Celebrate Youth: Colleen Campbell

During the past 11 years, the Mary Ellen & Robert McKee Branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale has transformed Colleen Campbell from a follower into a leader.

Colleen Campbell. Photo courtesy of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

After standing up to a bully on behalf of another student many years ago, she realized she could influence others in a positive way. Campbell, now a Fountain Hills High School senior, served as a leader in training, participated in community service group Torch Club, and joined Keystone, a leadership and service club for youth ages 14-18.

Nominated by her peers to attend the Keystone Pacific Regional Conference, Campbell strove for a stronger presence in the organization and in her community. She now is the president of Keystone.

Because of her leadership skills, Colleen has been honored as a Youth of the Year, a distinction giving to only one member per branch per year. She will represent her branch – and possibly be named the Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale — at the Celebrate Youth Gala & Auction on Saturday, March 31, at Talking Stick Resort.

More than 30 kids compete for the honor of being named Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. Nine finalists are selected.

The gala is the Club’s premier fundraising event. Individual tickets are $125. The black tie event begins with a hosted bar at 5:30pm, followed by dinner, a live auction and the Youth of the Year Ceremony.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale provide youth development services that instill strong core values and life-enhancing skills in a safe environment. The programs help promote healthy lifestyles, good character and academic success. For more information, visit bgcs.org.

Colleen’s speech

From the Disney movie “The Lion King,” the well-known song “The Circle of Life” talks about knowing where you stand. When it comes to leadership, the understanding of your identity as a person and the role you have in life is crucial. Throughout the years, finding out who I really was, or I who I was meant to be, was solely developed by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale’s Mary Ellen and Robert McKee Branch. Without the experiences I have had over the past 11 years, I would never be the person I am today.

In the beginning of my journey, I always tended to follow the crowd, and constantly hesitated to speak up. I laughed along with all the unfunny jokes and agreed with all the obviously wrong things. I was never able to be my own person. Until the day finally came when my friends were picking on another member at the club who had muscular dystrophy. That’s when I just couldn’t take it anymore. I stood up to them and told them to stop, for what they were doing was wrong. Though I lost some friends that day, I gained the respect of others and found my own voice in return. From that moment on I knew I wanted to be a role model.

Through this experience, my path unwinding to leadership led me to become a leader in training, a position where I could influence others and hone in on my leadership skills. After being a leader in training for a couple of years, and helping the community through Torch Club, a community service group for middle school students, I found my desire to be more of a leader to the pack, than a follower, which led me to Keystone.

Though I was only another member of the Keystone crowd, I was elected to go to the Keystone Pacific Regional Conference my sophomore year. This really inspired me to become a stronger presence in our Keystone club, so that I could help influence policy and others who joined. Being a strong Keystone influence drove me to becoming secretary, where I learned that I really enjoyed the leadership role, and realized that I could be so much more — putting me where I am today, as the ultimate queen of the jungle, the president of Keystone. I know that I am no longer another face in the crowd, but the leader that I’ve strived to be. Throughout my experiences with the Boys and Girls Club, my leadership skills have led me to inspire the pack, lead the crowd and help others find their place, as I did, in the circle of life. Thank you.

Tomorrow: Youth of the Year nominee Kristofferson Walker.

Upcoming events on the community calendar…

Mark Grace Celebrity Invitational

This annual fundraiser brings together more than 200 golfers, including a number of sports celebrities, to help raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. The two-day event will be held on Thursday and Friday Feb. 9 and 10.

It kicks off with The Mark Grace Bogies and Stogies Dinner, which will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale. Individual tickets are $150 and include a specially prepared dinner with carving stations and paired wines, a silent auction and fine cigars.

The Golf Tournament commences at 10 a.m. Friday with registration and tee gifts at The Phoenician Golf Club, 6000 E. Camelback Rd. in Scottsdale and the shotgun start is at noon. Participants will enjoy a round of golf (18 holes), lunch, a cocktail reception and an awards ceremony.

For more information, contact Chris Marshall or visit Mark Grace Celebrity Invitational.

Let the Good Times Roll Charity Event

Cortney’s Place will have its third annual Let the Good Times Roll event from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. The fundraiser will help Cortney’s Place expand its facility to help more adults with physical and mental disabilities continue individual life skill development.

