5 reasons to donate to Season for Sharing

Stacy Sullivan
The Republic | azcentral.com
Stacy Sullivan of the Arizona Republic.

This year, many of us reached into our pockets to help friends, families and strangers affected by hurricanes, floods, wildfires and even horrific mass shootings. The suffering around us this year has been tremendous.

Now, it's time to help our Arizona neighbors.

For 24 years, The Arizona Republic has worked through Season for Sharing to bring attention to the great needs we have locally -- and to make a great difference.

Last year alone, 159 organizations benefited from the $2.4 million raised by the campaign, with 100 percent of the contributions going directly to non-profits that help at-risk children and families, improve educational skills, aid victims of domestic violence and serve the elderly.

All fundraising and administrative costs are covered by The Republic. As an added incentive, we also match your donation 50 cents on the dollar until we reach $600,000.

Make a donation at sharing.azcentral.com, by mailing in the coupon on page 4A of The Republic or by texting "sharing" to 91-999.

Since Season for Sharing began, we’ve given away more than $60 million to non-profits in Maricopa County and around the state. Still, families, elderly residents, foster children and others teetering on the brink of homelessness or hunger will always need our help.

Here are five reasons to support Season for Sharing and help make a difference this holiday season:

1. Because caregivers need care, too.

The Desert Southwest Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association received $5,000 last year to help families with Alzheimer's and dementia support services, including coping skills and how to prepare for the diseases' progression.

2. Because we all have a favorite teacher.

P.E. teacher Josh Meibos, the 2018 Arizona Teacher of the Year, gets his students to warm up by jogging around the gym. (Photo by Paola Garcia/Cronkite News)

The Arizona Educational Foundation received $15,000 last year to support efforts to celebrate excellent teachers, students and administrators across the state, including the Teacher of the Year recognition and A+ School of Excellence program.

3. Because once kids are out of an abusive home, what then?

Free Arts for Abused Children received $12,500 to provide therapeutic arts programs in foster care group homes and domestic violence shelters.

4. Because being a kid should be fun.

The i.d.e.a. Museum encourages seeks to inspire creativity in kids.

In Mesa, the i.d.e.a. Museum received a $5,000 grant last year to provide transportation and admission for low-income elementary and early childhood groups that wouldn't be able to afford the experience otherwise.

5. Because we all need help sometimes.

More than 600 homeless or impoverished families received help from the Save the Family Foundation last year, thanks to a $20,000 Season for Sharing gift. These are families living on the brink. They were helped with housing and provided other services so they can achieve self-sufficiency.

The stories go on. 

Through our partnerships with generous donors, the Arizona Community Foundation, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and the Gannett Foundation, we all can make a difference in Arizonans' lives.

This list of last year's grant recipients shows just how many types of people we touch.

  • Donate at sharing.azcentral.com.
  • Mail us the coupon on page 4A of The Republic.
  • Text "Sharing" to 91-999 and complete the form.

Thank you.

Stacy Sullivan is community relations director for The Republic and azcentral.com. He can be reached at ssullivan@azcentral.com or 602-444-8749.