Season for Sharing 2022 kicks off, continuing legacy of helping Arizonans in need

After his brother died during the World Trade Center attack, Phil Manning and Carolyn Campbell were looking for ways to honor his memory.

“Terry was a great one for making life count,” Manning said of his younger sibling, Terence Manning.

Then they read about an Afghan mom and kids relocating to Arizona as refugees. The children were similar in age to the then-couple's. "She’s not different from me, other than she’s left her home and can’t go back,” Campbell said.

They reached out to help and found out the family mostly needed housewares and basic furniture. Aiding one family led to helping multiple refugee families — and the founding of the Tempe-based Welcome to America Project.

“It just seemed like a great way to do something other than just put up a flag and say, ‘God Bless America.' Let’s do something that actually helps people,” Manning said.

Welcome to America Project was one of 164 Arizona nonprofits that shared $1.8 million in grants last year as part of The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing campaign.

On Nov. 13, The Republic launches this year's Season for Sharing fundraising and grant-making effort. Fundraising continues through Jan. 31; grants will be awarded in early 2023. More than 250 nonprofits have applied.

Support Season For Sharing: Make an online gift at sharing.azcentral.com.

Since 1993, Season for Sharing has raised and given away almost $72 million. The Republic pays administrative and promotional costs, which means 100% of donations go to charities statewide that help at-risk children and families, support teachers and students, and provide services for older adults.

Grants are made possible primarily through individual gifts and by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The Arizona Community Foundation is a fundraising partner. Those who buy tickets to the holiday Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden also have the opportunity to donate.

Aiding older adults

When Patricia McFall, a 72-year-old Army veteran and retired nurse, noticed her Tolleson home needed repairs, she turned to Google.

“Lord, I can’t do the repairs.... I said, 'What am I gonna do?" she said. "It pulled up Habitat for Humanity."

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona's "Aging in Place" program helps seniors with home repairs and modifications and community resources. The goal is to help them maintain their independence. Habitat received a $7,500 Season for Sharing grant last year to help fund the program. 

A Habitat inspection determined that fire alarms and window screens needed replacing and a front security door should be installed. Flooring and bathroom modifications for safety would also help.

“We focus more on the people who already have a home and … on bettering their home. Making it a safe place, somewhere they can continue to live,” Habitat's Sandybell Rodriguez said.

McFall values her independence and loves being in her home. While recovering from a stroke two years ago, she initially stayed at a senior care facility and doesn’t want to go back.

Supporting teachers and students

Joseline Zepeda-Lopez was struggling with reading comprehension in her third-grade class at her Avondale school when a teacher recommended she join an afterschool on-campus reading program, Read Better Be Better.

Within a month, mom Sandra and dad Jose said she was reading more books and thriving in school. Joseline also puts more effort into spelling out words and even coloring, they say.

“She thinks about how to do things in the best way,” Lopez said.

Read Better Be Better is an afterschool literacy program that pairs middle school students and third-graders to read together two days a week. The goal? Promote and improve reading comprehension and to give students an opportunity to become leaders. West Phoenix based Read Better Be Better received a $7,500 Season for Sharing grant last year to support the program. 

Founder Sophie Allen-Etchart learned from speaking to educators that Arizona students were consistently scoring low on standardized reading tests. She had previous experience in implementing an international literacy program for children in Peru.

“Reading comprehension for me is absolutely … not a luxury," Allen-Etchart said. "Unless you fundamentally understand what you’re reading, you’re not going to continue onto that trajectory of self-actualization.”

Read Better Be Better focuses on schools in low-income areas and struggles to find program coaches. Schools are on a waitlist to join the program.

“Teachers are doing incredible work, but they can’t do everything,” Allen-Etchart said.

Helping families and children

The Welcome to America Project was key to Aziz Safi getting settled in Arizona after fleeing Afghanistan in August 2021, leaving his children, wife and parents behind.

For 13 years, he'd served as a police officer alongside the U.S. military and embassy. While at work, Aziz received notice that he had to leave the building immediately. Taliban forces were headed in his direction and were overtaking the entire city of Kabul.

"I am waiting for that day ... that I meet my family at the airport and welcome them. That is my only hope, my only dream I am just looking forward too," Safi said.

He had an apartment and a bed when he arrived in Phoenix, but nothing else.

"I was just by myself," Safi said. "(Welcome to America Project) provided me everything I needed. I am very thankful."

Safi is working as an accountant. And he's paying it forward, volunteering to repair donated bicycles that are given to refugee families.

"Right now, I am just trying to help other refugees like me," he said. "I know the situation they are facing."

6 ways to give to Season for Sharing

• Fill out the secure, online form at sharing.azcentral.com.

• Text “SHARING” to 91-999.

• Visit facebook.com/seasonforsharing, look for the “DONATE HERE” post.

• Clip and mail the coupon on Page 4A of The Arizona Republic.

• Scan the QR code.

• Give when you buy a ticket to Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden. dbg.org.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing kicks off holiday fundraising