Community Outreach

Arizona Youth of the Year tackles regional competition

Known affectionately as "Ms. Johana" by the younger children at Boys & Girls Club (BGC) Metropolitan Phoenix, Johana Lopez is a recent high school...

Weekly schools and education roundup

Jimmy Arwood, 17, was chosen by the faculty at Valley Lutheran High School to represent the school at the American Legion Boys State  June...

Three ways you can “give back” before June 1

Cool off for a cause. Get $17 off general admission to the northwest Valley's Wet ’n’ Wild waterpark May 25 to 27 by donating a...

MISS Foundation Kindness Walk

Families and friends will walk in memory of children they have loved during the MISS Foundation's third annual Kindness Walk and Safety Fair on...

Family fun walk Saturday, May 4, benefits kids with disabilities

Nathan was born prematurely at just 31 weeks. He struggled to put on weight. Rosalie was born with Down syndrome. Kaylee spent the first three weeks...

Three ways to eat your way to a good deed

Dine at Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao on Wednesday, April 24 and 100 percent of the proceeds will support Junior Achievement of Arizona. The restaurant...

Small fish in a big pond: Swimming to save lives

She’s been in the water since the tender age of 6 months, so 12-year-old Bella Lantz isn’t fazed by the deep end. She progressed...

Bring a bear, bag a meal

The Arizona Highway Patrol Association (AHPA) annual Comfort Bear Toy Drive continues through Sunday, April 7. Famous Dave’s restaurants in Mesa, Peoria, Chandler and...

Fairy Godmothers bring affordable prom dresses

Joyce Jesko and her husband Paul, of Doylestown, Penn., are winter residents of the Valley. During one of her winter stays, Joyce heard about...

Gilbert family finds solace in New Song Center

On May 18, 2011, Carolina Gardner of Gilbert received news that her 39-year-old husband, Jonathan Gardner, was having a heart attack. Jonathan was in...

Books and pajamas for children in need

Tracy and Kristen Steward own one of the two Honest-1 Auto Care franchise facilities in Arizona. Located near Paradise Valley Mall in Phoenix, the...

Library sale offers books, CDs & DVDs for under $5

Buying new books, even for small children, can get pricey! And despite our admonitions, some of those books will end up "personalized" by a...

Giving back: Toys, books and bowling

For children who will be spending this holiday season at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, volunteers and staff have some special plans in mind. On Dec. 23...

A little girl says a really big thank you

Hospice of the Valley shared this story by a proud daddy who wrote it after his daughter organized a pancake breakfast fundraiser to benefit...

Opportunities to feed, clothe and comfort

Help feed the hungry this Thanksgiving season by giving a cash donation at any Desert Schools Federal Credit Union branch. Your donation will go...

One last chance to see “Portraits of Opportunity”

A special exhibition of the 2012 Portraits of Opportunity families and their stories will be available through Nov. 16 at Phoenix City Hall, 200...

PARTY ARTICLES

Themed Birthday Ideas for Grown-Ups

As parents, we often go all out celebrating our kids' birthdays—planning elaborate parties, baking cakes, decorating, and making sure their day feels extra special. But somewhere along the way, many of us stop celebrating...

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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