The event will take place at Penske Racing Museum, 7125 E. Chauncey Lane in Phoenix and includes casino games, raffles, prizes, a fashion show and a pop-up boutique from Jimmy Choo.

An Evening to Paws

An Evening to Paws will raise funds for Arizona Welfare League and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Saturday, March 10. The evening will honor a donor who made AAWL and SPCA’s new adoption center possible. The facility will open in April and will allow for double the number of dogs and cats.

The event begins at  7:30 p.m. at the Scottsdale Hilton Resort. Individual tickets are $200. For more information visit Evening To Paws.

notMYkid: Be the Ball

Be the Ball  is a “Caddyshack”-inspired evening of dinner, dancing and a miniature golf tournament to benefit notMYkid, which educates the community about the consequences of destructive youth behaviors. The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at Bushwood Country Club (aka Cracker Jax), 16001 N. Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale.

notMYkid increases awareness of the challenges kids face and provides information and resources to support the success of students, families and educators. For more information about the event, contact Gina Hassett at 602-652-0163.

Lots of ways to help Ronald McDonald House

During February and March, third-party events will help the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix raise money. The Ronald McDonald House of Phoenix offers families a home-away-from-home while their children undergo treatment.

Some of the scheduled events include:

Ronald McDonald House with the Coyotes:

• $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
• Participating games include February 11 against the Chicago Blackhawks, March 10 against the San Jose Sharks and March 25 against the St. Louis Blues.
• Ticket Prices: $25  for upper level and $55 and $90 for lower level.
• For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The Great Urban Race

• Hundreds of people will take the streets of Scottsdale on February 25 to participate in an event that is part race and part scavenger hunt.
• RMHC will receive $20 from each recruited team as well as their wish list of items for their two houses.
• The event starts at 11 a.m. at the Upperdeck Sports Grill and goes until 5 p.m.

IIDA Couture 2012 Fashion Show:

• What: A fashion show organized by the International Interior Design Association Southwest Chapter. A portion of the proceeds will benefit RMHC of Phoenix.
• When: March 1 at 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
• Where: Sheraton Downtown Phoenix
• How much: Tickets are $75 for general admission and $100 for VIP.

Spring Training Fever: AZ Diamondbacks VS. San Francisco Giants

• What: See the 2011 National League West Champions Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants and support the RMHC of Phoenix.
• When: March 4 at 1:10-5:30 p.m.
• Where: Salt River Fields. Click here for directions.
• How much: By purchasing infield reserve tickets from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix for $30 (each), it includes a $9 donation. To purchase tickets, call 602.798.5097

— Erin Saltzman

A call for new and gently used sports equipment

This week, Toyota and Life Time Fitness will collect as much athletic equipment as possible to keep the sports closets full for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale’s recreational leagues and teams.

Through Dec. 18, new and gently used sports equipment can be dropped off at the Life Time Fitness Scottsdale location, 6850 E Chauncey Lane. Everyone who donates will receive a complimentary gift from Toyota and can enter to win a one-year Life Time Fitness membership or $500 gift card.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale have provided more than 100,000 Northeast Valley youth with a positive, supervised environment to explore the power of their potential. Today 16,000 children and teens are served through the organization’s nine branches located in Scottsdale and other Northeast Valley neighborhoods. The Club offers more than 100 youth development programs emphasizing five core areas: the arts; character & leadership development; education & career development; health & life skills; and sports, fitness & recreation.

Fundraiser yard sale and food drive

Sara, Isaac (4) and Seren (10) up north this summer.

Sara Jaynes is a 34-year-old mother of two fighting stage four carcinoid cancer that has metastasized to bones, liver and more. She lived below her means and wasn’t struggling until the enormous medical bills from her treatment started coming in.

Her family and friends rallied in support and the result is a gigantic yard sale until 6pm today at 906 E. Pasadena Ave. in Phoenix (near 10th Street and Camelback Road). The family has been collecting donations for weeks. There will be clothes, toys, household items, appliances, motorcycles and even a bake sale. There is also a food drive to help stock Sara’s pantry.

