Child Crisis Arizona welcomed 500 guests to its annual Lunch for Love fundraising luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort.

“We are pleased to announce that our Lunch for Love fundraising event surpassed our $1 million goal,” Torrie Taj, Child Crisis Arizona CEO said in a press release. “This event is an integral piece of our fundraising strategy and provides for operations, future growth and sustainability.”

Lunch for Love provides an opportunity for Child Crisis Arizona’s board members and major donors to invite friends and colleagues to learn more about the organization’s mission and vision and hear stories about the impact the agency’s prevention, intervention and education programs have on children, families and the community.

The event was sponsored by The Bidstrup Foundation, Concord General Contracting, Desert Diamond Casino, Dignity Health, Ford Motor Company, Kathy & Dann Grubb, General Dynamics, Jaburg Wilk Attorneys at Law, Toyota Financial Services, Papetti Samuels Weiss McKirgan, VIP Mortgage Foundation, UMB Bank and Wilde Wealth Management Group.

Courtesy Colleen Katz Pictures

“Over the decades, we have expanded programs to intervene during crisis, and implement longterm solutions to prevent child abuse and neglect,” said Taj as she expressed Child Crisis Arizona’s commitment to doing more for Arizona’s most vulnerable children.

The release stated that Board Member Karilee Ramaley set the tone for this inspirational afternoon by talking about Child Crisis Arizona’s 45th anniversary and the vision to grow and expand during the next decade.

Child Crisis Arizona provided over 70,000 nights of safety to children this past year through its Emergency Children’s Placement programs.

Linda Manywounds shared her own experience as a child in the agency’s emergency shelter. The services provided by Child Crisis Arizona helped her become the woman she is today—a successful entrepreneur with a family of her own.

“I am so grateful that at such a critical moment, Child Crisis Arizona was there to serve as a piece of the puzzle in my life story,” Manywounds said.

As Child Crisis Arizona provides its fifth decade of service to our community, the agency is focused on strengthening families, building community and saving children to ensure its vision of “Safe Kids…Strong Families,” according to the press release.