FEBRUARY 2021 VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2 In partnership with BHHS Legacy Foundation
THE
LuckY
ONE
Valley visionary and father of the Fiesta Bowl recalls his fortunate life
COWGIRLS HISTORICAL FOUNDATION + BACKPACK BUDDIES + PARENTS OF ADDICTED LOVED ONES
MOTIONLESS MOTIVATED
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EDITOR
PUBLISHER
Karen Werner
Andrea Tyler Evans
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
FRONTDOORS TV HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Neill Fox
Carey Peña
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Tom Evans
PUBLISHING COORDINATOR
Jillian Rivera
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Lesley Kitts CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Coleman Shoshana Leon Judy Pearson Catie Richman McKenna Wesley
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On the Cover Bill Shover on location at the Ziegler Fiesta Bowl Museum.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT YOU’RE SAYING....... 06 Reader feedback
{feb 2021, volume 19, issue 2}
EDITOR’S NOTE...................... 07 A History of Neighbors Helping Neighbors 10 QUESTIONS WITH.......... 08 Matt King, executive director of the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association BOOKMARKED....................... 11 Robert E. Kravetz, MD, FACP, MACG OFFICE DOORS...................... 12 Kathleen H. Goeppinger, PhD, president and CEO of Midwestern University KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE.... 16 Just Try It—Dermaplaning A 2ND ACT.................................. 21 A Clown’s Legacy—Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central & Northern AZ
40
36
COVER STORY....................... 24 Valley visionary and father of the Fiesta Bowl, Bill Shover recalls his fortunate life NEXT DOORS.......................... 33 Backpack Buddies project provides critical items for students in need STYLE UNLOCKED............... 36 Saddled Up for Service CHARITY SPOTLIGHT........ 40 Parents of Addicted Loved Ones KITCHEN DOORS.................. 42 Let’s Eat! CHEERS TO THE CHAIRS... 45 Diane Might and Kolby Moffatt OPEN DOORS......................... 48 It’s Time to Celebrate Our Community Champions
24 NONPROFIT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE + Arizona
+ Midwestern
+ BHHS
Basketball Coaches Association Legacy Foundation / Legacy Connection + Cowgirls Historical Foundation + Fiesta Bowl Charities + Legacy Backpack Buddies
+ Parents
University of Addicted Loved Ones + Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona + Waste Not
WHAT YOU’RE SAYING {reader feedback}
“ Such a great issue! Thank you for keeping the light on philanthropies in the Valley.” — COLLEEN KATZ
Today’s children. Tomorrow’s leaders. Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Supporting future leaders by growing strong readers through Read On Arizona. ReadOnArizona.org
“ Thank you for helping to educate our community about human trafficking.” — NICOLLE WALKER
“ We are honored to be included in your publication, and look forward to sharing it with all of our friends.” — MICHAEL CAVALIER
Send Your Comments To: publisher@frontdoorsmedia.com
© 2021 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
EDITOR’S NOTE {on the job}
A HISTORY OF NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
O
On Valentine’s Day, 1912, Arizona became the last of the 48 contiguous U.S. states to be granted statehood. Since then, visitors, newcomers and multi-generation Arizonans have reveled in its inspiring landscapes, rich heritage, cultural diversity and endless possibilities. To celebrate our state, every February, Frontdoors Magazine highlights nonprofit and community organizations celebrating their own milestone years. One of those is BHHS Legacy Foundation, an Arizona grantmaker that is celebrating 20 years of community impact. BHHS Legacy Foundation has partnered with Frontdoors Media on this special issue to help shine a light on several organizations that make our state great. BHHS Legacy Foundation was funded from the sale of Baptist Hospitals and Health Systems in 2000 so that the fund investment earnings from the proceeds of that transaction would continue to enhance the quality of life and health of those in the Greater Phoenix and Tri-State regions. Today, more than two decades later, BHHS Legacy Foundation has invested over $110 million in Arizona nonprofits to support health-related projects and programs in those communities. Over the years, Legacy has partnered with a number of organizations to improve the lives and health of Arizona’s citizens. One of those is Fiesta Bowl Charities. In 2018, Fiesta Bowl Charities and BHHS Legacy Foundation donated the field originally used at the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl in Phoenix to Bullhead City’s Firebird Field at Rotary Park. Thousands of youth from the Tri-State communities now use that 80,000-squarefoot expanse of grass to participate in ball leagues and intramural sports. The following year, Fiesta Bowl Charities and BHHS Legacy Foundation teamed up with KaBOOM! to build a children’s playground at Fort Mohave Community Park.
Closer to home, and more recently, Fiesta Bowl Charities and BHHS Legacy Foundation partnered on the recent opening of “Fiesta Bowl PLAY,” a 20,000-square-foot play area at Margaret T. Hance Park that millions will enjoy for years to come.
