These are articles of interest.
Valley View Community Food Bank Grant
Jesse Ramirez, Executive Director of the Valley View Community Food Bank, was today’s
speaker.
He again thanked the membership for their generous donation of backpacks. They will be distributed next week. His usual back-to-school distribution event has once again been curtailed because of COVID-19. He hopes that next year, he’ll once again be able to offer free haircuts. No volunteers are needed this year to distribute backpacks. Jesse did mention that he has 3 pallets of books (6th grade level) that he’ll distribute this year as well as school supplies. He’ll be contacting the Levi Strauss Company to see if they will donate clothing items for next year’s Back-to-School event. He announced that the Food Bank has a new walk-in freezer that can hold 24 pallets of food. More businesses have been stepping up to help the Food Bank this year. He said that the number of clients receiving food boxes is about 500 per day.
His greatest need is for all types of canned goods, which have become very expensive to purchase. He hopes to receive more canned goods through various community food drives. Construction began yesterday on a new 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse near Dysart and Cactus. Jesse anticipates it to be completed by mid-September. A number of local businesses have stepped up to pay for all construction costs. The 3 thrift stores are once again open and able to cover most overhead expenses of the Food Bank. Joseph, one of Jesse’s sons is now managing all three thrift stores.
At the end of the program, Carole Bakken presented Jesse with a grants check for $1,000.
Beads of Courage Grant
Christy Puetz, representing Beads of Courage was today’s speaker.
Beads of Courage is now a Tucson based non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and teens coping with serious illness, their families, and the clinicians who care for them through various Arts-in-Medicine Programs. Started in 2003 at Phoenix Children’s Hospital as a pilot program, it is now in over 240 hospitals worldwide with more than 75,000 children under treatment. The program is carried out by trained nurses, social workers and doctors.
The Beads of Courage Program helps children record, tell and own their stories of courage through the use of colorful beads that honor their courage and acknowledge each step of their treatment journey. Just like medals, ribbons and certificates, many ancient and modern-day cultures use beads to show bravery and accomplishments. In many societies, beads are believed to carry protective and healing powers. Beads are given to children to acknowledge courage displayed during treatment or when a defining milestone is reached. Each type of treatment a child undergoes is designated by a special color or shaped bead. Some of the various beads represent tube placement, test/scan, chemotherapy/immunization, line placement, hair loss, dressing changes, transfer to PICU, radiation, and infusions to mention just a few. An average cancer treatment cycle involves a children receiving over 500 different beads. Parents of children that have passed away receive a special glass butterfly bead in memory of their child. None of the beads are commercially available to the general public. Many of the beads are manufactured in large quantities while others are handmade by a variety of artisans. Beads of Courage is a member of International Society of Glass Beadmakers.
At the end of Christy’s presentation, Carole Bakken presented her with a grants check for $1,000.