As Neighbors Helping Neighbors President Darren M. Tosetto shared details of an upcoming charity event benefiting underprivileged youths, he paused for a moment.
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As Neighbors Helping Neighbors President Darren M. Tosetto shared details of an upcoming charity event benefiting underprivileged youths, he paused for a moment.
Recalling how one child picked decorations for the family’s first Christmas tree they could finally afford, and other children getting gifts for siblings--he fell silent for a moment while expressing his surprise at their generosity--while gathering items for loved ones during the annual Shop With A Cop Program instead of for themselves.
“Most of these kids on the actual shopping day are shopping for family,” Mr. Tosetto said.
Every dollar goes toward the children, he added, noting that his organization helps those in financial need and is strictly operated by volunteers and unpaid members who take on various projects throughout the community such as installing access ramps at homes for the elderly and infirmed.
A happy hour and fundraiser event set from 5 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 7 at CB Live at Desert Ridge, 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard in Phoenix, helps raise funds for the Shop With A Cop program, which is geared toward underprivileged and at-risk youths.
The Shop With A Cop program encourages establishing and maintaining positive relationships between the youths and law enforcement officers while changing the perception they may have since “a lot of their first experiences with law enforcement is not the best,” Mr. Tosetto said.
Last year, the Scottsdale-based nonprofit organization’s annual happy hour fundraiser received $80,000, which was able to sponsor more than 700 local kids’ shopping spree with an officer; in contrast to when the charitable organization began with eight people in 2013 and raised enough to sponsor 12 youths.
Mr. Tosetto, a founding NHN member, added that the goal is to exceed last year’s amount.
NHN has raised an excess of $150,000 to sponsor more than 1,500 at-risk children selected to fulfill their holiday wish list as part of the Arizona Law Enforcement Outreach and Support Organization’s Shop with a Cop program.
“This is our sixth fundraiser for the different law enforcement that provides a holiday season for underprivileged and at-risk youths,” said Mr. Tosetto.
“It’s a pretty successful program they have with bridging some gaps out there.”
The event will have a buffet and live music in addition to a silent and live auction with items ranging from a 1997 BMW Z3 convertible to Phoenix Open VIP tickets.
Event tickets cost $50. Contact Mike Yarnall at 602-576-0492 or yarnallmike@gmail.com.
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