February 2008
Bank Note$ - News You Can Bank On
Small Business Contributes in Big Ways
When Shelley L. Bade opened SL Bade & Associates, LLC in January 2007, she resolved to contribute to the community year-round. The start-up commercial real estate and consulting services firm stayed true to its promise and donated more than $90,000 in its first year of business to charities, organizations, sporting and entertainment venues. Now as a new year is underway, SL Bade & Associates, LLC continues to take a proactive role in the community.
Shelley's custom of donating tickets to her company's suites at the US Airways and Jobing.com arenas make her hosting of organization and community events eagerly anticipated. One of SL Bade & Associates' hottest 2007 donations went to the Peoria Firefighters Charities, which sparked an invitation for Bade to ride along with the Peoria Fire Department. Bade recalls, "I spent a day in their shoes going on calls and experiencing how the department works from the top down. Captain Danny Comella and the rest of the battalion rolled out the red carpet for me. It was a most incredible day."
Most recently, SL Bade & Associates, LLC was a Silver Sponsor of "The Sweetest of Nights: A Cabaret Gala" featuring Karen Mason and benefiting Theater Works. Fundraiser coordinator of the Theater Works event, Sue Tormala, said, "Shelley is very wonderful to work with - a great contributor and supporter of organizations in the West Valley."
Shelley Bade intends to continue making more notable contributions to the community in 2008 through event sponsorships and donations. For information about SL Bade & Associates, LLC call (623) 594-0594, or visit www.bade-associates.com.
Thanks from Sarah Teixeira - I did it!
It is with great excitement (and very sore muscles!) that I report that I successfully completed P.F. Chang's Rock & Roll Marathon on January 13, 2008 on behalf of Team In Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me on this incredible journey over the past six months.
Thanks to the generous response I received from friends, family, co-workers, and the community I was able to not only reach, but surpass, my fundraising goal for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I know I was able to make a difference because all of the funds will go towards research and patient services for people with blood related cancer.
When I was running the race, I couldn't help but think off all of you who gave your support, believed in me, and helped me through these past few months. Those thoughts carried me across the finish line.
Taking on this challenge could have been overwhelming for me. However, not a day went by without someone asking about my progress and offering encouragement. Those words gave me the strength and energy to keep on going.
As I passed mile marker 26 of the marathon and realized I was actually finishing the entire race, a dear friend and ACB client, Lucy Parrish (Lucy is the center person in the picture of the three runners), ended up next to me and helped me cross the finish line with a huge smile on my face. It can't have been mere coincidence. To me she represented my entire group of supporters. I couldn't have done it without you!
Thank you.
Make-a-Wish Makes Magic
Kim Lewis, Make-a-Wish Foundation's Director of Development and Communications, is also a volunteer wish granter. In August 2007, she encountered 14-year old Peoria resident Phillip and his family. Diagnosed in June 2006 with bone cancer, Phillip is an amputee who relies on a walker and prosthesis. Despite these challenges, he remains an energetic, fun-loving young man who loves NASCAR and Tony Stewart, as is evidenced by the Tony Stewart logos on his prosthetic right leg.
When Rick Watson of Charitable Auto Resources heard about Phillip's love of NASCAR, he invited the entire family to join him in November for the race. Phillip and his family were treated to a special day at NASCAR, including seats at turn two. After an exciting day, Phillip went home with a variety of race fan gear, including an autographed Tony Stewart jacket, pit sign and a souvenir piece of his car. For information about the Make-a-Wish Foundation, visit www.wishaz.org.
Hickman's Family Farms Sponsors Competition
New River artist Karen Friend is headed to the White House to represent Arizona at the annual White House Easter Egg competition during the 2008 Easter festivities in Washington D.C. According to Sharman Hickman Silva, nine Valley artists had their decorated egg creations judged January 2 at Banner Estrella Medical Center for the chance to represent Arizona at the national competition. Hickman's Family Farms sponsored the event.