Nona Catchings, Sara’s stepmother, summed it up best while organizing the yard sale. “We need her to concentrate on getting better and not on keeping the lights on and the kids fed.” If you are unable to attend the sale, you can email helpsara@cox.net to make a donation.

Carrasco honored as “Health Care Hero”

Berdette Carrasco.

Berdette Carrasco, a registered nurse at Arrowhead Hospital in Glendale, was honored as a “Health Care Hero” Aug. 18 at the 10th annual Health Care Hero Awards breakfast at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix.

The event, sponsored by the Phoenix Business Journal and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, honors “the Valley medical community’s best of the best.”

Carrasco was named 2011′s Health Care Hero in the category of Community Outreach for her work with the MISS Foundation’s CARES (Comfort and Resource Enhancement Services) Program. Carrasco works with colleague Dana Southworth to support families expecting babies with life-limiting health problems, offering perinatal hospice services throughout one of life’s most difficult and tragic experiences.

The loss of her 5-year old son Jacob in 2007 from a brain condition inspired Carrasco to help other families facing such challenges. In her acceptance speech, Carrasco thanked her husband along with her three living children “for sharing their mommy with other families in need.”

Carrasco went on to cite her reasons for choosing a career in health care, adding, “For me, to accept the loss of my child as part of a bigger plan has been a difficult journey. I have come to understand that without the experience of caring for my child with special needs…I would not understand the needs of the families I service to the extend that I do. I am proud to say that because of Jacob, I stand before you today.”

Carrasco has been featured in two articles for Raising Arizona Kids: “House of Hope,” about Ryan House (October 2008) and “Finding Purpose in Grief” When Birth and Death Merge”, about perinatal hospice (March 2011).

Finalists and winners were chosen from several other categories, including Physician, Education, Nursing, Dental and Researcher/Innovator and more.

The staff of Raising Arizona Kids extends gratitude and congratulations to Carrasco and all of her fellow 2011 Health Care Heroes for their tireless efforts and dedication to make a difference in the Valley’s medical community. — Mary Ann Bashaw

Back-to-school drives in full swing

Drop off everything from crayons to construction paper at the following events. Visit backtoschoolclothingdrive.com for tips on how to start your own supply drive or to make a donation.

Fulton Homes S.O.S. (Save Our Supplies) for Teachers’ School Supplies
Deadline is Sunday, July 24
Drop-off location: Bins labeled “S.O.S. Drive” at Fulton Ranch Towne Center’s Staples, Old Chicago and The Play Factory (southwest corner of Arizona Ave & Ocotillo Rd, Chandler)
fultonranchshopping.com/townecenter.

Gangplank Jr. School Supply Drive
Deadline is Friday, Aug 5
Drop-off locations:
• Gangplank, 260 S Arizona Ave, Chandler
• Innovations Incubator, 145 S 79th, Chandler
gangplankhq.com

Gilbert Firefighters’ Back-to-School Supply Drive
Deadline is Thursday, July 28
Drop-off locations:
• Chick-fil-As at San Tan Village (on Market St) and Power & Ray Rds
• Walgreens at Cooper & Warner Rds, Lindsay & Williams Field Rds, Baseline Rd & Burk St, McQueen & Guadalupe Rds and Chandler Blvd & Cooper Rd
480-503-6353

Phoenix Back-to-School Brigade
Deadline is Thursday, July 28
Drop-off location:
American Red Cross, 6135 N Black Canyon Hwy #2, Phoenix
operationhomefront.net/arizona

Salvation Army Pack to School Drive
Deadline is Wednesday, Aug 10
Drop-off locations:
Participating Fry’s Food and Drug Stores and Mountainside Fitness locations Valleywide
usw.salvationarmy.org

Staples for Students
Deadline is Saturday, Sept 17
Drop-off locations:
Staples stores Valleywide
dosomething.org/staples-for-students

Stuff the Bus for Kids in Need School Supply Drive
Deadline is Sunday, Aug 7
Drop-off location:
Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W Chandler Blvd, Chandler
chandlermall.com

Compiled by Calendar & Directories Editor Mala Blomquist

United Food Bank seeking donations

Shane Crum, United Food Bank warehouse manager, receives Ryan Rupa's donation.

