Give a Little Bit

Tomorrow, April 9th, is Arizona Gives Day - a day to give back to our community by encouraging Arizonans to donate to charities, programs, groups, or any nonprofit organization in the state. You may make donations through the Arizona Gives' website or you can chose to donate to any local organization of your choice.  (Note: If you donate through the Arizona Gives' website, only 93.1% of your donation will go to the nonprofit, with the remaining 6.9% going to the expenses for hosting this event. Visit here for more details.) And, hey, if you're reading this and you aren't from Arizona, why not still give to a nonprofit in your community. Or, better yet, maybe give of yourself by volunteering for the day. No matter what you do, the day is about giving back - not because it is the holiday season or some tragedy happened in the world, but simply because it's April 9th, and you want to do your part, even if i'ts just a little bit, to help out people in your community. ...


For those in Arizona (and beyond, if you'd like to donate to one of our nonprofits), here are a few outstanding nonprofits that you might consider donating to:

Mission of Mercy
This faith-based health care clinic actually started in Pennsylvania in 1994, but has expanded into other states, including Maryland, Texas, and Arizona. It provides free health care, dental care and free prescription medications to the uninsured, under-insured, and those who have "fallen through the cracks" in our health care system. They are a great asset to our community and do amazing things to help people who are in need. To read more about Mission of Mercy or to donate, click here.

Gabriel's Angels
A pet-therapy program for at-risk children, whose mission is to heal children, nurture their emotional development and enhance the quality of their lives. Their philosophy is simply and heartwarming: "Our work is driven by a passionate belief that the unconditional love of a dog can heal a child." To read more about Gabriel's Angels or to donate, click here.

Rosie's House
Founded in 1996 by Rosebell and Woody Schurz, Rosie's House is a music academy for children in inner-city Phoenix. The academy offers free music training for children between the ages of 5-18 in the areas of strings, woodwinds, brass, guitar, piano an voice. To read more about Rosie's House or to donate, click here.

PSA Art Awakenings
This program - born out of PSA (People Service Action) Behavioral Health Agency - offers a safe, supportive environment for adults and children who have behavioral health challenges to explore and develop their artistic skills. It promotes empowerment and recovery through the power of creative expression. There are several "studios" throughout the state where they offer instruction in visual art, poetry, storytelling, music, movement and drama, in addition to pre-job training and education. To read more about PSA Art Awakenings or to donate, click here.

Soldier's Best Friend
Another pet-therapy program, but this time for military veterans who are suffering from PTSD or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Their mission is to "help our war heroes improve in their symptoms of PTSD, adjust back to civilian life, lead a more productive life and help them build self esteem. [They] also want to help the pet overpopulation problem by helping place shelter or rescue dogs into good homes." To read more about Soldier's Best Friend or to donate, click here.

Fresh Start Women's Foundation
As their website state's, Fresh Start is dedicated to helping women help themselves. It is a nonprofit that focuses on women empowering themselves and transforming their lives through engagement and education. They offer counseling, mentoring, education, career services, legal services, child watch, an e-learning center and personal development services. To read more about Fresh Start Women's Foundation or to donate, click here.

These are just a small sampling of the nonprofits in Arizona, and an even smaller pool of what's available nationwide. I could create a list that goes on and on of the large and small organizations that are worthwhile to donate to, but for the time being - tomorrow specifically - lets focus locally on how we an help our communities. Even if you give just $5 tomorrow, or the next day, or a month from now, or if perhaps you just decide, hey, I'll check out some volunteer opportunities, know that every dollar counts and every effort, no matter how large or small, significant or insignificant you may think it is, will make a difference.

So, go forth and give!