City of Glendale - News

Straight From The Heart

Social service agencies receive funding through city's From The Heart program

Eighteen non-profit agencies that provide services to Glendale’s most vulnerable children, families and elderly residents received financial grants today from money donated by Glendale utility customers and businesses.

The money will be used to fund such services as home-delivered meals for Glendale’s frail and elderly residents, support programs for teenagers and emergency programs for victims of violence and abuse.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, BHHS Legacy Foundation CEO Jerry Wissink and Quality of Life Community Services Executive Director Paige Garrett presented the grant award checks to agency representatives during a special reception today (Tuesday) at The Bead Museum in downtown Glendale.

The $179,000 distributed to the agencies was raised through Glendale’s From The Heart program, which enables residents to add $1 to their city utility bills each month. Businesses also donate to the program.

The BHHS Legacy Foundation provides a 50-cent match for every dollar donated to From The Heart. Today’s $179,000 distribution represents the money donated by residents and businesses and the foundation match from calendar year 2007.

“These non-profit agencies serving our city are negatively impacted during a downturn in the economy like we are currently experiencing, so this money is coming at an important time,” said Scruggs. “I applaud our utility customers and businesses for continuing to give back to the community through this program to provide assistance to our residents in need of these essential services.”

Agencies receiving funding this year:

• Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders Association
• Back to School Clothing Drive
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix
• Casa Center for Prevention of Abuse and Violence
• Clinica Adelante
• Community Legal Services
• Gabriel’s Angels
• Jewish Family and Children’s Services
• New Life Center
• One Step Beyond
• PREHAB of Arizona
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul
• Solecito Services
• St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance
• Teen Lifeline
• West Valley Child Crisis Center
• YWCA of Maricopa County

Since From The Heart began in 1997, more than $1.5 million has been collected and distributed to non-profit agencies serving Glendale residents. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to providing services to citizens.

In the coming years, Glendale officials are hopeful the amount of money raised for From The Heart will increase as the result of a new initiative with The Ellman Companies. Beginning last month, all money collected from Westgate City Center’s waterdance fountain will be donated to the program.

CLICK HERE to learn more about From the Heart.