The Republic's annual Season for Sharing kicks off its 2022 holiday fundraising appeal to help struggling Arizonans, families, refugees and students.
After his brother died during the World Trade Center attack, Phil Manning and Carolyn Campbell were looking for ways to honor his memory. Then they read about an Afghan mom and kids relocating to Arizona as refugees.
The children were similar in age to the then-couple's."She’s not different from me, other than she’s left her home and can’t go back,” Campbell said. They reached out to help and found out the family mostly needed housewares and basic furniture. Aiding one family led to helping multiple refugee families — and the founding of the Tempe-based Welcome to America Project. “It just seemed like a great way to do something other than just put up a flag and say, ‘God Bless America.' Let’s do something that actually helps people,” Manning said. last year as part of The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing campaign. On Nov. 13, The Republic launches this year's Season for Sharing fundraising and grant-making effort. Fundraising continues through Jan. 31; grants will be awarded in early 2023. More than 250 nonprofits have applied.Since 1993, Season for Sharing has raised and given away almost $72 million. The Republic pays administrative and promotional costs, which means 100% of donations go to charities statewide that help at-risk children and families, support teachers and students, and provide services for older adults. Grants are made possible primarily through individual gifts and by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The Arizona Community Foundation is a fundraising partner. Those who buy tickets to the holidayWhen Patricia McFall, a 72-year-old Army veteran and retired nurse, noticed her Tolleson home needed repairs, she turned to Google. “Lord, I can’t do the repairs.... I said, 'What am I gonna do?" she said."It pulled up Habitat for Humanity." Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona's"Aging in Place" program helps seniors with home repairs and modifications and community resources. The goal is to help them maintain their independence.A Habitat inspection determined that fire alarms and window screens needed replacing and a front security door should be installed. Flooring and bathroom modifications for safety would also help. “We focus more on the people who already have a home and … on bettering their home. Making it a safe place, somewhere they can continue to live,” Habitat's Sandybell Rodriguez said. McFall values her independence and loves being in her home. While recovering from a stroke two years ago, she initially stayed at a senior care facility and doesn’t want to go back.Joseline Zepeda-Lopez was struggling with reading comprehension in her third-grade class at her Avondale school when a teacher recommended she join an afterschool on-campus reading program, Read Better Be Better. Within a month, mom Sandra and dad Jose said she was reading more books and thriving in school. Joseline also puts more effort into spelling out words and even coloring, they say.Read Better Be Better is an afterschool literacy program that pairs middle school students and third-graders to read together two days a week. The goal? Promote and improve reading comprehension and to give students an opportunity to become leaders. West Phoenix based Read Better Be Better received a $7,500 Season for Sharing grant last year to support the program. Founder Sophie Allen-Etchart learned from speaking to educators that Arizona students were consistently scoring low on standardized reading tests. She had previous experience in implementing an international literacy program for children in Peru. “Reading comprehension for me is absolutely … not a luxury," Allen-Etchart said."Unless you fundamentally understand what you’re reading, you’re not going to continue onto that trajectory of self-actualization.”“Teachers are doing incredible work, but they can’t do everything,” Allen-Etchart said.The Welcome to America Project was key to Aziz Safi getting settled in Arizona after fleeing Afghanistan in August 2021, leaving his children, wife and parents behind. For 13 years, he'd served as a police officer alongside the U.S. military and embassy. While at work, Aziz received notice that he had to leave the building immediately. Taliban forces were headed in his direction and were overtaking the entire city of Kabul. "I am waiting for that day ... that I meet my family at the airport and welcome them. That is my only hope, my only dream I am just looking forward too," Safi said. "I was just by myself," Safi said." provided me everything I needed. I am very thankful." Safi is working as an accountant. And he's paying it forward, volunteering to repair donated bicycles that are given to refugee families. "Right now, I am just trying to help other refugees like me," he said."I know the situation they are facing."
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