AHH partners with community to support foster care children

Arizona Helping Hands held its first drive-through collection event to fill Santa’s Sleigh with gifts for children in foster care.

The event held on Dec. 8, according to a press release, has traditionally been an open house holiday party, but due to the pandemic was modified to promote safety standards this year.

AHH President/CEO Dan Shufelt stated the holiday toy drive has provided toys to thousands of children for the past 22 years and he had no idea how the new concept would be received.

“Traditionally, businesses have hosted in-office collection drives and provided toys, games, gift cards, and more that were utilized to prepare thousands of gift packages for children in foster care. With so many companies working remotely, we were concerned on how we would fill Santa’s sleigh this year,” Mr. Shufelt said.

In three hours, almost 200 vehicles filled with children, dogs, and adults drove through the parking lot at 3110 E. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix to drop off gifts for children in foster care throughout Arizona.

Vehicles were greeted by volunteer elves with holiday music, hot chocolate, kettle corn, and donors were treated to giveaways from the event’s presenting sponsor – Amazon, the release noted.

“Amazon is proud to give back to the communities where our employees live and work,” said Razvan Stanici, site leader, Amazon Logistics, in a prepared statement.

“We’re honored to partner with Arizona Helping Hands and applaud their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of thousands of children in foster care throughout the state.”

As holidays are difficult for many, especially boys and girls in foster care facing daily challenges throughout the year, the community accepts responsibility to offer hope, the release said.

With this outpouring of support, 3,500 children in foster care will have holiday gifts to open this year, the release added.

“Our community truly joined together and stepped up. With the toys, gift cards and more that we received, we filled Santa’s Sleigh, and will be able to bring hope for the holidays to thousands of children in foster care who have been victims of abuse and neglect,” Mr. Shufelt said.

Arizona Helping Hands is the largest provider of essential needs to Arizona’s more than 14,000 children in foster care. Year-round programs provide beds, cribs, clothing, diapers, educational supplies, home safety items, and more to promote safety, permanency, and health.

Primary funding for AHH programs comes from Arizona taxpayers through the state’s Qualifying Foster Care tax credit program. Married couples can donate $1,000 per year and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their Arizona tax return.

For information on how to help and make donations: azhelpinghands.org.