Making a Difference

Glendale's From The Heart Program distributes $224,500 to social service agencies

Nineteen non-profit agencies that provide essential services to Glendale’s most vulnerable children, families and elderly residents received $224,500 in grants on June 24, 2009 from money donated through Glendale’s From The Heart program.

The money will be used to feed Glendale’s hungry and provide home medical equipment for the frail and elderly and emergency programs for victims of violence and abuse.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and BHHS Legacy Foundation CEO Jerry Wissink presented the grant-award checks to agency representatives at a ceremony at The Bead Museum in downtown Glendale.

All the money was raised through Glendale’s From The Heart program, which enables residents and businesses to add $1 to their city utility bills each month. Also, as a result of a new initiative with The Ellman Companies, all money collected from Westgate City Center’s waterdance fountain is donated to From The Heart. The program also receives money through individual donations.
The BHHS Legacy Foundation provides a 50-cent match for every dollar donated to From The Heart. Today’s distribution represents money donated from calendar year 2008.

“We know all too well that the need for these types of services increases significantly during times of a recession and, unfortunately, our residents have not been immune to the financial conditions facing our economy,” said Scruggs, who helped raise more than $10,000 for From The Heart through the Allen Palmer Memorial Fund she established after her father passed away last year. “I’m sure most of us know a relative, friend or neighbor who has lost their job or had to cut back on their daily living expenses over the past year.

“One dollar goes a long way in this program, and I want to thank city utility customers for pulling together during these difficult times to help our fellow residents in need. These social services help people get back on their feet when facing life-changing events.”

Since From The Heart began in 1997, more than $1.7 million has been collected and distributed to non-profit agencies serving Glendale residents.

Agencies receiving grant funds this year include:

• The Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders Association ($6,500)
• Association for Supportive Child Care ($5,000)
• Back to School Clothing Drive ($15,000)
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix ($20,000)
• Casa Center for Prevention of Abuse and Violence ($7,250)
• First United Methodist Church of Glendale ($7,500)
• Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona ($7,250)
• Gabriel’s Angels ($5,000)
• Glendale Family Development Center ($15,000)
• Jewish Family and Children’s Services ($10,000)
• New Life Center ($10,000)
• One Step Beyond ($10,000)
• PREHAB of Arizona ($10,000)
• Salvation Army Glendale Corps ($20,000)
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul ($20,000)
• Solecito Services ($8,500)
• Southwest Human Development ($7,500)
• St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance ($20,000)
• YWCA of Maricopa County ($20,000)

For More on From The Heart

For more on this important program and for information about how you can donate, click here.