Eagle Scout Ryan Rupa of Gilbert set a goal for himself: to provide 210 cases of water to United Food Bank. Last Monday, he exceeded that goal, delivering 223 cases, much to the delight of the food bank staff.

“As the temperatures warm up, donations tend to decrease, but the need, especially for water, is still there,” says Bob Evans, United Food Bank President and CEO. United Food Bank provides food to more than 270 agencies throughout five counties in Arizona and serves the entire East Valley.

“I chose United Food Bank because I felt a sense of comfort when studying about them and I knew their goal was a lot similar to mine,” says Ryan. “I chose water because I know how ridiculous these Arizona summers can get and how extreme the temperatures are. It is so sad to think that people can’t drink water when it’s over 100 degrees.”

Ryan went door to door, telling people when he would be by to collect the water. “After the initial collection, I was short, so I asked friends and family to help,” he says.

Others who would like to donate water can bring it to United Food Bank at 245 S Nina Drive in Mesa from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We provide food and water to 230-plus agencies in Arizona, including homeless shelters, soup kitchens, senior citizen centers and kids’ programs,” says Lisa Goin, chief development officer. “During the summer, we never have enough water to serve all of the groups that we help.”

The Town of Gilbert and the City of Chandler have launched a friendly food drive competition for its residents and employees. Several drop-off points have been set up throughout the two communities. Water and non-perishable foods such as tuna, peanut butter, canned vegetables, soups, beans, nuts are needed.

“As temperatures heat up, donations of both food and money dip for us, but the need is still there, so this competition comes at the perfect time,” says Evans.

To get a food donation box at your office or business, call 480-503-6766 for the Town of Gilbert and 480-782-2000 for the City of Chandler. Gilbert residents can drop off donations at Town Hall buildings or any local fire station. For a list of locations where donations can be dropped off in Chandler, visit chandleraz.gov/fooddrive. The competition runs through May 31.

Meet the McAndrews triplets!

During tomorrow’s PANDA “Children Helping Children” Fashion Show, the audience will see many young girls and guys strutting their stuff for the PANDA Healthy Babies Project. What they might not know is that a couple of the children who will be modeling to raise money for neonatal care were actually premature babies themselves.

When Kennan, Liam and Brynley McAndrews were born nearly eight years ago, mom Ashley and dad Kevin did not have the easy experience most parents hope for.

Brynley, Liam and Kennan (7) all spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The two girls are modeling in the "Children Helping Children" Fashion Show. Photo courtesy of Images by Kay & Co. Photography.

After 19 weeks of bed rest, Ashley was quickly approaching her planned delivery date in her 34th week of pregnancy. During a routine checkup, the doctors noticed her blood pressure was through the roof and told her the babies needed to come out immediately.

Ashley and Kevin  remained unbelievably calm at receiving this unexpected news but didn’t know what to expect during and after the delivery. Not realizing how the anesthetic would affect her, Ashley didn’t even realized the C-section had begun.

“It was definitely scary at that point and it’s not like they put your baby in your arms and you get to hold your baby,” Ashley says. “They showed them to me. I had read that if you can see them, you can be somewhat hopeful.”

Shortly after Kennan, the first baby, was born, Kevin heard the doctor say she wasn’t breathing. When Kevin went to see what was happening to his new baby girl, the doctor said very directly, “I can explain to you what’s going on or I can save your child’s life.”

“Neither of us expected that they wouldn’t be breathing on their own,” Kevin says. “I was expecting what you see on TV.”

Within just a few minutes, all three babies had been taken out of the room to be treated and checked for any other complications. “It goes from complete and utter chaos for for minutes, then it’s silence. You’re just like, ‘Wow, what just happened?’” remembers Ashley.

She healed very quickly, which she attributes to her strong desire to see the babies. The babies were in the hospital much longer: Kennan for 10 days, Liam for 12 and Brynley for 20. Each of them had different kinds of problems immediately following the birth — like jaundice, digestive issues and breathing troubles.

Kevin and Ashley McAndrews outside their Paradise Valley home. (Photo by Veronica Jones)

Once all three babies were home, Ashley and Kevin had to adjust to the fact that they had three new little people to take care of, which meant lots of organization to keep the system running smoothly. With each baby needing to eat every three hours, there were feedings going on every hour and a half, day and night.