Our cover story shares the fascinating tale of how the Fiesta Bowl got started, thanks to the efforts of Bill Shover. As the Fiesta Bowl celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it’s a history every Arizonan should know. But that’s just one story. Whether it is Ronald McDonald House Charities and its quest to keep families together and close to the medical resources their children need, or Parents of Addicted Loved Ones and its service to parents of struggling addicts, or Midwestern University’s efforts to educate the healthcare professionals of tomorrow, or Legacy’s own Backpack Buddies program, which provides clothes and school supplies to children in Title I schools, this issue highlights several organizations BHHS Legacy Foundation proudly supports. In them, we think you’ll see the Arizona spirit of neighbors helping neighbors, which helps to keep our heritage, diversity and possibilities as inspiring as they have ever been. Karen Werner | EDITOR
FRONTDOORS MEDIA
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10 QUESTIONS {fascinating people}
MATT KING
Executive director of the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association
1
Tell us about yourself. Do you have a background in basketball?
I walked on as a basketball player at the University of New Mexico. I was a three-time all-state player in high school but was a Division II basketball player masquerading on a Division I team. My passion, even while I was playing, was to be a coach. I was a high school coach for 12 years — eight in New Mexico and four at Sandra Day O’Connor High School in North Phoenix.
2
How did you start working with the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association?
The ABCA has been around a lot longer than I have been involved. About five years ago, I was coaching and, though the organization had dissolved, two of my colleagues, Todd Fazio and Mark Wood, called and asked if we could get together to chat. During that conversation, we decided that simply out of a desire to solve some basic problems for coaches in our state, we could try to revive the organization. We never expected or planned for it to get where it is today.
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3
How does the organization serve the community?
We do a variety of things, but all of them fall into three buckets. Coach development, where we work to provide platforms that help develop coaches. Youth development, where we provide affordable and safe places for youth basketball to grow in our communities. And elite development, where we provide events where the best of the best can have a platform to be seen and gain exposure to play at the collegiate or even the professional level potentially. We serve about 10,000 kids per year.
4
How does ABCA help coaches, and why is this help so critical?
We believe that putting a good coach with every kid that picks up a basketball in Arizona might be one of the most critical things we can do. A good coach in a community impacts lives in ways that almost no one else can. We exist to help make good coaches’ lives easier.
5
Partnerships are key to making this work. Tell us how you’re working with local organizations.
For us to survive, we must partner with like-minded organizations like BHHS Legacy Foundation, the Police Activities League, and the Boys & Girls Clubs. The ABCA is an organization of organizations and at our core is a desire for every organization that provides basketball programming to be successful. We are not the heroes; every coach in every organization in Arizona is the hero. We want to come alongside them and the organizations they are coaching and try to make the environments they operate in as productive as possible.
6
What are some of the biggest challenges you face?
Bad coaches. When I say bad coaches, I mean people doing things to get something from a kid rather than doing things to give something to a kid. Our goal is to make the Arizona environment incredibly appealing for good people to work with kids and terribly difficult for bad people to be around kids.
7
How can basketball help kids?
Basketball is a permission slip for connection, and connection always helps kids. Connection to others, opportunity, education and healthy lifestyles are just some of the things that this little ball can provide.
8
How has the pandemic affected young players?
During this last year, it has become so evident how important activity is for kids. The ability for them to connect with others is vital from a physical and mental-health standpoint.
ABCA offers a competitively priced competition league for non-traveling 3rd-8th grade boys and girls.
9
What has ABCA been doing during these days of COVID?
We have done various things to try to stay engaged and promote a healthy and safe environment. We have provided dozens of virtual clinics. Right now, our biggest priority is our work in the Maryvale community alongside BHHS Legacy Foundation, the Police Activities League, and the Boys & Girls Clubs. We have done a clinic for kids at the Jerry Colangelo Boys & Girls Club and are preparing to give away 5,000 brand-new basketballs in a program partnering with the Phoenix Jr. Suns to mentor kids in the community.
10
What are your goals for ABCA?
Our goal is straightforward. We won’t stop until there is a good coach with every kid that plays the game in the state of Arizona. We invite people to follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @azbballcoaches. To learn more, go to azbasketballcoaches.com.
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MARCH 21, 2021 | 2 PM THE SHOW WILL GO ON! This one-of-a-kind, virtual storytelling event will redefine courage and the human potential. Guests from coast to coast can watch on their phone, tablet, laptop or TV — wherever they may be — from the comfort of their own home. To learn more and join the fun, visit A2ndAct.org
Performance proceeds benefit the programs of A2ndAct.org
BE AMUSED
BE INSPIRED
S.T.A.R.S. Supporter
JUST BE THERE!
