After 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hope For Haiti Issues Emergency Appeal To Raise $5 Million To Fund Earthquake Relief And Recovery Efforts.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation bolsters campaign with $1 million gift
In response to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the southern region of Haiti, Hope for Haiti has launched an emergency funding campaign to raise $5 million for immediate and long-term disaster relief and recovery efforts. Already, the nonprofit – which employs more than 60 full-time staff members in Haiti including doctors, nurses, and program managers – has been providing onsite assistance to the Haitian people. Longtime supporters of Hope for Haiti, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has helped kick off the campaign with an initial $1 million grant.
“Each time Bob and I visit Haiti I am struck by the incredible spirit and resilience of the Haitian people,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Now, more than ever, they need our help. Hope for Haiti is a trusted source and perfectly positioned to provide the critical assistance needed now.”
The recent disaster comes after an extremely challenging few years for Haitian families who, in addition to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, have endured political and civil unrest, food, water, and economic insecurity. For more than 30 years, Hope for Haiti has been working in southern Haiti to resource and empower local leaders and provide access to clean water, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
“Our entire organization is overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. They have been a trusted partner for more than a decade, and it’s their past support for our work and our team, specifically our healthcare programs, that have enabled our organization to be uniquely qualified to respond to this disaster,” said Hope for Haiti CEO Skyler Badenoch. “Their donation today of $1 million to support our $5 million goal will enable us to provide relief, support, and continuous assistance to Haitian families and our more than 60 partners in the greater south of Haiti.”
With more than 30 years of experience in emergency preparedness and response in southern Haiti, Hope for Haiti is well-positioned to provide instant and long-term aid. The organization has taken great care in using lessons learned from its response during the 2010 Earthquake, Haiti’s Cholera Epidemic, Hurricane Matthew, and the spread of COVID-19 to develop a short-term (3 month) and long-term (24 month) response to this disaster. The $5 million campaign will work towards the following goals:
- Purchase, import and distribute medication, medical supplies, medical equipment, and PPE to support more than 38 government, non-government, and private medical partners.
- Provide 50,000 health consultations, including medication/supplies, referrals, and health education for children, parents, and grandparents at Hope for Haiti’s infirmary and through mobile clinics conducted by Haitian doctors and nurses.
- Rubble removal and rehabilitation of homes, schools, sanitation blocks, and healthcare facilities in 24 rural and urban communities by hiring and resourcing only local Haitian construction firms and workers.
- Distribute 15,000 Home Water Filtration Systems to families in rural and urban areas who lack access to clean drinking water, and who are at risk of contracting waterborne illnesses such as giardia, E.coli, cholera, and other parasites.
- Provide 1,000 micro-grants, 20 loans, financial literacy classes, and digital currency education to schoolteachers and micro, small, and medium-sized businesses with the support of blockchain-enabled cash transfers.
“In the aftermath of this recent earthquake, Haiti is facing an extreme crisis with countless injuries and damage to homes, schools, and important infrastructure,” said Founder and CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “Hope for Haiti has been quick to respond, with boots on the ground, offering the Haitian people support they desperately need.”
Hope for Haiti is the leading nonprofit focused on comprehensive poverty alleviation, healthcare, and education in Southern Haiti. The organization has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is recognized as a Platinum Level partner by the GuideStar Exchange. To learn more or make a donation, visit hopeforhaiti.com. Photo credit: Delva Dyerlin, 2021.
Native American Connections Awarded $200,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Funding Will Help Support Newly Opened Dunlap Pointe Supportive Housing Community For Veterans
Native American Connections (NAC) has been working to mitigate the mental health, substance abuse, and housing crises in its community for nearly 50 years. In support of these efforts, the organization was awarded a $200,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The grant will support the new Dunlap Pointe, 54-unit, permanent supportive housing community located in the Sunnyslope area of Phoenix.
Dunlap Pointe focuses on supporting veterans experiencing homelessness, which includes providing trauma-informed care and assistance through partnerships with local veteran and military organizations.
