Archives for May 2020

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/CC_hPb9h6gc”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1590521082550{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As part of their In the Community Conversations, Thunderbirds’ 2020 Tournament Chairman Tim Woods held a virtual discussion with Joanne Thomson, President and CEO of Benevilla. The two leaders discussed the current challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and identify how the community can continue to support local non-profits throughout the Valley of the Sun.

“We started many years ago by a couple of different congregations that were seeing a need for human services in the area,” said Thomson. “Del Webb built these beautiful communities out here for seniors. We’ve since grown into helping every age in the community and are all about enriching people’s lives.”

Thomson shared how COVID-19 has made them change their operations.

“Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, our during-the-day programs have temporarily closed down,” said Thomson. “But we have staff still on board that are calling our caregivers every week to see how they’re doing and what other resources we could offer.”

Thomson also mentioned how virtual access has helped them operate during the crisis.

“Anyone can go on our website, Benevilla.org, and go to our virtual life enrichment activities,” she said. “And then we have our home services. We’ve expanded this program into anybody who does not feel comfortable going to grocery stores anymore. We have staff who are able to go to the grocery stores for people and we still have a wonderful group of volunteers who are going to the stores for people and picking up prescriptions [for example].”

How you can help Benevilla right now:

“Definitely donate,” said Thomson. “Donate to local non-profits. We do a lot of things that are free for the community like our home services and our caregiver support groups. But in order to keep doing that we need people to help us. Also volunteering. So if somebody wants to volunteer, please reach out. We would love to have that.” · Learn more about Benevilla: www.Benevilla.org

Amazon Wishlist | Website for monetary donations (if you have one)

Phone number and address

(623) 584-4999

16752 N. Greasewood St. Surprise, AZ 85378

Benevilla is applicable for Arizona State Tax Credit donations – Benevilla’s Qualifying Charitable Organization code is 20493[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/fbDouQRYmSQ”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1590081380325{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The Thunderbirds are continuing to reach out to local charities during the current health crisis to identify specific needs and rally the community around worthy causes through their “In the Community Conversations” segments. Today’s segment features 2021 WM Phoenix Open Assistant Tournament Chairman Michael Golding and Kerry Schulman, CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Phoenix. They discussed the challenges surrounding business operations during the current crisis and the importance of vigilance and community involvement, especially for non-profit organizations in the Valley of the Sun.

The families who benefit from Ronald McDonald House travel far from home to receive treatment for their child at world-renowned pediatric centers located in metropolitan Phoenix. Their child’s treatment may last a day, a month, or sometimes even longer. It’s a long time to be away from home and often times commuting or staying at a hotel is either impossible or financially challenging for a family. Ronald McDonald House is able to help families overcome these obstacles by providing low-cost, temporary housing that is near their child’s hospital or medical center.

Schulman spoke about the challenges of operating during the current health crisis.

“Now, with COVID impacting everything, only one parent is allowed to be on campus at a time with the child,” said Schulman. “So we’re partnering with Airbnb in case we have to put families off campus until we can have accommodations for them here. And we have some great hotel partners that we have relationships with on a global level that we can put families in if we need to until we have room.”

How you can help Ronald McDonald House right now?

“Meals have been critical,” said Schulman. “How do we feed these families so they have the proper nutrition and a healthy, well-balanced meal to come home to at night? Really, if you have the flexibility in your budget – I know things are so tight – we just have an ongoing need for community support and we can’t do what we do without the community.” Learn more about Ronald McDonald House by visiting their website.

Learn how to volunteer | Donate to Ronald McDonald House[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1589844094223{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The Thunderbirds are no strangers to charities like St. Mary’s Food Bank and United Food Bank and their mission to alleviate hunger through the gathering and distribution of food. In fact, The Thunderbirds routinely donate to these community-based organizations that improve the quality of life for Arizonans in need. They are one of hundreds of Valley charities that have had to change their business operations to combat the effects of the current health crisis here in the United States and across the world.