BOOKMARKED {what are you reading?}
ROBERT E. KRAVETZ MD, FACP, MACG Founder and curator of the Medical Museum at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, the only medical museum in the state
RECOMMENDS:
“Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World” by Fareed Zakaria
H I S TA K E "Fareed Zakaria is a well-known intellectual with an international affairs program on CNN and a weekly column in The Washington Post. Soon after the coronavirus pandemic began, he sat down each morning to think, research and write, not about the unfolding crisis but about how the world might look after it passed. His newest book, ‘Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World,’ calls the current pandemic the ‘most transformative event of our lifetimes,’ affecting almost every human on the planet. “Zakaria has observed that our societies have transformed because of this virus, and the trajectory of the journey we are taking is becoming clear. COVID-19 has not just threatened lives but also political stability and the global economy. The pandemic will leave a legacy of high debt, displaced workers, growing inequality and lost trust. Zakaria brings a global perspective on various issues related to health, climate change, global economy and trade, government, technology and social equality. He has laid out ideas and solutions on how to move forward and to avoid future crises. A strong case is made for democracies to focus on the quality of government by analyzing how various countries handled the pandemic. “Each of the 10 chapters summarizes a different lesson that we can and should consider to move forward. Zakaria offers a voice of logic, reason and level of understanding that are inspirational. The book should be a must-read for everyone.” FRONTDOORS MEDIA
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OFFICE DOORS {valley changemakers}
A DAY WITH KATHLEEN H. GOEPPINGER, PhD President + CEO of Midwestern University As told to | Julie Coleman
4:30 a.m. >> BEGIN EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE I am a very early riser and, on the other hand, I’m not up late at night. I immediately get the newspaper and make myself a pot of tea. Once the sun comes up, I walk for at least two miles every morning and think about what I want to accomplish. I count the blessings I have in my life and how grateful I am for a day of beautiful sunshine and the start of another opportunity. I have done this forever because it sets my day in motion. I have a quick breakfast and finish reading my newspaper when I return home, then head to the office.
7:30 a.m. >> KEY LEARNING DURING A DIFFICULT TIME I usually try to get through and clean up the 300–400 emails I receive before staff comes in because my day is then off and running. The most interesting thing about my last year is that up until COVID, I traveled back and forth between our two campuses in Downers Grove, Ill., and Glendale, Ariz., every week for 25 years because I felt I had to have a physical presence on both
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Dr. Goeppinger, president and CEO of Midwestern University since 1995, giving her spring commencement address.
campuses. But once I said we are not going to travel as a university, and that impacts about 10,000 people, the excellent information technology team stepped up, deploying needed equipment to every faculty and staff’s home. It felt like overnight we went from only on-campus, actual presence in the classroom, lab and simulation center, and taking care of all our patients, to flipping and letting our students study from home. We still brought them all in for our patients’ emergency care and simulation exercises in very small, safe groups. I often found not traveling difficult, but also rewarding as you realize you can manage from afar when you must. I truly believe one of the biggest benefits of this pandemic has made us understand that we connect very well with people, even when they’re not in the same room with us. I immediately put together a 35-member response team that included academic deans, key department directors, human resources and information technology. For the first four months, we met every single day
between both campuses. It is amazing what a team this size can accomplish in such a short time when putting all their efforts toward one objective: keeping everyone employed and their benefits in place while continuing to educate our students.
10 a.m. >> ACTIONS + WORDS SPEAK VOLUMES One of the things I learned early on is that you can never over-communicate with your employees. When COVID first hit, I began writing an “Evening Update” letter every night to faculty, staff, students and incoming students that said we are planning, not panicking and then transitioned to explaining what we were doing to protect them, their benefits and the importance of remembering your mental health. I’ve continued to work from my office throughout the pandemic. I felt that if I was going to ask essential workers to be working during this time, I had to see myself as an essential worker right alongside them. I didn’t think it was right for me to bring in security, maintenance, engineering and our large-animal facility people, and for me to sit at home while they had to be here. I want my presence to tell them that I am in unity with all the essential people on this campus.
12:15 p.m. >> KEEPING THE PRESENT + FUTURE IN MIND
Midwestern University is different from other institutions because we are healthcare and offer only master’s and doctorate degrees to 7,500 students. Much of my day is filled with strategic planning meetings. We have continued to design and build all our campus facilities during this time. Therefore part of my day is spent meeting with the design teams and the construction people, talking about what we are going to do next, how we will execute and what else we can do to the campus. We try to stage our construction projects so that they conclude when we need them. As a not-for-profit, I need to have an eye toward a program or something critical to our university for every dollar we spend. As a university, we do a great deal of healthcare planning programs and realized as we went into this that there are professions that will evolve from this national health crisis. We had just started the roll-out of a public health master’s degree, with the first class having a small nucleus of 20 students. With 70 applications for the first class, we realized people are so aware of the need for healthcare today. We are starting four new
Goeppinger observing one of several cows at the University’s Equine and Bovine Center, one of three specialized facilities of the Midwestern University Animal Health Institute, which offers comprehensive and compassionate community veterinary care.
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doctorate nursing programs and are looking at all sorts of new opportunities. But we’ve done it during a pandemic, which made us reflect on what the healthcare need is in the country and what we can do in our planning and strategic thinking to meet that need.
