Community Outreach

Donate school supplies to Save the Family in Mesa

Mesa-based Save the Family needs your help collecting school supplies for disadvantaged children. Drop off items at the organization's building, 125 E. University Drive in...

Cinderella Affair Boutique in Chandler distributes free prom dresses this month

High school juniors and seniors can shop for free new and gently-used prom dresses during the annual Cinderella Affair event, from 8 a.m. to 3...

Families Giving Back: Help local homeless families

Since opening its doors in 1964, UMOM New Day Centers has been dedicated to helping homeless families in Phoenix. This year, UMOM acquired Tumbleweed,...

Furry friends from Gabriel’s Angels foster strong readers

Students at Humphrey Elementary in Chandler were among the first to try the new Animals, Books and Children program --- ABC for short ---...

Shopping, dining with Care Card supports Foundation for Blind Children

When you watch 4-year-old Oliver Clark negotiate the halls of the Foundation for Blind Children, you are truly watching a miracle. The Phoenix boy...

Hello Children Project delivers smiles, memories to the Valley’s seniors

On a sweltering day in late July, I visited a beautiful memory-care facility in Sun City, where Samantha Asher and her mother, Ena Barrise,...

Two generations of gratitude and giving back

It’s been about a year since I joined the board for Raising Special Kids, a 38-year-old nonprofit that provides parent-to-parent support for families navigating...

At-home volunteering: Make heat-relief sacks for the homeless

As temperatures begin to rise again, life on the streets in Phoenix can go from unbearable to deadly. Homeless men, women and children are...

Befriending seniors: A worthy, rewarding volunteering opportunity for kids

Our views of aging evolve. As kids, all we want is to be older. Then, at some point during adulthood, all we want is...

Detour Company Theatre stages “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.”

Valley audiences have an opportunity to see a special performance by Detour Company Theatre this weekend, when Detour returns to the Scottsdale Center for...

Socks From Santa brings the spirit of the season

The goal was 5,000 socks. But at the end of the day, when all the donations were bundled, tied up in red ribbon and...

MORIAH Cooperative: Peer mentors for kids with special needs

On a sunny day at Enchanted Island Amusement Park in Phoenix, the air is filled with children’s laughter, carousel music and the whistle of...

My daughter’s Iraqi best friend taught me to hope and help

At our kitchen table one evening, my 10-year-old daughter, Victoria, wanted to show me something as I checked her homework. “Here’s how you write the...

Homeless teens find shelter, and hope, at Tumbleweed

Tonight and every night, at least 600 young people in Arizona will find themselves sleeping on the streets. They are homeless --- runaways, castoffs,...

Why I’m going to March for Babies

In 2003, I found out I was pregnant. My baby was due in early September 2004. My husband and I were ecstatic! The first...

CaringBridge keeps families and friends up to date during a medical crisis

Gilbert pediatrician Tim Jacks, DO, and his wife, Anna, found out in August 2014 that their little girl, Maggie, had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a...

PARTY ARTICLES

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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