“Too many veterans, especially those facing PTSD, find themselves struggling with related substance abuse and homelessness,” said Founder and CEO of PXG and U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran Bob Parsons. “NAC is honoring these neglected heroes by offering long-term solutions through affordable housing and ongoing supportive care.”
Substance use, behavioral health, and homelessness are inextricably connected. Communities like Dunlap Pointe, which offer permanent supportive housing, allow individuals to live independently while having access to cost-effective and compassionate on-site services. These services support residents through substance-use issues, physical and mental health challenges, financial and other obstacles. Native American Connections believes treating the whole person is key to solving these problems.
“We are grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for this grant, which will help NAC further our efforts in developing, building, and managing high-quality housing communities and organizing community support to end homelessness,” said Diana Yazzie Devine, President and CEO of Native American Connections.
The Dunlap Pointe housing community shares a campus with the Patina Wellness Center, which offers behavioral health services predicated on the belief that culture and spirituality are essential to healing. Wellness programs are open to all but integrate traditional Native American healing ceremonies with other research-based practices.
“Native American Connections is taking a stand in the fight against homelessness by providing safe and affordable housing and the chance for its residents to be a part of a supportive and healthy community,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons.
For more information regarding Native American Connections’ services, please visit nativeconnections.org. For media inquiries and to schedule a visit or interviews please contact Jason Coochwytewa at [email protected].
GLSEN Receives $1.5 Million Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation To Support LGBTQ Inclusivity in K-12 Schools.
In celebration of Pride Month, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has donated $1.5 million to GLSEN. The three-year grant will be allocated between the Phoenix Chapter ($1 million) and the National Organization ($500,000) and will support the organization’s mission to ensure that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
“In our personal lives and through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, one of our overarching goals is to be champions of inclusivity,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Every person deserves to feel whole, equal and welcome.”
GLSEN research has found that six out of 10 LGBTQ students have felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation and nearly eight out of 10 have avoided school functions because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable. The level of harassment these students experience negatively affects their ability to learn due to increased absenteeism and lower educational aspirations. The anti-LGBTQ bias can also have a profound impact on a student’s overall health and well-being.
“Many LGBTQ youth face cruel, often unbearable levels of bullying and discrimination,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “GLSEN is working to help all K-12 students feel safe at school and accepted for who they are.”
GLSEN has developed four focus areas to help schools cultivate an inclusive, safe and supportive environment for all their students, especially those of marginalized identities.
- Activating supportive educators, who are crucial to creating LGBTQ-inclusive classroom environments
- Advocating for inclusive & affirming curriculum, which not only offers support to LGBTQ students but raises the awareness of all students
- Passing and implementing laws and policies to ensure that LGBTQ students can learn and thrive in safe, inclusive, accepting schools
- Supporting student-led clubs because student leaders are integral to creating community and pushing for change
“We are filled with gratitude for this generous grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation,” said Melanie-Willingham-Jaggers, GLSEN’s Interim Executive Director. “It is because of allies like Bob and Renee Parsons that organizations like GLSEN are able to work towards making the world a safe and celebratory place for LGBTQ+ children and young people. In addition to financial support, it’s incredible to have partners who focus their power, reach and influence to lift up our community”
“This transformational gift will enable GLSEN Phoenix to mobilize even more school communities, so that all of our children get to be and become who they ought to be,” said GLSEN Phoenix founding co-chair Madelaine Adelman, Ph.D. “Feeling safe at school means having a sense of belonging, being respected, learning about yourself and others — this is simply the best way to learn.” In addition to celebrating this grant during Pride Month, GLSEN Phoenix is launching a legacy monthly giving program. To learn more and invest in local efforts to create LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 schools, please visit https://www.glsenphoenix.org/. To learn more about the organization on a national level, visit https://www.glsen.org/ and follow @glsen on social.
Chrysalis Receives $250,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Chrysalis has been awarded a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support those impacted by domestic violence. The nonprofit provides broad-based solutions to prevent domestic abuse, which includes emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, legal assistance, offender intervention and mobile victim advocacy. The funding will allow the organization to continue to provide necessary services to men, women and children throughout the Greater Phoenix area who are trying to break the cycle of violence.