2 p.m. >> A SHARED, SINGULAR PURPOSE I love getting out and seeing the campus; it is very renewing. Being in an academic institution is a challenge. Still, it is refreshing when you realize you are educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. This is a huge, important calling that everybody at this university believes. We’re all here for one reason, and that’s to make sure our students are well-educated and well-equipped for their new professional roles. My favorite place to walk to on campus is to look at my 19 cows. If I need to get away from my desk for a few minutes during a busy day, I go out to the pasture to look at my cows and horses and take a deep breath. I have a favorite cow named Cinnamon. When she was little, I would take her on a walk around campus with a collar and leash.
Goeppinger in one of the many state-of-the-art eye examination lanes located inside the Arizona College of Optometry’s Pre-clinical Methods and Simulation Laboratory.
6:30 p.m. >> WHAT IS … I head straight home from the office, make dinner and curl up with a book or embroider. I’ve always been a big proponent of playing “Jeopardy!” Every night, I turn it on because I love the challenge of it. I can nail “US History,” “Presidents” and “Food,” but somehow missed the chapter on “Greek Mythology.” My mom was a librarian and my dad was an architectural builder, which is probably why I’ve loved building all the facilities at Midwestern. I have a love of all my things wrapped up in my job because I love the idea of growing and planning. To learn more, go to midwestern.edu.
Julie Coleman | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Goeppinger presenting Gerald Wissink with the University’s 2016 Shooting Star Award, which is given to individuals who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment in healthcare, education and community service. Wissink is the president and CEO of BHHS Legacy Foundation, an organization that improves the quality of life and health of Arizonans by supporting health-related nonprofits and community organizations.
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KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE {what’s trending}
JUST TRY IT – DERMAPLANING By Laura Beardsley, Allison Irwin, Gretchen Schubert and Lindsey Williams
A
t-home dermaplaning sounds like an ambitious try, but it’s not as uncommon or strange as you might think. And no, your facial hair won’t grow back thicker and darker if you shave it off! A few of us have been on the dermaplane train — the act of using a blade to skim dead skin cells and hair from your face — for some time now. It’s the professional term for “face shaving.” Most aestheticians offer a dermaplaning service as an add-on before treatments, because removing dead skin cells can help improve the efficacy and penetration of whatever treatment comes next. Keep in mind; most aestheticians use a medical-grade scalpel when performing this on clients. Dermaplaning with a scalpel should only be done by a trained professional. The tools we have used are not as sharp and are safer for the general public. What we love most about dermaplaning are the exfoliation factor and the removal of peach fuzz. Shaving is one of the best ways to exfoliate your skin. You’ll see the dead skin come off your face along with the hair and fuzz — instant shedding gratification! Plus, we all have noticed increased effectiveness and penetration of products such as serums, moisturizers and masks as well as smoother looking and feeling skin. And not looking like you have a beard or mustache? We file that under the bonus category.
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What Is Just Try It? In the world we live in, we are overwhelmed by choices. Everywhere we look, we see new products, fashion trends, recipes, travel destinations, kitchen gadgets, you name it. We all want to “just try it” … but is it worth it? Most people don’t have that kind of time or money. That’s where we come in. Think of us as four new friends trying the latest and greatest and giving you our honest reviews.
Left to right: Gretchen, Lindsey, Allison and Laura FRONTDOORS MEDIA
We tried several at-home tools, including a generic Bic disposable razor, the women’s Tinkle shaver (also disposable) and StackedSkincare’s dermaplaning tool. While the Bic and Tinkle did the job, StackedSkincare’s tool was our favorite. It comes with a higher price point, but with that, it has an aluminum handle (the last you will ever need) and comes with replaceable blades. Each blade is good for four face shaves. We also loved the weight of it in our hands and the overall quality feel. Here are our reviews.
ALLISON: The first time I had my face shaved,
I was nervous. Would the hair grow back thicker? Would it be darker? What was I doing? But I soon realized that what I really should have been asking myself was … why hadn’t I shaved my face sooner? It’s been a welcome improvement in my skin regimen. It makes sense, if you think about it. It’s a manual exfoliation that our skin needs. Along with the exfoliation comes the ability for products to go deeper into the skin, therefore being more effective. I feel and see an immediate improvement in my skin after shaving. It’s smooth and has a glow. The most important tip? Go very slow. Do not rush. You want to avoid nicks and you’d like to keep wanted hair such as eyebrows.
GRETCHEN: I’ve tried to get a dermaplane
LAURA: When this was first presented to me
as a skincare option, I was a bit shocked. Don’t men shave their faces? Why would a woman ever shave her face? I pictured my facial hair growing back rough, like a man’s. But that’s not the case at all. The first few times, I had it done professionally, with a scalpel. I felt like a skinned cat for a few days. It’s an odd feeling not having any peach fuzz on your face. But she would follow the dermaplane with a good mask treatment, and afterward, my skin was glowy, smooth and felt like butter. I loved it! I found myself unable to make the professional appointments all the time, so I invested in an at-home version to remove peach fuzz and dead skin cells at home. While it’s not quite as deep as an exfoliation, I loved being able to do it myself. I have been doing this for several years now and highly recommend it.