To lend a hand, 50 Thunderbirds visited St. Mary’s Food Bank and United Food Bank over the weekend to help the staff pack boxes of food to feed hungry Arizonans and people in need.[/vc_column_text][mk_gallery images=”30598,30574,30596,30594,30592,30590,30588,30586,30580,30578,30576,30582″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1589916744717{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]“These vital organizations do an amazing job helping hungry people in our community regardless of the circumstances,” said Thunderbirds Big Chief Chance Cozby. “Obviously, the current health crisis has impacted their ability to serve the community in the same ways they have in the past, but through volunteer support and the backing of the community at large, we know we can come together and provide aid and assistance to these as much as we can.”

To get involved and support:

St. Mary’s Food Bank | United Food Bank[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/58_-K3W835Y”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1589586516959{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Last year’s WM Phoenix Open tournament chairman Tim Woods continues The Thunderbirds’ “In the Community Conversations” with Brent Downs, Executive Director of St. Joseph the Worker. They talked about the challenges surrounding business operations during the current health crisis and the importance of vigilance and community involvement, especially for non-profit organizations in the Valley of the Sun.

“We connect clients with employment and then we try to remove every barrier a client needs to go back to work,” said Downs. “So if it’s tools, bus passes, transportation or certifications, whatever those things are that someone needs to start work right now, we provide all those things.”

Downs stated the importance of organizations like St. Joseph the Worker, especially during high unemployment numbers created from stay-at-home orders throughout the country.

“When one out of every six Americans are out of work, St. Joseph the Worker is needed more than ever,” said Downs. “The staff at St. Joseph the Worker has made the commitment to stay open during these times. And throughout the crisis, we’ve met clients. We met with them now on a more virtual basis when needed so they’re not wandering around going to 50 different places amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”

How you can help St. Joseph the Worker right now

“Right now, it’s a real challenge for us from a funding standpoint,” said Downs. “So St. Joseph the Worker could use that hand up for our organization so we can provide that hand up to our clients. And one of the big things I really like for people to do is simply tell your friends about us. For us, it’s about getting the word out.” Learn more about St. Joseph the Worker by visiting their website.

Learn how to volunteer | Donate to St. Joseph the Worker[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/6e5E5qrSdUQ”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1589389057275{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]In the latest edition of The Thunderbirds’ “In the Community Conversations”,  2021 Tournament Chairman Scott Jenkins held a virtual discussion with Nikki Kontz, Clinical Director of Teen Lifeline. The two leaders discussed the current challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and identify how the community can continue the fight against teen suicide and provide hope to suffering young people throughout the Valley of the Sun.

“Teen Lifeline is probably best known for our crisis hotline services,” said Kontz. “What we do is we take calls and texts from kids and teenagers that are struggling, give them a place to talk – to open up – with no judgment, a place where they are listened to and heard and feel like they can make a connection to hope.”

Kontz stated the uncertainty caused by the current health crisis has led to an increase in calls and significant challenges with their operating procedures.

“We’re seeing an increase of calls and text messages from kids who are struggling,” said Kontz. “This feeling is exacerbated [by COVID-19] by a feeling of not being able to escape. There’s a certain amount of activity they can do, but they can’t do that in the confines of school where there was that protection. So many kids don’t have access to parks or don’t have the ability to take a walk around their neighborhood or have that interaction they normally get at school.”

Training and certification during the national health crisis also has presented unique challenges Teen Lifeline must overcome in order to serve the community.

“We do a lot of community education about suicide prevention,” said Kontz. “How to identify someone who might be at risk for suicide, what to do, and how to connect to them. We do that in the classrooms with kids, but [since COVID-19] we were approved to be the pilot study to convert in-person training to a cirtual training. So we’re able to convert that program and make sure people are safe and connected in their communities.

How you can help Teen Lifeline right now:

“The things we need most right now to help us to keep our doors open is to really support our volunteers,” said Kontz. “Anything from food donations to things that help with the constant cleaning schedule like disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes. And we do have an Amazon wishlist and people can connect through that.”

Learn more about Teen Lifeline by visiting their website: https://teenlifeline.org/

Teen Lifeline crisis hotline – 800-248-8336

Learn how to volunteer  | Donate to Teen Lifeline[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]