“Chrysalis gives victims of domestic violence the safety and support they need to heal and rebuild their lives,” said Bob Parsons, Founder & CEO of PXG. “More than basic necessities, they aim to empower and give individuals the tools needed to reclaim their independence for good.”
COVID-19 has had a severe impact on domestic violence in the Valley. According to the Phoenix Police Department, domestic violence-related calls doubled, and domestic violence-related deaths increased by 140 percent in the months following the pandemic’s initial outbreak. Experts warn the added stress, potential displacement and loss of income brought on by COVID-19 are all leading factors towards an increased risk of domestic abuse.
As the first certified, trauma-informed domestic violence organization in the nation, Chrysalis utilizes a 360-degree approach that not only serves the physical needs of its survivors but also provides the mental and emotional support needed to break the cycle of abuse. Through its residential crisis shelter, which provides inclusive services to women, men and families, survivors receive individual and group counseling, parenting support and personalized assistance based on each individual’s needs.
“Abuse doesn’t pause for a pandemic,” said Chrysalis CEO Patricia Klahr. “In fact, we know that crisis situations can fan the flame of domestic violence and we are working around the clock to protect vulnerable victims, all while prioritizing the health and safety of our staff, clients and volunteers. This grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will allow us to continue to provide these necessary services and much-needed support.”
During COVID-19, Chrysalis instituted several adaptive measures to continue to provide a safe and secure environment. Measures included a shift to virtual outpatient telehealth sessions, routine commercial-grade sanitization and the installation of touchless hardware at all facilities. Through various partnerships, Chrysalis has been able to provide laptop computers to keep parents and children connected during the transition to virtual learning.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure at home,” said Renee Parsons, President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel. “Chrysalis takes the time to approach each person’s situation with care and empathy, all while providing life-changing resources.”
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, over 50,000 adults and children in the United States receive services and support from domestic violence organizations each day. In Arizona, more than 1,400 survivors of abuse utilized Chrysalis’ services in 2020, a 17 percent increase from the previous year. From day-to-day operations to long-term planning, Chrysalis is rooted in approaching every individual’s situation with empathy, openness, dedication and transparency. To learn more, visit https://noabuse.org/.
Maggie’s Place Receives $439,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to Build Capacity and Support Current Programming.
Maggie’s Place – a nonprofit dedicated to supporting homeless pregnant women and their children – has received a $439,000, multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The organization provides safe and secure housing, developmental and educational programming, parent and child enrichment courses and ongoing services to help women achieve self-sufficiency for themselves and their families. The grant will allow Maggie’s Place to further expand its reach through capacity building and support for current programs.
“Homelessness is heartbreaking in any capacity, but it is even more difficult when it comes to expectant women and their children,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Maggie’s Place is building stronger families by giving new mothers a place to feel safe during and after their pregnancy as they work toward building a new life for themselves and their children.”
Women join the Maggie’s Place community at any point in their pregnancy and can stay until their child turns one. During that time, the organization offers support by providing for immediate physical and emotional needs including shelter, food, clothing, transportation, and a supportive community. Equally important, Maggie’s Place helps moms achieve long-term goals by connecting them to community resources such as prenatal care, health insurance, low-cost housing and educational programs.
“So much more than offering shelter, Maggie’s Place welcomes pregnant women and their babies into a safe and respectful community,” said Founder and CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “As these moms enter a new phase of life, Maggie’s Place is there to help them learn to be responsible not only for themselves, but also for the child who relies on them.”
Maggie’s Place pairs each woman with a Family Coach and an AmeriCorps member to provide support in the development and implementation of individualized plans to help them become productive, self-sustaining members of the community. Upon leaving the organization, women and their children are granted ongoing support services to further improve their family relations. Core programs include health and wellness courses, parenting education, child development and enrichment programs and employment assistance.