Amongst all this chaos, in a very tiny house, Kevin still had to go to work. “I came home and I would kind of look at the door at 5:30 and say, ‘My day is just starting,’” Kevin says. One day he walked into the house to find Ashley hysterically, trying to balance all three babies in her arms, legs and whatever other way she could find.

Even though there were some challenges in the beginning, all five members of the family managed to make it through. “Now they’re doing great,” Ashley says. “They’re in first grade and despite their problems with fine motor skills or vision or whatever, they’re far above grade level.” They have all developed into very different personalities as well. Brynley is funny, outgoing and loves the spotlight; Kennan is sweet and understanding of things far beyond her years; Liam has a huge heart and a desire to help others.

Liam will not be in the fashion show but the girls are very excited. The show and luncheon take place from 10:30am-2pm Saturday at The Phoenician.

Learn more about PANDA. — Veronica Jones

ICAN turns a young man’s “wishful thinking” into reality

Jonathan Davis.

When Jonathan Davis was 6, he was living in a three-bedroom apartment with seven other family members. His father was dead. His single mom was struggling to provide for her family.

“The neighborhood I grew up in (had) a lot of gangs running the streets…doing drugs and (participating in) graffiti,” Jonathan recalls. There were a lot of negative influences that could have led Jonathan into gang activity and substance abuse, but Chandler-based ICAN helped keep him focused on school and making the right decisions for his future.

Earlier this year, Jonathan, now 20, got to share his story with NPR’s StoryCorps. His interview will be archived in the Library of Congress.

“Without ICAN, I don’t know where I’d be today,” he says. Three of his siblings never completed high school.

Jonathan had dreams of attending college but worried that “it was wishful thinking.” Little did he know that the skill sets and relationships he built at ICAN would help him reach his goal. While in high school, Jonathan met ICAN supporters John and Patty Breeding at an event where Jonathan was presenting. The Breedings were so inspired by Jonathan’s story of overcoming the challenges he faced in his life that they offered to sponsor him through college.

John Breeding says Jonathan is “a fine young man” who will create a long-term, positive impact on our community simply by being educated. “Patty and I feel like you have the qualities of someone who…will bring change and will improve and motivate everybody around you,” he tells Jonathan. “You’re the kind of person who’s going to make the world a better place. Patty and I are very proud of you.”

Jonathan is currently completing his first year of college at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, where he earned As and Bs his first semester. He has set his sights on music production when he completes his studies. He’s still involved in ICAN, where he works as a youth trainer.

“Going through hard times can make a man out of you,” says Breeding, who describes himself as Jonathan’s “sponsor, sometimes mentor and biggest fan.”

ICAN provides free, comprehensive out-of-school time programs that empower youth to be productive, self-confident, and responsible members of the community. Learn more.

Will you get a lucky duck?

The Leslie’s Lucky Ducky Derby of Arizona aims to grow this year’s participation from 20,000 to 40,000 ducks, while raising money to benefit charities and children in Arizona. The 24th annual duck race will take place from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, May 7 at the Scottsdale Waterfront. This year’s race includes family-friendly activities and vendors.

Ducks can be adopted at any of Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies‘ 53 Valley locations starting April 1 or online at lesliesluckyduckyderby.com. Ducks can be purchased for $5 each or in packages: five ducks for $20, 15 ducks for $50 or 30 ducks for $100. With each duck they adopt, participants are entered in a drawing to win $10,000.

Adopters are invited to cheer on their ducks as they are dumped into the canal and “paddle” toward the finish line. The official dump time is set for 1:30pm.

City of Scottsdale Parks & Recreation will host a Day of Fun in conjunction with the event from 11am to 2pm. Activities will include kid-oriented games, a photo booth, fingerprinting by Scottsdale Police Department, entertainment, food and more.

This year’s race benefits Arizona Children’s Charities, including Ronald McDonald House Charities, City of Hope, Run the World, Rotary International, Mountain View Family Church, Scottsdale Cares, The Phoenix Conservatory of Music, Big Brothers Big Sister of Central Arizona and The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix and The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

Learn more about the event.