Simmons (Mom) and their two boys Nathan (age 11) and Seamus (age 9) – known on-camera as the Roberts family – as they experience each new destination. Designed to educate families about other countries and places in theUnited States, the series presents the history and culture of a destination in an innovative manner that keeps viewers of all ages engaged.   In addition, the on-camera host parents offer expert travel tips while Nathan and Seamus offer comic relief with silly antics and adventure activities.

As part of its nationwide roll-out on PBS, Travel With Kids will be airing on KAET-PBS Channel 8 on Sundays at 12:00pm starting November 13.  To celebrate, Travel With Kids has partnered with Raising Arizona Kids, a family magazine filled with tips for Arizona parents, to host a Premiere Party Fundraiser at Picture Show Paradise Valley.  Bring the kids November 10 at 6:00pm at Picture Show inside Paradise Valley Mall and meet the on-camera family, enjoy finger foods and drinks, fun kids’ activities and get an exclusive sneak peek look at a Travel With Kids episode. Entry is by donation; 100% of donations benefit Vista Colina Emergency Shelter, an affiliate of Central Arizona Shelter Services.  This family homeless shelter serviced 98% first-time homeless families last year and needs your help. For more information, or to reserve your seats, visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=163065310450650

On-camera host Mom, Carrie, says: “We meet so many families as we travel around the world – families with all different means and backgrounds.  Traveling really opens up children’s eyes to the world around them. But there is so much need right here in our community too. That’s why we decided to incorporate the fundraiser for Vista Colina Family Homeless Shelter into our premiere.” On camera Dad, Jeremy, adds: “Kids want to feel like they can help improve the community!  This is one way families can give back together.”  Nathan points out “There are lots of other ways to help. You can donate time serving at a homeless shelter together, or gather items the shelter needs like shampoos and soaps” Seamus adds, “Or sell stuff and donate the money.”

Travel With Kids will air on KAET-PBS Channel 8 at Sundays at 12:00pm starting November 13 and is also available on DVD (available through www.travelwithkids.tv and www.shoppbs.org). Each DVD comes with a slew of bonus features including a “Plan Your Trip” section, which hosts everything from hotel featurettes, itinerary planning, packing tips and lists of available resources; and an “At Home” section, which offers destination-oriented craft projects, vocabulary lessons and recipes to try from home.

Winners of the Dove Foundation Seal of Approval, the Travel With Kids series is age-appropriate for the whole family. Young globe-trotters won’t realize how much education they will absorb from Travel With Kids. Through colorful, simple narration, the series introduces the geographical, geological and governmental histories of the featured region and provides dozens of facts and tips – including statistics, historical information, Web sites, etc. – that pop right up on screen in amusing, easy-to-read graphics. In addition, the Roberts explore each region’s natural surrounds through family-friendly, and often adrenaline pumping, activities.  Destinations are covered in depth, including lodging, museums, attractions, restaurants, adventure activities and more. The Travel With Kids series makes planning any trip fun, educational and a treasured family affair. Armchair travelers will appreciate the scenery and the extensive historical and cultural information, and the kids will relish watching the boys clown around.

The Travel With Kids series has won several awards including the Telly Award, iParenting Media award, KIDS First! Endorsement, the Dove Foundation Family Seal of Approval and the Adding Wisdom award. Destinations covered by the series include Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,Hawaii,Mexico,London,New York,Paris,Ireland,Florida,Bahamas,Alaska,Scotland,Jamaica,Costa Rica andPeru.

Travel With Kids is produced by Equator Creative Media, a travel multimedia production company promoting independent adventure travel for the family.  The PBS airing is brought to you by Apple Vacations, Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, Mousemail.com and CSA Travel Protection.   Travel With Kids will air on Sundays at 12:00pm on KAET-PBS Channel 8.  For more information on the show, or additional interview material and images, email Carrie Simmons at simmons@travelwithkids.tv or call 602-667-9265.

]]> http://www.cassaz.org/travel-with-kids-premiere-party-fundraiser/feed/ 3 http://www.cassaz.org/a-celebration-of-pearl-jam/ http://www.cassaz.org/a-celebration-of-pearl-jam/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:24:11 +0000 CASS http://www.cassaz.org/?p=630 Continue reading →]]> By Mandy Zajac, Tribune

 Co-Hosts Eight and Radio Station X103.9 Sponsor Flannel Drive,

Ask Fans to Bring Donations for Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)

PHOENIX…Oct. 11, 2011…Aficionados of the band Pearl Jam will gather to screen Pearl Jam Twenty, a definitive film portrait by award-winning director and music journalist Cameron Crowe, at 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 21. Eight, Arizona PBS and radio station X103.9 are co-sponsoring the free public event to benefit Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) in the Cronkite/Eight Building at Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix Campus.

