Amazon’s impact reaches far beyond its massive logistics network, touching the lives of families and communities across the country. In Phoenix, Amazon’s partnership with Phoenix Children’s Hospital exemplifies this commitment, bringing much-needed holiday cheer to families facing the challenge of hospital stays during the season.
Each December, Phoenix Children’s Hospital transforms a room into “Toyland,” where families can select holiday gifts for their hospitalized children at no cost. This holiday event, made possible by Amazon’s support, gives parents one less thing to worry about. Tim Harrison, vice president of Corporate Partnerships & Special Events at Phoenix Children’s, captures the program’s significance: “Amazon has stepped up for us in a big way to make Toyland possible. If you have ever seen it, there are a lot of moving parts, and it takes a lot of resources to pull off. Not only donating toys, but by sponsoring this program, Amazon ensures that we can create this holiday magic for families at Phoenix Children’s.”
Toyland allows parents to focus on being with their children and enjoying precious moments rather than stressing over holiday logistics. “For families that have a child in the hospital during the holidays, they are dealing with enough,” Harrison explains. “Through Toyland, they don’t need to worry about how they are going to get presents to their kids. We couldn’t do it without the generosity of our community and Amazon’s partnership.” Each year, the program reaches more than 300 families, creating moments of joy and relief during the holiday season.
Amazon’s support for Phoenix Children’s Hospital is a core part of its local community investment strategy, but it represents just one facet of the company’s larger commitment to philanthropy. Through programs like Amazon Future Engineer, the company invests in STEM education for underserved students, opening doors to computer science education and building a tech-skilled workforce of the future. On a national scale, Amazon has also launched significant environmental initiatives, such as The Climate Pledge, to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 — a full decade ahead of the Paris Agreement goals.
These initiatives create meaningful, local impact as well. Amazon’s investments in clean energy provide tangible benefits for communities, such as improved air quality and reduced carbon footprints, especially in areas like Arizona where environmental preservation efforts are critical. Additionally, programs like the Amazon Small Business Academy equip local businesses with tools to grow and compete, driving economic resilience in Arizona’s diverse communities.
Yet, it is initiatives like Toyland that reveal the heart of Amazon’s community engagement. The partnership with Phoenix Children’s Hospital allows the company to support families during times of stress, letting them focus on recovery and healing rather than the pressures of the holiday season. “We couldn’t do it without Amazon’s generosity,” says Harrison, highlighting the company’s role in bringing comfort and joy to hundreds of families every year.
Through its commitment to local causes, Amazon demonstrates how large corporations can use their resources to foster real, lasting impact. Whether through large-scale environmental goals or holiday toy drives, Amazon’s dedication to community support in Phoenix shows a powerful model of corporate responsibility that extends well beyond business as usual.
Amazon Giving by the Numbers
Amazon’s commitment to community impact and innovation goes beyond words, with its efforts quantified by impressive numbers. From supporting families at Phoenix Children’s Hospital to pioneering initiatives in education and environmental sustainability, these figures reflect Amazon’s far-reaching contributions. Here’s a snapshot of the impact Amazon is making through its philanthropic and corporate responsibility programs.
- 300+ Families Served: Each year, more than 300 families benefit from Amazon’s Toyland partnership with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, receiving holiday gifts for young patients and their siblings at no cost.
- 6,000 Toys Donated: In 2023, Amazon helped deliver approximately 6,000 toys to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, ensuring that every child had a gift during the holiday season.
- $100 Million in STEM Education: Since 2018, Amazon has invested more than $100 million in the Amazon Future Engineer program, providing resources, scholarships and internships to inspire and support students in pursuing STEM careers in numerous countries around the world.
- 2040 Climate Pledge Goal: Amazon has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 — 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement timeline.
- Renewable Energy Leader: Amazon is one of the world’s largest corporate purchasers of renewable energy, with projects worldwide supporting The Climate Pledge.
- 100,000+ Small Businesses Supported: Through international initiatives like the Amazon Small Business Academy, Amazon provides tools and resources to help more than 100,000 small businesses thrive.
Photos courtesy of Amazon
Tyler Butler, a trailblazer in ESG and corporate citizenship, has led Fortune 500 sustainability programs, contributed to two IPOs and founded Collaboration for Good. With degrees from ASU, Boston College and Cornell, she writes for top publications and serves as head of Public Affairs for Phoenix Rising FC.
