Donate supplies, support virtual (or postponed) fundraisers, eat take-out to support local restaurants … but most of all stay home, stay safe, stay connected and stay positive. We’re all in this together!
An investment that gives back “the gifts we have to offer”
Valley Youth Theatre of Phoenix had to cancel much of its spring lineup of performances, camps and classes. With no incoming revenue until they can reconvene classes and rehearsals, VYT’s leadership is focused on the future. For every $100 you “Invest in VYT” during the COVID-19 crisis, you will get one ticket to each of the next six productions.
“Instead of simply holding out a hand to ask for money, we want to give back the gifts that we have to offer — those of young people working together to create stunning, entertaining and uplifting works of performing art,” said Bobb Cooper, VYT’s producing artistic director, in a statement. “Purchasing individual tickets to these six shows would typically cost almost twice that amount.” The next six VYT productions will be “High School Musical,” “Spookly the Square Pumpkin,” “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Junie B Jones the Musical” and “Peter Pan.” How to Invest in VYT.
Keep diaper donation supplies strong
Even in the best of times, a third of American families experience diaper need. COVID-19 panic buying makes the struggle even harder for those without the discretionary income to buy ahead. Diapers can’t be purchased with food stamps and are not provided as part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. An inadequate supply of diapers puts families with young children at an increased risk for health related problems and potential abuse.
The Diaper Bank of Central Arizona, which works under the umbrella of the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona (the nation’s first diaper bank) is raising funds for an additional semi-truck load of diapers through the Huggies special Every Little Bottom program. Donate here.
Deliver meals to homebound cancer patients
Phoenix Cancer Support Network provides free assistance and care to patients undergoing cancer treatment and their families. A big part of that is meal-delivery service. CSN recently teamed up with north Phoenix-based The Joy Bus Diner to provide nutritious meals to homebound cancer patients within a 10-mile radius of the nonprofit restaurant. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to clients outside that 10-mile radius. Volunteers interested in lending a hand can contact info@pcsnetwork.org.
RELATED: Owner of Joy Bus Diner feeds body and soul
Provide basic needs to families and child care centers
Southwest Human Development has mobilized an online shopping cart so we all can help them provide essentials to families and child care centers who need them the most. Fourteen different donation bundles range in price from $6.99 for a two-week supply of baby wipes to $5,000 to provide breakfast and lunch for 300 Head Start preschoolers for more than a week.
Arizona Together
This governor’s office web page offers CODIV-19 information, including crisis relief and ways those of us who are able can volunteer and donate money to front-line efforts in the fight against the deadly coronavirus.
Put your no-longer-used computers to work
Nearly 100,000 computers are needed by Arizona students forced into online learning from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Arizona Technology Council and AZ StRUT (Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Arizona’s technical education, is asking for donated laptops and chargers that can be refurbished for use by these students. Leave your unneeded laptops and chargers at Batteries Plus stores throughout the Valley. Obsolete laptops that cannot be refurbished will be responsibly recycled.
Provide books to kids in low-income neighborhoods
The Assistance League® of Phoenix is working to provide books to home-bound children from low-income neighborhoods. The nonprofit partners with more than 90 Title I schools throughout the year, providing school uniforms and books to children living in poverty. Drop off new or gently used books at the Sunnyslope office. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call ahead (602-944-7636) to make arrangements to avoid direct contact with staff. You can also purchase new books online and ship to: Assistance League of Phoenix, 9224 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020.
Donate critical supplies for Tempe first responders
Tempe first responders and other city employees continue to work to maintain critical city services. So that a well-stocked supply is maintained, the city is welcoming donations of unopened medical, disinfecting and sanitation items. Needed: Lysol and other disinfecting sprays/wipes, sanitizing wipes, rubbing alcohol, bleach or similar cleaning sprays, N95 or KN95 respirator face masks, surgical masks and gowns, medical grade nitrile exam gloves, safety goggles/eye protection, paper towels, toilet paper. The Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department will be collecting for all city departments. In order to manage the donation deliveries and keep everyone safe, please make an appointment for a drop-off time and place. Contact Deputy Chief Mike Atkinson at 480-250-5426.
Eat take-out or delivery when you can
Eat take-out or delivery when you canThe Arizona Restaurant Association has launched “Arizona Takeout Weeks” asking that we keep patronizing eateries affected by shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic. Find participating restaurants.
Help Ryan House celebrate its 10th anniversary
Local nonprofit Ryan House, whose mission is to embrace all children and their families as they navigate life-limiting or end-of-life journeys, planned to release this video to celebrate its 10th anniversary during the nonprofit’s annual community breakfast fundraiser. The event has been rescheduled for Friday, August 28, at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. (For sponsorship information, contact Pepper Kincaid-Sizer at 602-200-0767 or pkincaidsizer@ryanhouse.org.) Executive director Tracy Leonard-Warner starts off the video with suggestions for helping Ryan House families now.