LINDSEY: Introducing dermaplaning into my
weekly regimen has become the biggest gamechanger in my skin’s look and feel. I use the StackedSkincare tool, which removes hair, peach fuzz and dead skin and allows my serums and moisturizers to soak into my skin thoroughly. Not only is my skin softer, but it’s also noticeably brighter and clearer.
To learn more, go to justtryit.com.
professionally before, but my skin is way too sensitive as I think a scalpel gets a lot off. So, if you have incredibly sensitive skin like me, try what I do at home. I use the Tinkle, which you can find on Amazon. I make sure to use it after I get out of the shower so that my skin is damp and warm. Make sure to use a face oil and don’t go over the same spot too many times. I love how soft my skin feels and how easily skincare and makeup go on the following week. It’s definitely worth it.
BOTTOM LINE If we had to choose only a handful of tools or products in our makeup bags, a razor would undoubtedly be one of them.
FRONTDOORS MEDIA
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A 2ND ACT {helping is healing}
The original Ronald McDonald House in Phoenix, the Roanoke House is the largest of the three Valley locations.
A CLOWN’S LEGACY
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona supports children’s journeys to wellness Judy Pearson | Contributing Writer
The May 9, 1971, Arizona Republic classified read, “One bedroom, furnished, air-conditioned, pool, carpet. 501 E. Roanoke Avenue.” The small complex in central Phoenix featured apartments and single rooms. Offering both airconditioning and a pool practically made it a palace. Fifty years later, that piece of real estate is so much more. But first, a back story. Two years before the classified ran, then-Philadelphia Eagles football player Fred Hill asked his teammates for help in raising money to fight leukemia, a disease that had stricken his daughter. That request led to the idea of providing free housing for families kept away from home while their children went through medical treatment. The Philadelphia McDonald’s franchise owners got on board, ponying up big money with just one request: to name the facility after their beloved clown. Thus, the first Ronald
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The Dobson House (above) and the Cambridge House (opposite right) are places where families can share treasured moments of togetherness.
McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974, and the concept spread. Across the country, Phoenix resident Suzanne Hanson’s Atlanta nephew was also being treated for leukemia. She watched the difficulties her sister’s family endured, living far from where the boy was hospitalized. Having heard about the Ronald McDonald House, Suzanne and her good friend — and sister Junior League member — Judy Schubert conceived a Phoenix version. They wrote the project proposal on New Year’s Eve 1979, while snowed in at a Pinetop cabin. With the help of the Junior League and the Phoenix-area McDonald’s co-op, the women’s dream of taking a heavy burden off young patients’ families began to take shape. The apartment complex at 501 E. Roanoke Ave. was available and the perfect location. “They began with 15 rooms,” said Karen Thomas, the chief development & marketing officer for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona. “They had to do quite a bit of redesigning, including removing the pool. But on May 15, 1985, the house officially opened. It was the 81st in the country, with a terrific location, near both St. Joseph and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.” Thomas explained that in order to stay close to their children, financially struggling parents had been sleeping bedside in hospitals, in their cars or staying
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“
“ We’ve added two more locations across the Valley and now offer 44 rooms and apartments. In addition to a place to sleep, volunteer heroes provide guests with a hot dinner every night.”
in unsafe, inexpensive motels. The Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home, refuge and respite for families, all at no charge. And how that home has changed. “We’ve added two more locations across the Valley and now offer 44 rooms and apartments,” Thomas said. “In addition to a place to sleep, volunteer heroes provide guests with a hot dinner every night. We have a fully stocked pantry and kitchen so that they can cook for themselves as well. And we have ‘grab and go’ snacks available if there isn’t time for a meal. There’s a playground for families’ other children and a library with a TV. Many of our families have had to leave home in a hurry, packing little. We provide clean towels, shampoo and toothpaste, if needed. And we have a no-charge laundry facility too.” Donations are the primary revenue stream. The per-night cost of housing a family is $107, and normal wear and tear means updates. The three locations just received a much-needed donation of new mattresses, while an “adopt-a-room” program is in progress to freshen them all up with new carpet and paint. The three Valley Ronald McDonald Houses have welcomed more than 55,000 families since their founding. Guests come from across the country for After 91 days at the Ronald McDonald House, Wyatt and Jaycee Ranft were overjoyed to take their baby, Bo, home to Sunflower for the first time.
