Looking Good – 2019 Holiday Season Standouts

During the holiday season, our focus was on local standouts in philanthropy.

Sprouts Volunteers Build Learning Gardens
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation recently led a National Day of Service for Sprouts team members nationwide. Here in Phoenix, furthering Sprouts’ significant financial contributions, Sprouts team members refreshed the garden area at Spaces of Opportunity in the South Phoenix Roosevelt community and, partnering with HonorHealth employees, built a learning garden for students at Desert View Elementary School in Sunnyslope. Created in 2015, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation focuses on empowering individuals, especially children, to live healthier lives by supporting programs that teach nutrition education and increase access to fresh, nutritious food.

Cigna Volunteers Sew Relief
A group of Cigna volunteers known as “A Common Thread” made and donated 639 caps and 30 port pillows to patients at 10 Valley locations of Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers. A Common Thread started the community service project in 2014 as a result of Cigna’s national partnership with the March of Dimes. The caps provide warmth for patients facing serious health challenges.

Thanksgiving Thanks Accrue to Desert Financial
Desert Financial, the largest Arizona-based credit union, partnered with St. Mary’s Food Bank to match turkey donations made by the public during its 2019 Thanksgiving drive and distribution. By matching the community’s donations, Desert Financial aimed to help close a massive gap faced by the Food Bank this past year in providing Holiday Food Boxes for Thanksgiving, the match made possible through Desert Financial’s Random Acts of Kindness program, which aims to start a #KindnessRevolution with surprise moments of kindness and joy, benefiting individuals and nonprofits around the Valley.

HDE’s Big Events Result in Big Giving
Twelve signature events comprise HDE Agency’s roster for the 2019 year, which saw record-breaking turnout with more than 140,000 attendees. Designating a percentage to the community, the local events company raised $156,600 that it donated to local nonprofits, among which were the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, Junior Achievement of Arizona and HeartStrings Foundation.

FirstService Residential Sends Cheer to Phoenix Children’s Hospital
FirstService Residential, Arizona’s leading HOA management company, successfully collected and donated hundreds of toys, books, art supplies and $600 worth of gift cards to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. All donations were collected as part of a social purpose initiative at FirstService Residential’s annual conference and expo in November.

Barro’s Pizza Hosts Holiday Hunger Fight
Barro’s Pizza did its part once again in the fight against hunger in Arizona, hosting its eighth annual Doran Barro Holiday Hunger Fight benefiting St. Mary’s Food Bank. Donating 100 percent of the proceeds from all 43 Barro’s locations on a designated day in early December, the Barro family raised $260,098.64 — which translates to 1,820,690 meals — to help those in Arizona facing hard times during the holidays.