Supporters Like You

I first became aware of Child Crisis Arizona when children from the agency’s emergency shelter attended the elementary school where I was a teacher and librarian. A few years ago, Child Crisis Arizona gave a presentation at one of my civic group meetings. I was reminded of their important mission and learned more about their programs beyond the shelter, including foster/adoption, family education, counseling, and early education for low-income families. At that time, I was a member of the Leisure World Foundation Board. I am pleased to have helped facilitate a connection that has turned out favorably for both organizations. Increasing my engagement with Child Crisis Arizona and witnessing their impact in the community, has made them one of my top charities. I grew up in Kansas on a farm, and helping others was something my parents just did. Thanks to their example, much of my time is now spent in the service of others: volunteering at Friendship Village where I reside, pet sitting and walking dogs for those who become ill or go out of town, making hats to sell for fundraisers, serving on the Foundation Board, and as an ambassador. I would not want it any other way. I am happy to share that I made the decision to name Child Crisis Arizona as a beneficiary of one of my assets to help ensure the agency’s impactful work will continue. While I am a private person, I hope that in my sharing, others may be inspired and experience the joy that comes from giving.

– Peggy Dittberner

That all changed when she was invited by one of the founders of Child Crisis Arizona, Betsy Taylor, to take a tour of our Emergency Children’s Shelter. Becky fell in love with our work and the children who were in the shelter. She has been an active supporter ever since.

Becky joined the board of directors of Child Crisis Arizona in 1982, where she served two terms, including time as Board President. Her time with Child Crisis Arizona did not end there. After her time on the board Becky joined the volunteer group, The Friends of Child Crisis Arizona. Today, she serves on the Child Crisis Arizona Foundation Board.

Thirty years later, Becky is still just as passionate about the work of Child Crisis Arizona as she was when she took her first tour. “What has kept me involved for so many years is Child Crisis Arizona’s ability to adapt and change based on trends in the child welfare system,” she says, “no matter what, Child Crisis Arizona has continued to answer the call. They’ve always been incredibly mindful of resources and have continued to make sure funding goes directly toward programs that kids need.”

My mother did not have her estate plan in place when she passed. It was a very difficult experience to grieve her loss and serve as a co-executor without her instructions to guide us. As a result, we decided to prioritize putting our own future plans in order, so that our daughter did not have to go through that same experience.

While we want close family to be the main recipients of our assets, we also feel it is important to include gifts to our favorite charities, like Child Crisis Arizona. We’ve watched this agency grow so much and expand services for children and families. We are confident Child Crisis Arizona will always strive to meet the needs of vulnerable families in our community. We are happy knowing Child Crisis Arizona will be receiving a percentage of our estate when we are no longer here to participate in annual giving.

Today, we have peace of mind knowing we have relieved our child of the burden of guessing what would be our final wishes. It feels great knowing we have made helping vulnerable children part of our ongoing and permanent legacy.

She first learned about Child Crisis Arizona when her employer at the time, Marsh USA, provided pro bono risk management services to the organization. Shortly thereafter, she became a volunteer, spending time with the children in our Emergency Children’s Shelter. She remembers one story in particular when the agency provided shelter to four siblings, keeping them together until the case manager found a home where they could live together.

“The work we do is critical and impacts one child at a time, one family at a time,” Mary says. “Often, it takes many years for us to learn how much difference our efforts made for that individual child or that particular family.”

Mary now serves as a member of the Child Crisis Arizona board of directors. When asked why she continues her involvement she replied, “I believe strongly that every child should be safe and healthy, and that it is important for the community to protect those who are most vulnerable.”

Kathleen was a volunteer at Child Crisis Arizona’s Emergency Children’s Shelter (Crisis Nursery at the time). One evening each week, Kathleen came to help care for the toddlers living at the shelter — serving dinner, engaging with them at playtime, then staying to assist at bedtime. She recalls that tucking the little ones into bed was both her favorite, and at the same time most heart-wrenching, time as a volunteer. “I would give each child a hug, then go to the next one. More than a few times, a child would not let me go and hug me even harder. It broke my heart to imagine the circumstances that brought these beautiful children here, and to know how much they needed these hugs.”

After moving to Georgia, the impact of her time volunteering at the Emergency Shelter stayed with Kathleen. She says, “Supporting Child Crisis Arizona provides a way to help children who do not have the wonderful parents and loving home that I was so fortunate to have.”

Child Crisis Arizona is so grateful for volunteers like Kathleen who have made a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children and for her on-going, long-distance support! Kathleen says she is “pleased to see the growth and expansion of child-focused services offered and will continue to support Child Crisis Arizona’s most worthy cause.”

Bob and his wife, Charmie, have shown incredible dedication to the teen boys in our 10-bed foster care group home, providing them with clothing and other needed items. What makes Bob even more special is that he has made the ultimate commitment to the future of the children in our community by making a significant legacy gift to the organization. This remarkable bequest gift will help to ensure vulnerable children have a safe home for years to come. As a member of the Legacy Society, Bob shares, “Children are important to me. I care about kids and the world I want to leave behind for them. For me, no child should have to suffer unnecessarily.”

I am grateful if in some small way, my legacy contribution can help make this possible.

Fran’s choice to join Child Crisis Arizona’s Legacy Society means she will…

• Provide a gift for future generations and inspire others to do the same;
• Ensure her intentions are known to her family, honored and fulfilled;
• Know she has chosen to give one of the most important and impactful donations of her life.