the Valley’s superb medical care, although 89 percent live in Arizona. No referral is necessary and families can stay at the house to catch their breath, even after their child is discharged. Thomas is overwhelmed by the importance of their mission when she hears stories like that of firsttime parents Jaycee and Wyatt Ranft, from Sunflower, Ariz. “Wyatt is a Hot Shot firefighter and was working a California wildfire. Jaycee was 22-weeks pregnant when her blood pressure became elevated,” Thomas said. “She was visiting her parents in Payson and the ER doctors there sent her to St. Joseph’s Hospital. She was diagnosed with a severe form of preeclampsia that can be fatal.” Wyatt was flown out of California and arrived at Jaycee’s side just in time to see the birth of their baby boy, Bo, weighing in at 1 pound, 10 ounces. Born 100 days early and a micro-preemie, Bo had to stay in the hospital. That left Wyatt and Jaycee far from home with no place to stay. “The Ronald McDonald House was created for situations exactly like that. Happily, they all went home together 91 days later,” Thomas said. This “home away from home” keeps families together and close to the medical resources they need — a wonderful legacy to one of America’s favorite clowns. To learn more, visit rmhccnaz.org.
Judy Pearson | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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COVER STORY {by karen werner}
Whether they know it or not, all Arizonans have benefited from Bill Shover’s tireless work and vision. FEB 2021
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THE
LuckY
ONE
Valley visionary and father of the Fiesta Bowl recalls his fortunate life
C
ivic booster and Fiesta Bowl founder Bill Shover has been making things happen in the Valley for nearly 60 years. “I was a lucky guy,” he said, making light of his accomplishments. “It was the newspaper. I was just a guy doing it for the paper.” His career in newspapers is straight out of central casting. He got his start at 6 years old, selling newspapers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “I learned to make money as a child,” he said, explaining that his Irish Catholic family was short on cash but long on love and had to scramble for whatever they had.
It Started with Notre Dame Shover’s affection for college football dates back to 1933, when his father took him to see Notre Dame play. Later, a well-off brother-in-law treated Shover to one game every season. “I saw every Notre Dame team through those years,” he said. Consequently, Shover dreamed of attending Notre Dame, but couldn’t afford it. So he cashed in some of his luck. A high school teacher had taught him typing and got him into the U.S. Army Headquarters Company at Fort Ord in California. After a 13-month stint, Shover used his G.I. benefits to attend Butler University in Indiana, where he majored in journalism.
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“ I was a lucky guy, It was the newspaper. I was just a guy doing it for the paper.” Promoting the Papers
After graduating, Shover wanted to be a sports writer, but there were no openings. So his first newspaper job was with the Indianapolis Star and Indianapolis News, not as a reporter, but working to promote the papers. Shover organized and promoted events that the newspapers put on, which got him out of the newsroom and into Indianapolis. He wrote unbylined stories about the newspapers’ charities and was on the editorial board. “The publisher let me do a lot of things that gave me many advantages. I was lucky,” Shover said.
A Great Adventure
In 1962, the newspapers’ larger-than-life publisher, Eugene Pulliam, transferred Shover to Phoenix, then a burgeoning city of 350,000. Pulliam gave Shover a simple but broad mandate: “Do good things, but don’t spend too much money.” FEB 2021
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Bill Shover is a legend in the world of Arizona sports. In addition to spearheading the creation of the Fiesta Bowl, he helped launch the Phoenix Suns and chaired the effort to bring Super Bowl XXX to Tempe.
Along the way, Shover got a masterclass in leadership, courtesy of Pullium, who also owned The Arizona Republic and the now-shuttered Phoenix Gazette; Walter Bimson, the chief of Valley National Bank; and attorney Frank Snell. Known collectively as the “Big Three,” these men founded the Phoenix 40, which spawned today’s successful Valley Leadership program. “It was a great time to be here,” Shover said. “Pullium let me roam with all the top people in town with the two great newspapers in the community at the time behind me. It was a great adventure.” The Big Three taught Shover the key to getting things done: not caring who got the credit. “They were three men who stayed in the background and let others look good. To work with them was the inspiration of my life,” he said.
The Birth of a Bowl
Before long, that lesson on the value of behind-the-scenes influence would serve Shover well in a major pursuit: creating a postseason college football bowl game. It started in 1968 when the Arizona State Sun Devils won eight games yet didn’t receive a bowl bid. ASU and University of Arizona officials lobbied the Sun Bowl, one of two sanctioned bowl games west of Dallas, and Sun Bowl officials said they would invite the winner of the 1968 ASU-UA game to participate. But then, they buckled to the ultimatum issued by Wildcats coach Jim LaRue, who said, “Take us now” … or else. As a result, Arizona played in the Sun Bowl, despite losing to the Sun Devils 30-7.
