The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing kicks off 30th year of helping Arizonans
Since 1993, Phoenix’s Salvation Army has been able to help more struggling Arizonans get on their feet thanks to a boost from Season for Sharing.
Boys & Girls Clubs around metro Phoenix have tutored more kids.
Shelters run by Chrysalis and Sojourner Center have housed more people fleeing domestic violence.
Food programs at St. Mary’s Food Bank, Waste Not and St. Vincent de Paul soothed more hungry bellies.
More older Arizonans lived independently for longer with help from the Area Agency on Aging and Foundation for Senior Living.
The boost came from you: donors to the annual Season for Sharing campaign, which in 30 years has grown into the state’s largest holiday philanthropic effort. You’ve donated a whopping $73 million-plus over the years. Amazing.
As we kick off this year’s campaign, it’s my privilege as The Arizona Republic’s executive editor to shepherd the effort into its fourth decade. However, the effort truly is a collaborative one by employees of The Republic.
During the next 10 weeks, our newsroom will spotlight the good work being done by nonprofits throughout the state that help teachers and students, aid older Arizonans and support struggling children and families. Look for articles on Sundays and Wednesdays in print and online. We relish the opportunity to showcase these solutions-oriented articles each year.
At the same time, two other key things are happening:
We’re fundraising. You’ll see ads and prompts to text, mail or scan in a donation. Remarkably, most Season for Sharing donations come from individuals who write checks ranging from $5 to $500 or more each year. It’s heartwarming. And this year, we’re able to match donations 50 cents on the dollar up to $450,000 thanks to gifts from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and a donor who prefers anonymity.
We’re reviewing grant applications. During Season for Sharing’s first year, we awarded 68 grants. Last year, 158 grantees were chosen from more than 225 nonprofit applicants. More than 260 applications came in this year. Grants are reviewed by a volunteer committee of Republic employees representing every department of the operation, plus the Arizona Community Foundation. They consider the work to be their way of giving back to the community.
It's an undertaking that can be easily taken for granted.
I’d ask you to take a step back and think. How many babies did not go to bed hungry because of a Season for Sharing grant? How many unsheltered neighbors got a cot for a night or housing for a month? How many kids found a mentor who motivated them to graduate? Countless.
Season for Sharing raises $1.6M: Housing insecurity a priority for grants
At The Republic, our job is to hold the powerful to account, to celebrate the joys and document the challenges of life in Arizona.
Our job is also to help make this place better for all of us. For 30 years, Season for Sharing has been about Arizonans helping Arizonans. Let’s celebrate the milestone. And keep giving and helping those in need.
Greg Burton is executive editor of The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com and La Voz and western regional editor for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at greg.burton@azcentral.com or 602-444-8797. Donate to Season for Sharing by texting SHARING to 91-999, mailing the coupon on Page 4A of The Republic or donating online at sharing.azcentral.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Season for Sharing raises funds for nonprofits throughout Arizona
