Cox Communications has announced that it has raised $608,708 and distributed those funds to 126 Arizona nonprofit community champions focused on youth and education programs.

Most of the funds come from employee-driven fundraisers and donations by Cox employees and their families, according to a press release.

This marks the 26th year that Cox employees, through Cox Charities, have raised funds to help the communities in which they live and work. Since 1996, Cox Arizona employees have raised $9.7 million and awarded grants to 1,719 local Arizona nonprofits.

Organizations around Scottsdale that received grants include:

•  Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
•  GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix LLC
•  Jazz In Arizona, Inc.
•  Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona
•  McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
•  Mikey’s League, Inc.
•  notMYkid, Inc.

One Cox Charities grant recipient is Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank in Chandler and its Meals to Grow Student Hunger Relief program.

“Food means tomorrow,” said Jan Terhune, executive director of Matthew’s Crossing.

She explains that each week, 1,500 backpacks with six meals go to 85 schools. Cox Charities helps to make sure there is food in those backpacks and consequently, adds Terhune, “attendance is improved and the kids have a better attention span because they are not worried about their tummies hurting.”

“I am immensely proud of our Cox employees who are great at their jobs and so committed to helping local nonprofits deliver vital services in our community,” said Percy Kirk, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Arizona. “This year, Cox employees raised nearly $40,000 more than last year for distribution in this 2022 grant cycle.”

The children of enlisted military receive backpacks full of necessary school supplies from the Military Assistance Mission so they have the opportunity to succeed like their peers. With the help of Cox Charities to purchase school supplies, MAM Executive Director Margy Bons says that active military and reservists can focus on their mission while using their financial resources to pay the rent.

She adds, “We provide a respite from the everyday worries of finances for those who are paid the least in the military.”