50 students from Child Crisis Arizona in Mesa get back-to-school shopping spree

Thanks to the generosity of Bell Bank and Bell Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald Jr., a group of local students are now well-prepared for the start of their school year.

Recently, Fitzgerald hosted 50 students from Child Crisis Arizona for a back-to-school event. Each student received a $100 shopping spree at Going, Going, Gone; a backpack filled with school supplies; and two $2 bills from Bell Bank — one to keep and one to pay forward, according to a release.

During the event, Fitzgerald, who played for the Arizona Cardinals for 17 seasons, enjoyed shopping for needed supplies with the students, all while encouraging them to work hard and enjoy the year ahead, the release states.

Dick’s Sporting Goods and Going, Going, Gone also donated $5,000 to Child Crisis Arizona. The nonprofit provides emergency shelter, foster care, adoption, counseling, early education and parenting support to help protect children from abuse and neglect and strengthen families.

“I know this is a really important time; the kids are wrapping up the summertime and are starting to think about fall and going back to school,” Fitzgerald said in the release. “I want them to be able to go back to school with basketballs and shoes and football cleats and the things that they need to go and play the sports that they want to play and be enthusiastic about the upcoming school year.”

As Kyle Kennedy, Bell Bank’s Phoenix president and Arizona banking director noted, Fitzgerald’s foundation in partnership with Bell Bank, along with events like the recent back-to-school shopping spree, have made a positive impact on youth.

“At Bell Bank, we are devoted to giving back to the community, and our partnership with Larry is one of our most impactful, as well as one of our favorite ways to help local students,” Kennedy said. “We are also incredibly grateful to everyone who made donations to Child Crisis Arizona, as well as for Larry’s generous support.”

For information about Bell Bank or Bell’s commitment to charitable endeavors go to https://bell.bank.