Left to right: Michele Marks, Karen Fiorenza, Lori Dougherty, Patty Timko, Dava Esman
Daveen Meyers
Being prepared on the first day of school is essential for a student to be academically successful. Knowing how important that is, members of The Women’s Giving Circle participated in Backpacks & More, an annual back-to-school event held at Palm Valley Church. Community resources, food, uniforms, and school supplies were provided to assist families living in Goodyear, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Tolleson, and Cashion. Our members greeted families; distributed backpacks, school supplies, and school uniforms; and helped families load groceries. The event is a partnership between the Salvation Army, Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank, AZ Community Impact, Avondale Family Resource, and the church.
In addition, The Women’s Giving Circle led the PebbleCreek community last month in a fundraising drive for the Southwest Family Advocacy Center (SWFAC). SWFAC is a facility-based program that is dedicated to protecting children from abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Law enforcement officers can bring children to the facility when they are removed from dangerous situations, and SWFAC provides a safe and comforting place for these children to stay. Based on SWFAC’s needs, we donated nearly 100 dodgeballs, basketballs, and soccer balls and over 70 journals, science kits, sketch pads, and drawing books as well as coloring pencils, markers, and pens. These donations will definitely make a difference for the children at SWFAC! The Women’s Giving Circle thanks all PebbleCreek residents who contributed to the drive.
“The back-to-school drive and the SWFAC fundraiser are two examples of how The Women’s Giving Circle is helping those in need in the greater Goodyear community. We also help at the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank and the St. Mary’s Food Bank,” points out TWGC Volunteer Committee Chair Lori Dougherty. “We invite all women in PebbleCreek to join our club and participate in these charitable programs,” says President Sherry Trefz. Go to thewomensgivingcircle.org to join.