Your donations can go a long way in helping Haitians. Below is a list of ways you can help. The most vital thing we can do to help is a make a monetary donation to one of the organizations below. Donations will go directly to helping those on the ground with disaster relief efforts  in Haiti.

Arizona’s Family Cares: Help for Haiti
Monday, January 18th
5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
100% of donations will benefit victims of the Haiti earthquake

American Red Cross:
www.redcross.org
You can make an on-line donation. When making your donation make sure to earmark it as “Haiti Earthquake Relief”

The Red Cross is also receiving money though a third party mobile fundraising effort sponsored by Mobile Accord. Mobile donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 to send a ten dollar donation to the Red Cross. The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Food for the Hungry:
Local based non-profit organization, Food for the Hungry, is also in need of monetary donations. You can donate and learn more about this organization by visiting www.fh.org or calling 1-800-248-6437.

You can also see updates on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/foodforthehungry

The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is also working on relief efforts in Haiti. The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti since 1950 and currently operates a school, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities spread across two major facilities in Port au Prince.

According to reports from Salvation Army staff in Port au Prince, no one in the compound was injured during the earthquake, but the children’s home, clinics suffered major damage.

The organization is preparing to send more than 44,000 lbs of pre-packaged emergency rations to the country, along with disaster teams.

To help you can make a monetary donation to The Salvation Army via, www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL (725)-ARMY (2769).

Catholic Relief Services:
Catholic Relief Services is readying food and other aid to help families affected by the powerful earthquake that struck Haiti. CRS has committed an initial $5 million to help survivors of the devasting quake.

CRS  has approximately 340 staffers in Haiti. You can help CRS with their relief efforts by donating via phone 1-877-HELP (4357)-CRS (277) or text RELIEF to 30644 or log on to www.crs.org. You can also write a check to Catholic Relief Services and send it to P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, Maryland 21203. Please make sure to note “Haiti Earthquake” in the memo portion of the check.

To determine the status of US Citizens who may have been in Haiti please contact the U.S. State Department at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.

According to a recent study done by Feeding America, one in five Arizona children is dealing with hunger. That is one child too many.

That is why this holiday season we have teamed up with Fry’s Food Stores and the Professional Firefighters of Arizona for the Arizona’s Family Holiday Food Drive.

You can be the one to make a difference in the life of an Arizonan who is stuggling to put food on their table. You can be the one to make a difference in the heart and tummy of an Arizona child whose parents are having a hard time paying the bills.

We ask that this holiday season be the one to a make a difference.

During the month of August 3TV teamed up with another very well-known family to help feed members of Arizona’s family in need during the 3TV, Bashas’ Back to School Food and Supply Drive.

In one month, more than $25,000 was raised for local area food banks and hundreds of school supplies were received.

The donations couldn’t have come at a better time.

Arizona food banks have distributed more than 42% more food in the first two quarters of 2009 versus 2008 according to a study recently released by Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief charity. The report also goes on to say that one in five Arizona children struggle with hunger.

Because of our very kind community we were able to deliver a school bus full of food to United Food Bank on Thursday, but the startling reality is that by next week that food will be gone, distributed to families in need.

That is why, as a community, a family, we need to continue to find ways to support our area food banks. To learn more about how you can help I encourage you to visit www.azfoodbanks.org

On behalf of Arizona’s Family, thank you for caring about your community.

For 12 years now, 3TV has had the privilege of helping raise funds for the MDA Labor Day Telethon. Over the years, our very generous viewers have donated more than $12 million to the local MDA chapter and each year people continue to support Jerry’s kids and the vital mission of the MDA.

This year we are being realistic. We know that times are tough and every dollar committed is extra special this year. So, we thank you in advance for your support. Every dollar you donate helps saves lives.

Here is just a quick list of what your money will do:

$30 will purchase on flu shot
$80 will cover one minute of research
$100 will cover one group support session
$150 will cover one physical, occupational or respiratory therapy consultation
$500 assists one person for one year with the repair of a wheelchair or leg braces
$800 sends one child to MDA Summer Camp
$2,000 assists one person with the purchase of a wheelchair, leg braces or communication device

So, this Labor Day as you enjoy your family, tune into ours as we help to raise funds for Jerry’s Kids. All members of Arizona’s Family will thank you!

3TV’s April Warnecke at the MDA Lockup on Thursday, August 20th. Make sure to tune into the MDA telethon on 3TV starting Sunday, September 6th at 6 p.m.

Hard to believe that kids are heading back into the classroom. As our youngest members of Arizona’s Family head back to school we know that this year they may need a little more help than in year’s past.

That is why we partnered up with local grocer, Bashas’, for the Back-to-School food and supply drive. During the entire month of August you can donate non-perishable food items and school supplies at any Bashas’ store in the state. Your donations will go directly back into the community to help our students go back to school with a full stomach and backpack.

So, next time you are out shopping, visit your local Bashas’ and help a kid get a fresh start to the new school year…donate to the Back-to-School food and supply drive. Arizona’s students will thank you!

Learn more about the organizations benefitting from the Back-to-School food and supply drive.

Associaton of Arizona Food Banks

Communities in Schools of Arizona

July 27, 2009 marks the second anniversary of the helicopter crash that took the lives of our friends Jim Cox, Scott Bowerbank, Rick Krolak and Craig Smith.

Shortly after the crash our community banded together to embrace us as we navigated through the pain and confusion. A year later the community came together again to memorialize the men who meant so much to all of us. Through donations the memorial at Steele Indian School Park was created and dedicated on July 27, 2008.

Soon after the tragedy, the family of Jim Cox created The James Alan Cox Foundation for student photographers. On December 8, 2008 the organization handed out the first scholarships from the foundation. The scholarships were handed out to five high school students and three college students. More than 250 applications from students all over the country were received.

Now, two years later the pain is still there and that warm embrace of a community who cared so much still warms our hearts. We will never forget Jim, Scott, Rick and Craig. We will take their lessons to heart. Live your life to the fullest, find your passion and go for it!

Everyday we are faced with decisions. What route should I take work today? What do I want for lunch? What should I do this weekend?

But for many Arizona citizens, non-profits and businesses the decisions they are faced with are more stark. What bill should I pay this paycheck? Should I get an emergency food box this month? Do we stop providing certain services if our donations are down?

But something can be done. You can choose to help. Take some time today and visit the Golden Rule in Action site to find out how you can choose to help Valley non-profits fulfill their missions. On the site you will find the most urgent needs of each participating organization.

The Golden Rule in Action is the brainchild of the Arizona Interfaith Movement (AIM).  AIM has worked tirelessly to help mitigate the impact of the current economic crisis on our state by marshalling our community’s resources to help create new and cost effective collaborations wherever possible.

So, today, when you have a spare second, make the decision to take a look and choose to help.

3TV’s Gibby Parra reporting live from the Save our Summer Blood Drive.