“Maggie’s Place is tremendously grateful for the financial support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. Despite the many challenges that came in the past year, Maggie’s Place has been able to remain open, continuing to provide shelter and services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community – homeless, pregnant women and their families,” said Maggie’s Place CEO Laura Magruder. “This investment in capacity building will strengthen the entire organization, ensuring that Maggie’s Place continues to serve mothers and children for many more years.” The $439,000 grant is the latest gesture of support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. A gift in 2013 allowed Maggie’s Place to open its fourth facility, The Hannah House, in Mesa, Arizona. The organization operates three additional homes in the state – located in Phoenix, Tempe and Glendale. For additional information about Maggie’s Place or its services, visit https://www.maggiesplace.org/.
Team Rubicon Completes Hurricane Laura Rebuild Project After Two Million Dollar Challenge From PXG.
Veteran-led humanitarian organization, Team Rubicon, is welcoming home the last family from the Hurricane Laura Rebuild project. Team Rubicon, supported by PXG and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, completed 27 homes serving over 50 survivors in Texas and Louisiana. CEO Bob Parsons, a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran, committed to challenging donations dollar-for-dollar, totaling $2 million to support this effort.
“Hurricane Laura ravaged the Gulf Coast. I saw the damage first-hand in the quiet following the storm,” PXG Founder & CEO Bob Parsons shared. “I also witnessed Team Rubicon, and the many veterans who make up its ranks, fall in to resurrect the devastated community. We are proud to support their work through PXG and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. And knowing that the last family is finally headed home, well, that means the world to me.”
Within hours of Hurricane Laura making landfall, Team Rubicon had volunteers, known as Greyshirts, on the ground working to clear roadways to help first responders. In the hours and days following, Team Rubicon deployed hundreds of Greyshirts to the impacted communities. Proceeds from the Two Million Dollar Challenge allowed Team Rubicon to continue serving the people of Louisiana and Texas with long-term recovery.
“We are thankful for the years of support from Bob and Renee Parsons, which has enabled Team Rubicon to assist survivors long after the storm has impacted their communities,” said Art delaCruz, CEO of Team Rubicon. “This partnership allowed us to welcome dozens of families back home and return to their everyday lives.”
To put money back into the local economy, Team Rubicon hires contractors from the community, with resilient home repair in mind. Depending on the damage, repairs may include roof and floor replacement to a total home rebuild including interior and exterior improvements. Team Rubicon takes an all-hazards approach to its Rebuild program, incorporating resilient building materials and methods wherever feasible to mitigate the adverse effects of future hazards while addressing the community’s current recovery needs. This approach prioritizes building to Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Fortified standards, where possible.
Of the over two dozen homes, 17 were built with Fortified Roof standards designed to prevent damage that occurs during high winds, hurricanes, hailstorms, and severe thunderstorms, according to the IBHS. An additional home was built to an even higher, Fortified Silver standard, which reinforces the roof and other areas of the home. The organization has continued to make investments in its approach to reducing potential damage from future disasters and increasing the resiliency of these homes. The goal of these innovations is not only to get people back into their homes more quickly following the storm but also to enable them to better weather the next storm, and age in place.
Additionally, Team Rubicon delivers services to clients and their households to minimize their inconvenience and expense during the construction of their homes, including temporary housing and moving and storage assistance. Team Rubicon’s Rebuild program began with Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and has expanded its work in communities throughout the United States. Team Rubicon currently has five Rebuild programs in progress, including Houston, TX, following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Selma, AL, after Hurricane Zeta in 2020 and the March 2021 tornadoes, Louisiana after Hurricane Ida, and Kentucky after the December 2021 tornadoes.
In addition, the organization has repaired hundreds of roofs in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. To date, Team Rubicon has rebuilt or repaired over 650 homes across the nation.
The Simple Reason We Support The LGBTQ Community.
We started The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation with one value in mind. We believe that all people – regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity – are of equal value and deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home.
Unglamorous causes are what we seek to support — organizations not backed by mainstream philanthropy and populations that are marginalized, economically disadvantaged and significantly underserved. All too often, these burdens are placed upon LGBTQ-focused organizations and the individuals they support.
According to Funders for LGBTQ Issues, only 28 cents of every $100 awarded by U.S. foundations specifically serves LGBTQ causes. Yet, the community faces significant challenges in obtaining basic human rights that others take for granted, such as medical care, housing or simply having the ability to be confident with their own identity.