Frustrated, G. Homer Durham, the president of ASU at the time, made an off-the-cuff remark that if the university couldn’t get invited to bowl games, maybe it should create its own. The next day, a local advertising executive named Glenn Hawkins walked into Shover’s office to talk about starting a bowl game. “I said, ‘Well, let’s get a bunch of guys in town who are sports-minded and see if there’s interest in doing it,’” Shover said. Hawkins and Shover sent out invitations and hosted a luncheon at the Adams Hotel downtown. “I said, ‘Guys, what do you think about doing this?’ And they said, ‘Let’s get going!’” Although hundreds of people throughout Arizona were critical to making the notion a reality, a core group of nine men combined their skills and wills to convince the National Collegiate Athletic Association to sanction a bowl game in Arizona. Joining Shover and Hawkins were lawyer Don Meyers, Coca-Cola general manager George Taylor, media executive Karl Eller, banker George Isbell, accountant Don Dupont, hotelier Jack Stewart and stockbroker Jim Meyer. “We had nine people full of enthusiasm, who passed the hat to raise money to go to Washington DC, and make the presentation,” Shover said. “We didn’t worry about who got attention. We were all nine tied for first, I guess you could say.”
The Fiesta Bowl organization has been turning tickets into events, charitable giving and community outreach for 50 years.
Making the Case
Shover and company worked diligently to put together the financial support, university endorsements and stadium plans. They lugged a massive model of Sun Devil Stadium to Washington to show the NCAA’s Extra Events Committee that they had secured a setting with 55,000 seats. Shover made a presentation accompanied by a stirring audio-visual show about the history of bowl games and how they were unfair to teams in the West. “All the teams in the East with so-so records were getting in bowl games when ASU couldn’t get in a bowl game, or Utah, or the good teams we had here at that time,” Shover said.
From its early days, the Fiesta Bowl committee and staff became known for the colorful jackets they wore to events. Over the years, the yellow jacket has become a staple of the Fiesta Bowl organization. FRONTDOORS MEDIA
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Community spirit has always been what sets the Fiesta Bowl apart.
Central to the pitch was the idea that this bowl would be “more than a game.” Profits would go to community efforts, including a program to fight drug abuse. With drug use on campuses on the rise, U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell came to the presentation and let it be known that the administration wanted this game. “All the schools wanted to have programs about drugs at the time, and Mitchell came in with his heavy hand from Richard Nixon and told the committee, ‘We want this game,’” Shover said. With the Western Athletic Conference and the federal government backing the effort, prospects for a bowl game in Arizona looked good. The NCAA accepted the proposal in early 1971.
The Inaugural Game
Community spirit was high on Dec. 27, 1971, when more than 51,000 fans packed into Sun Devil Stadium to watch the first Fiesta Bowl. Mariachi bands, Native American dancers, a jazz choir, and marching bands from local high schools entertained the excited crowd before kickoff. The game itself featured top-10 Arizona State against top-20 Florida State. Arizona’s first college football bowl game was a nail-biter, decided in the final minute when ASU’s Woody Green dove straight into the end zone from two yards out to give ASU the first Fiesta Bowl win. The final score — ASU Sun Devils 45, Florida State 38.
Community Spirit Is Key
Today, the Fiesta Bowl hosts a variety of events every year, in addition to two elite football bowl games. Key to the operation’s success is the team of nearly 3,000 who volunteer their time and skills to the cause. Community spirit has always been what sets the Fiesta Bowl apart. From the beginning, they were looking for a way to differentiate themselves from other bowls, like the Rose Bowl. “We said, ‘We’ll do something the Rose Bowl doesn’t do, we’ll have hospitality,’” Shover said. The group rolled out the red carpet for visiting teams, meeting them at their planes in their signature yellow jackets, taking them to their hotels and remaining at their beck and call. “We didn’t have a lot of money, but we had a lot of hospitality. No one had ever done that before.” The teams, fans and families loved it. Doctors, dentists and babysitters were on call for whatever the teams needed while guest cars transported them around town. “We even had arrangements to fly them over the Grand Canyon,” Shover said. “We had so many opportunities that other bowls didn’t have because we had Arizona.” FEB 2021
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Fiesta Bowl Charities recently celebrated the opening of Fiesta Bowl PLAY, a state-of-the-art play area at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix that features a massive sandbox, climbing wall, water feature and larger-than-life play creatures.
An Anchor in Arizona
Over the years, Shover continued to be one of Arizona’s biggest boosters. In 1987, he helped coordinate Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to the state. He was also a key player in making Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a holiday in Arizona. And he chaired the effort to bring Super Bowl XXX to Tempe. But of all his achievements, he is most proud of one he believes hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves. As part of his role on Phoenix’s American Bicentennial Commission, Shover led the campaign to bring one of the anchors from the battleship U.S.S. Arizona from Pearl Harbor to the Arizona State Capitol. “It was cast in 1911 in Pennsylvania and was on the U.S.S. Arizona, which was in World War I and of course went down on Dec. 7, 1941,” Shover said. Today, the 16,000-pound anchor along with one of the Arizona’s two masts are part of a vast memorial park for U.S. conflicts and wars in Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix. “We brought in the national director of the Bicentennial, and he marveled. We had more events in Phoenix than they had in Boston and Philadelphia. And the culminating event was the anchor,” Shover said.
