One of SHINE’s (Sun Health Involvement Never Ends) most successful events last year was the backpack drive to benefit foster children in the West Valley.
The initial goal was to buy and fill 60 backpacks, but a surge of resident and employee contributions resulted in new backpacks for 242 foster children in the Valley.
This year, the SHINE Committee has set a stretch-goal of 300 backpacks and THEY NEED YOUR HELP.
Please consider writing a check or using a credit card to give to the cause as a tax-deductible donation through the Sun Health Foundation (designate your gift as “Backpack Drive”).
The average cost of a sturdy new backpack stocked with school supplies is just $20.
Details:
- Donations are being accepted now through Friday, July 18.
- Please bring or mail checks made out to the Sun Health Foundation to Sun Health at 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, AZ 85374. (Please don’t forget to write “SHINE Backpack Drive” in the notes line of your check.) You may also contact Josie Peterson at the Sun Health Foundation at (623) 832-5323 to make other arrangements.
- A “stuffing party” to fill the backpacks is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 21 at The Colonnade, Recreation Village, 19116 Colonnade Way, Surprise.
- Backpacks will be presented to a group of foster children at a party scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, July 25 at The Colonnade. Everyone is invited to attend. Last year’s party brought many smiles to the faces of the children and adults!
The drive is held in partnership with OCJ Kids (Opportunity, Community and Justice for Kids) and Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation.
 For information contact Lori Higuera, (623) 236-3773 or email.
(View the SHINE Backpack Drive 2014 flyer.)
