Arizonans for Children

The holidays can be brutal for families who are effected by the foster care system.  For the kids each holiday represents a milestone of their time in care. Thanks for our community we can make the holidays a bit more cheerful. The University of Phoenix shared their fantastic creations from a Gingerbread House and Christmas Tree contest with Arizonans for Children.  M Load Services helped get these beautifully decorated trees and gingerbread houses to the Phoenix Visitation Center.  We could not have done it without their help!  Thank you Alexander & Gavin! The children at the Visitation Center watched with wonder as tree after tree and gingerbread house after gingerbread house were pulled from the moving truck.  All excited to see what would come in next! The generosity of The University of Phoenix has transformed the Arizonans for Children Phoenix Visitation Center into a holiday wonderland....

What a Saturday! We wrapped, wrapped and wrapped thanks to all the volunteer support that came out ready to get things done! We all were so busy and running around I didn't snap nearly all the pictures I wanted to.  Scout Cole was working on his Eagle project at the Arizonans for Children Mesa Visitation Center this evening.  He and his team of over 50 volunteers did a deep clean and sanitize of the entire center, something that was greatly needed. Keeping vulnerable kids visits safe and healthy, proving his natural leadership skills was a fantastic way to have a BIG impact on the lives of those we serve along with staff and volunteers. Spotlessly clean refrigerator! Completely disinfected and sanitized nursery! Floors, tables, chairs, highchairs and booster seats scrubbed 100% clean! Cleaned and organized! In addition to collecting all the cleaning supplies Cole also collected new toys for the Annual Arizonans f...

I always start reflecting and remembering past holidays this time of year.  Some with not so great memories and some with a warm heart and laughter. For a couple years when my kids were young the family that owned the company I worked for invited us to their family Christmas party.  Raising my kids as a single mother things were often financially tight, I was tired all the time and we seemed to always be hurrying somewhere.  But the years we went to this party stand out in my mind because in all the drama and chaos of a divorce and the holidays themselves I can still see my kids being a part of their traditions, I can hear their laughter and remember their smiles and hugs. My kids got to "pull" taffy, go caroling in the neighborhood, participate in a white elephant gift exchange and sing along to the 12 Days of Christmas.  It's that 12 Days of Christmas song time that stands out the most.  The family divided into groups and each group sang the part of one ...