Hickman's holds the contest each year at Banner Estrella to allow professional and amateur artists the opportunity to decorate an egg that best represents the state of Arizona. Decorators are required to use only Hickman's size large chicken eggs, with contents removed and the small end of the egg pointed up. As part of the partnership, Hickman's also made a donation to Banner Estrella Women and Infants Services.
Footlights Instead of Footlockers
Camp doesn't always require canoes. Theater Works will offer four sessions of camp for young performers this spring and summer.
Spring Break Camp is scheduled for March 17 through 21 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and repeated March 24 through 28. Cost for the camp is $225.
The two sessions of Summer Theater Camp are June 2 through June 27 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and July 7 through August 1. Cost for each session is $500. Before and after care for children attending the camps is available for an additional cost. Jim Gradillas remarks, "These camps involve a lot of hard work, but the kids love what they are doing as they learn."
For information about Theater Works for YOUth, contact Jim Gradillas, Youth Programs Manager at 623-815-1791, ext. 108.
Flower Power: Keep Revenues at Home
Judy Haenel, owner of The Tulip Tree at 59th Avenue and Bell Road and founder of Pass It On Day, says, "Resist the temptation to order flowers from the 1-800-number services online. Just say no."
She says that among the many hazards facing online floral purchases is the fact that the consumer is not talking to a florist. She observes, "You are talking to somebody at a phone bank who-knows-where. He or she simply forwards your order on to a supplier, and if you're very lucky something resembling your request will eventually be delivered to your intended recipient. However, there are no guarantees. What I can promise you; however, is that you are almost assured of paying way too much and being deeply disappointed. And, the sales tax is going out of state along with your over-priced order."
Judy says, "We have some very popular flower occasions coming after up after Valentine's Day, including Easter, Mother's Day, graduation, and so forth. Be good to yourself, good to your loved ones, and good to the local economy. Call a local florist for help. We can help prevent problems so that when you say it with flowers, you are saying the right things."
For more information, call Judy Haenel at 602-978-3097, or visit www.tuliptreeflorist.com.
Hike for the Homeless on March 1
St. Joseph the Worker, an employment service dedicated to the city's homeless, will hold its 10th Annual Hike for the Homeless on Saturday, March 1 at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Hiking options include a half-mile, 2-mile, and 7-mile trail led by a volunteer. Registration is $20. A $10 student/youth rate is also available.
For additional information, contact Amy Caffarello at 602-417-9854, or visit www.sjwjobs.org.
Inaugural Ride Results
Dear Ride Sponsors and Committee Members,
We wanted to update all of you on the outcome of the first annual Anthony Holly Memorial Ride. The event provided a donation to the foundation of $18,750.
$11,000 has been sent to the Glendale Boys & Girls Club, [a portion of which] will be used to build a rock climbing wall in honor of Tony. $2,000 was sent to Big Brothers & Big Sisters of the Phoenix Valley. The remainder of the funds has been sent to numerous elementary schools throughout the Valley.
It is difficult to find the right words to thank all of you properly. Your dedication and hard work made all of this possible. Many young people will have more moments of joy in their lives, thanks to all of you -- and thanks to Tony.
Sincerely,
Nancy Bonner
Director, Anthony Holly Foundation
and mother of Tony Holly
Linda Reynolds 'Cares From the Heart'
The symbol for Linda Reynolds' adult home healthcare business is a large heart. Nothing could be a more appropriate symbol for somebody who is a year-round valentine for a great many people. Founder of Care From the Heart, Inc., Linda has spent two decades providing non-medical services for West Valley residents. She says, "We still base our business on the same beliefs and ideals I began with more than 20 years ago. Anyone can provide care, but only the best people provide care from the heart."
Recently ACB was pleased to assist with Linda's expansion into her company's new headquarters (see the November 2007 issue of Bank Note$). Care From the Heart, Inc. is located at 10032 West Bell Road, Suite 106 in Sun City. For more information, visit www.carefromtheheartinc.com.
A statesman looks forward to the next generation."
(Thomas Jefferson)
