By Erica Shipione
The Valley is home to so many amazing nonprofits, from animals to education, there is no shortage of ways to give back. If you’re looking for a way to connect with our local community, we’ve listed a few ways you can get involved in a small, or big way!
Foster a Furry Friend
If you have the time and space in your home to foster an animal, this can be a rewarding way to give back to man’s best friend! Across the Valley, you can find rescues that cater to every type of animal. many focusing on helping specific breeds. Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue (DLRR) has dedicated its efforts to finding loving, long-life homes for displaced Labrador Retrievers. The nonprofit provides medical care, rehabilitation and matches each rescue with the perfect, permanent home. Becoming a foster parent provides each dog with a safe space while they wait to go to their new forever home. Amidst the big transition the dogs will make to their new families during adoption, foster parents are involved in the meet and greets to potential adopters and experience the joy of placing the rescue into their new home. For more information on DLRR or how to foster or adopt, visit https://dlrraz.org/.
Donate Your Time
Most nonprofits benefit immensely from the power of volunteers. Volunteering can look like many things, whether it be office work, tech support or giving your time to help with an event, there are opportunities for everyone’s skillsets to be utilized. Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children in Scottsdale welcomes volunteers with endless options to get involved. The nonprofit whose mission is to provide social, emotional and financial support directly to families managing the health and wellbeing of a loved one with pediatric cancer has opportunities for volunteers including fundraising and family events and office administrative assistance. There are also ways for kids and teens to get involved with the ‘Kid Kindness’ fundraisers and ‘Thoughtful Teens’ after school programs to teach the importance of giving back at a young age. For more information on how to volunteer, visit https://azcancerfoundation.org/how-to-help/#volunteer.
Attend a Community Event Benefitting a Nonprofit
Giving back to your community can be as simple as choosing to attend an event donating proceeds to a nonprofit. The Four Peaks Oktoberfest annualoutdoor Bavarian themed fundraising event combines live music, food and drinks, games, carnival rides and more, all while benefitting an internationally recognized non-profit, Tempe Sister Cities. Proceeds from Four Peaks Oktoberfest are used to send Tempe high school students to nine of Tempe’s sister cities student exchange program. The 50th Four Peaks Oktoberfest presented by BETMGM and sponsor Four Peaks Brewing Company is set for October 13 through 15, 2023. For more information, volunteer opportunities, or discounted presale tickets, visit www.fourpeaksoktoberfest.com.
Simply Make a Donation
Let’s face it, life can get busy, but helping a nonprofit can be as simple as making a donation. The Giving Group AZ has taken the strength in numbers approach with a group effort to make a difference. Four times a year, the group collectively donates to a different local charity. Each member of the group donates $100 quarterly which is combined to reach a goal of $10,000. Every 90 days, members of the group nominate their favorite nonprofits for consideration and from there, four are drawn and the group votes for the final decision. Since 2017, the organization has donated $272,628 to local nonprofits and has grown to 170 plus members. For more information on The Giving Group AZ or to join the organization, visit https://tggaz.org/.