The two-hour PBS documentary chronicles the years leading up to Pearl Jam’s formation and the chaos that ensued after their rise to mega-stardom, followed by the band’s step back and regrouping to create a work culture that would sustain them. Crowe carved the tribute from over 1,200 hours of rare and never-before-seen footage, plus 24 hours of recently shot concert and interview footage.

“This event offers fans the next best thing to a live Pearl Jam concert, and it’s free,” said Eight General Manager Kelly McCullough. “Eight and X103.9 are pleased to team up as hosts and to partner with CASS by collecting donations for the Valley homeless they serve.”

Event-goers are asked to bring donations for the CASS Flannel Drive including clothing, blankets, socks and underwear. For over 25 years, CASS has been empowering men, women and children with diverse needs to end their homelessness by providing shelter and supportive services. For more information, visit http://www.cassaz.org/. X103.9 also will collect donations the week of the event at van stops Valley-wide. Visit http://www.x1039phoenix.com/ for details.

The Pearl Jam event begins at 8:00 p.m. with X103.9 providing refreshments and prizes and CASS collecting donations in the First Amendment Forum at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Communication at 555 N. Central Avenue. The Pearl Jam Twenty screening begins promptly at 9:00 p.m. For a map, parking information and to register, visit azpbs.org/pearljam/.

Pearl Jam Twenty is the second program in the nine-part PBS Arts Fall Festival series airing 9:00 p.m. Fridays on Eight, Arizona PBS through December 16. The unusual mix of platforms and performances also includes behind-the scenes interviews and mini-documentaries from nine different American locales with celebrity hosts. The series kicks off this Friday, October 14, with a production of H.M.S. Pinafore from Minneapolis.

Eight, Arizona PBS specializes in the education of children, in-depth news and public affairs, lifelong learning, and the celebration of arts and culture — utilizing the power of noncommercial television, the Internet, educational outreach services and community-based initiatives. The PBS station began broadcasting from the campus of Arizona State University on January 30, 1961.  Now more than 80 percent of Arizonans receive the signal through a network of translators, cable and satellite systems.  With more than 1 million viewers each week, Eight consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country.  Arizonans provide more than 60 percent of the station’s annual budget. For more information, visit azpbs.org. Eight is a member-supported service of Arizona State University.

(Based on Quarterly orders)

Jelly – 60 Jars

Peanut Butter – 60 Jars

Mac N Cheese – 60 Boxes

Spaghetti – 60 Boxes

Spaghetti Sauce – 60 Cans

Canned Tomatoes – 60 Cans

Canned Vegetables – 60 Cans

Canned Beans – 60 Cans

Canned Fruit – 60 Cans

Canned Tuna, Chicken, Beef – 120 Cans

Crystal Light Drink Mix – 60 Qts.

Paramalat Boxed Milk – 60 Qts.

Soup – 60 Cans

Cereal – 60 Boxes

Saltines – 15 Boxes

]]> http://www.cassaz.org/critical-need-family-food-boxes/feed/ 0 http://www.cassaz.org/guitar-for-charity-auction-to-benefit-central-arizona-shelter-services-2/ http://www.cassaz.org/guitar-for-charity-auction-to-benefit-central-arizona-shelter-services-2/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:00:17 +0000 CASS http://www.cassaz.org/?p=523 Continue reading →]]>

Scottsdale, Ariz., resident and singer-songwriter Nils Lofgren and his wife Amy are auctioning one of their rare guitars, a one-of-a-kind “Steadman Strat,” to benefit Central Arizona Shelter Services and Vista del Camino social service agency.

The Fender Stratocaster guitar is painted with original artwork by Ralph Steadman, who is known for his work with author Hunter S. Thompson.  “If you have an original Steadman, it’s been stolen,” claims famed gonzo artist Ralph Steadman, who doesn’t sell his original paintings.

The winning bidder could receive a tuning and crash course in blues guitar from Lofgren, a multi-instrumentalist and member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.

The guitar will be on display starting in August at the Musical Instrument Museum.

Those interested in bidding and getting details can go tohttp://www.nilslofgren.com/CharityAuction.html.