We refuse to shy away.
It’s why we have signed the OpenAZ Unity Pledge to advance workplace equality and equal treatment in housing and public accommodations for LGBTQ individuals and their allies. It’s also why we have provided nearly $13 million in philanthropic support to LGBTQ organizations, including:
- Southwest Center– Serves individuals touched by HIV/AIDS through prevention, education, client-centered services and coordinated care in collaboration with community partners.
- one n ten– Serves LGBTQ youth and young adults ages 11-24 by providing empowering social and service programs that promote self‐expression, self‐acceptance, leadership development and healthy life choices.
- GLSEN– Ensures that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
- Funders for LGBTQ Issues– Works to increase the scale and impact of philanthropic resources aimed at enhancing the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities. It also promotes equity and the advancement of racial, economic and gender justice.
We are working in solidarity with the LGBTQ community by staying present, showing up and spotlighting the unwavering spirit and incredible resiliency shown by today’s LGBTQ youth. While there are few words to describe the ongoing challenges they face on a daily basis, speaking up about their experiences will help drive the importance of fairness and equality for all.
Listen as President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons shares Joaquin’s story and why the Foundation strives to bring about a world that is more inclusive.
For more information about The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and its impact, please visit TBRPF.org or follow @WeDealInHope on social media.
FosterEd Arizona Receives $500,000 From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to Increase Support for Arizona Students in Foster Care.
FosterEd Arizona, an initiative of the National Center for Youth Law dedicated to improving graduation rates and life outcomes for children in foster care, has received a $500,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The impact of this funding will be increased educational support for Arizona students in foster care who experience learning interruptions due to multiple home and school moves and further disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Time after time, children in foster care have been let down by the adults in their lives,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “It’s amazing what can happen when these students have someone in their corner, fighting to help them build a better future. And that’s what FosterEd is doing.“
The grant will allow FosterEd to take full advantage of Arizona’s Foster Youth Education Success Fund. This fund was made possible as a result of legislation signed by Governor Ducey in order to ensure that youth in foster care have education champions, coordinated education teams and education plans based upon their strengths and needs.
“FosterEd is meeting current needs by providing direct support to vulnerable students and working toward long-term solutions,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Because of organizations like FosterEd, youth in foster care are being empowered to reach their full potential.”
Students in foster care have one of the lowest graduation rates among at-risk student subgroups. The FosterEd approach has been shown to improve attendance and graduation rates for these students while also transforming the public agencies that serve them by advocating for legislative change and sharpening state focus around education for children in these programs.
FosterEd operates under the framework that all foster youth should have an Education Champion who can support the student’s long-term educational success. This includes establishing an Education Team of engaged adults – caregivers, teachers and child welfare caseworkers – who develop an ongoing education plan based on each student’s academic strengths and needs. The FosterEd Education Team is fully invested in their role as education champions and ensures their students are consistently and meaningfully supported.
“For foster care students, the opportunity to learn is consistently interrupted and they are repeatedly faced with adults who hold heartbreakingly limiting expectations for their future,” said FosterEd Program Manager, Maricopa County Rose DeBlas. “The generous support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will help us realize our goal of ensuring every child in the system is encouraged and given the resources they need to graduate from high school with a full array of college and career opportunities.”
Last year, the program:
- Served nearly 250 students in 44 school districts across the state
- Developed a practical toolkit to assist adults who work with children and youth in foster care in setting them up for success
- Conducted multiple trainings with agencies and entities that support youth in foster care, including the Department of Child Safety and Court Appointed Special Advocates
- Served on multiple coalitions, workgroups and collaborative partnerships to ensure the experiences of youth in foster care are prioritized
In Arizona, FosterEd works with a committed group of local and state partners, parents and students to create a future in which the majority of foster youth graduate high school. The campaign began with the launch of a demonstration site in Pima County, the success of which allowed the organization to expand programming throughout Maricopa County. To learn more about FosterEd Arizona, visit www.foster-ed.org/topics/arizona/.
$250,000 Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Will Support Youth Experiencing Homelessness.
Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) has received a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to help ensure youth, ages 13 to 21, experiencing homelessness receive the basic resources they need to stay in school and complete their education. The AZ Department of Education reported that at any given time, more than 8,000 homeless youth (grades nine through 12) are living in Maricopa County and more than 2,300 are considered unaccompanied youth. These students face numerous barriers to education, keeping many of them from completing high school or achieving post-secondary education.
“Many of us have never had to wonder where our next meal may come from or where we’ll sleep at night, but these are very real concerns for youth facing homelessness,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “By providing for these basic needs, HYC is able to remove some of the burdens on these students so they can refocus on their education and their future.”
HYC’s Empowering Youth For The Future (EYFTF) program is a comprehensive social services program that provides youth experiencing homelessness with housing, basic needs, case management, and support with their education. Through the EYFTF program, HYC helps youth implement plans that will stabilize them, move them forward, promote individual accomplishment, and avoid homelessness in the future. The grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will directly support this program and HYC’s mission to eliminate barriers to graduation for youth experiencing homelessness and create lasting solutions for a successful future through community support and increased awareness.
“We are so grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for providing HYC with the resources to offer authentic youth engagement and positive youth development, so that youth experiencing homelessness will succeed and reach their greatest potential,” said HYC Chief Executive Officer Dawn Bogart.
HYC uses an innovative approach to helping youth experiencing homelessness stay in school and complete their education by meeting youth “where they are.” The EYFTF program engages high-school-aged youth experiencing homelessness in trauma-informed, client-led, strengths-based interventions. Youth Coaches work together with youth to identify needs related to academics, health, housing, hygiene, employment, and independent living skills. Youth then identify their strengths and goals, and partner with their Youth Coach to establish an actionable plan. In a collaborative partnership, Youth Coaches engage with their youth, and stand on the sidelines offering compassionate encouragement while each youth chases their dream.
“More than just meeting current needs, HYC is stepping in at a critical time in these students’ lives and helping break the cycle of homelessness,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “Sometimes, a little help can make all the difference.”
In addition to basic necessities, HYC provides youth with life skills training and mentoring. Classes include college prep, employment and career development, cultural diversity, fiscal literacy, and independent living skills. Currently, HYC serves more than 115 high schools across 12 school districts in Maricopa County. For additional information or to join the mission, please visit Homeless Youth Connection at www.hycaz.org.
Make-A-Wish Arizona hybrid Wish Ball event raises $3.1 million to grant future wishes.
Make-A-Wish Arizona is pleased to announce the 2021 Make-A-Wish Arizona Wish Ball presented by Phusion Projects raised more than $3.1 million in a single night. The funds will help grant the more than 548 wishes Make-A-Wish Arizona is currently planning with Arizona wish kids and families.
This event, which celebrates the mission of Make-A-Wish Arizona by raising funds to grant the wishes of Arizona children with critical illnesses, was the organization’s first hybrid event, with approximately 270 attendees in a typical 1,000 person room at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa and many more supporters watching virtually from home.
“I am so proud of the tireless passion and dedication of the Make-A-Wish Arizona team,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “For 40 years, the organization has been a bright star for countless families, granting spectacular, personalized wishes to children facing critical illnesses.”
This year’s theme, Star Light, Star Bright, was the idea of the four co-chairs: Jill Krigsten Riley, Mari Lederman, Jennifer Moser and Renee Parsons.
The total raised included a surprise $2 million gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. Longtime supporters of the cause, over the past 15 years Bob and Renee Parsons have donated more than $12 million to the organization.
“During these uncertain times, Make-A-Wish is offering families much needed, heartwarming magic,” said Founder and CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “The life-changing hope and excitement that a child experiences when a wish is granted is more important now than ever.”
“The gift from the Parsons was the icing on the cake of a successful event,” said President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona Elizabeth Reich. “Since the Parsons started giving, Make-A-Wish Arizona has grown exponentially every year to reach more and more wish kids. This new gift will enable us to keep our momentum as we bring hope to children, even during pandemic restrictions.” Make-A-Wish Arizona has a goal to grant 340 wishes this fiscal year. The chapter granted 255 during the 2020 Fiscal Year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