5 Fast Facts About the Fiesta Bowl 1
ore than three million people M have attended the Fiesta Bowl.
2
The Fiesta Bowl has generated approximately $3 billion in economic impact for the state of Arizona over the last 13 years.
3
Through year-round events and community relations, Fiesta Bowl has donated $16.5 million to the Arizona community in the last nine years through charitable giving, including $4 million in the 20192020 season alone.
4
Sports Illustrated ranked Fiesta Bowl games as number 1 and 3 in “The Greatest Bowl Games in College Football History.”
5
The Fiesta Bowl trophy stands almost four feet high, weighs 200 pounds and has 28.6 karats of diamonds.
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The Ugly Seven
Shover retired from The Republic in 1998 and, at 92, still leads an active life. Following the death of his wife, Murny, he continued spending time with their longtime friend, Kay, whose husband had also passed away. “Our friendship grew into love and we got married. We’ve been married now for six years,” Kay said. Blessed with good health, Shover and Kay spend summers in Boise and enjoy time with their families, who get along well. When in Arizona, he also spends time with a group called the Ugly Seven. Hugh Downs was one of the first members and today the group boasts 10 Valley leaders. “We meet once a month, and we just tease each other, tell dumb stories and blab about our past,” Shover said. Only one woman has broken into the Ugly ranks: Kax Herberger, who called the men her Boy Scout troop. “We gave her a Boy Scout hat embroidered with Den Mother. And Kax would wear that hat wherever we went. We’ve met in truck stops, roadhouses, the nicest restaurants, the dumbest places,” Shover said, joking that no place would host the group twice.
Arizona Proud
Despite all of his accomplishments, when asked what one word describes him, Shover said, “Shy.” He credits his family, country and men like Gene Pullium for giving him a chance to play a defining role in our state. “I’m so proud of Arizona, because when I came here, it was still a little state. And it has emerged into a major, major player in the United States,” he said. And in this year, when the little football bowl he helped to create is celebrating its half-centennial, Shover counts himself fortunate for the job that gave him the opportunities he’s had. “The paper was the one behind it,” he said. “I was the luckiest man in the world.”
the fiesta bowl at 50
Here is a snapshot of some of the ways the Fiesta Bowl is commemorating the bowl’s 50th anniversary: :: T he dedication of Fiesta Bowl PLAY, a one-of-a-kind play area for millions to enjoy for years to come. The 20,000-square-foot PLAY is the centerpiece of the first phase of the Hance Park renovation and was made possible thanks to a $2 million legacy gift from the Fiesta Bowl and supporting partners, including BHHS Legacy Foundation, the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. :: A special anniversary logo used as the 50-yard marker on the field during the 50th playing of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2, 2021. The logo includes the bowl’s trademark sunburst and script, along with a large 50 and five “laces” on a football to signify the five decades the bowl has been played. :: A selection of curated lists highlighting the Top 50 Plays & Moments in the bowl’s history, the Top 50 Coaches & Players, and a five-part series of All-Decade Teams. :: A n event at Ziegler Fiesta Bowl Museum honoring 50-year season ticket members. :: A volunteer appreciation party at Sun Devil Stadium for volunteers from all 50 years. :: A Fiesta Bowl-branded license plate from the Arizona Department of Transportation. :: T he new Fiesta Bowl Football Focus Podcast series featuring interviews with notables such as Urban Meyer, Jared Zabransky, Mack Brown and 2003 Fiesta Bowl players from Ohio State and Miami. : : Special merchandise with Fiesta Bowl 50th anniversary branding.
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e on t es il M
FEB
IE R A S R E ANNIV
Frontdoors Media is proud to recognize the following nonprofits for reaching milestone anniversaries and continuing their important work throughout the Valley of the Sun.
60 YEARS
Assistance League of Phoenix
55 YEARS
S
20 21
100 YEARS
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75 YEARS
The Phoenix Symphony Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix
50 YEARS
95 YEARS
Valley of the Sun United Way
45 YEARS
Desert Foundation Auxiliary
Valle del Sol
UNITY – United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc.
30
35
40
New Life Center
TheaterWorks
ACCEL
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Duet Southwest Human Development
25 YEARS
Arizona School for the Arts Rosie’s House
20 YEARS
10
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Brighter Way Institute
Diana Gregory Outreach Services
Family Promise of Greater Phoenix
Native American Advancement Foundation
Therapeutic Harp Foundation
Sounds of Autism
U.S.VETS – Phoenix
In Studio + Virtual We're Back WE'RE EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU BACK TO THE SPARKLE BAR AS WE OPERATE AT LIMITED CAPACITY TO ENSURE EVERYONE'S SAFETY. BY APPOINTMENT, IN STUDIO, ON LOCATION AND VIRTUALLY. Visit thesparklebar.com for more information
NEXT DOORS {ahead of the curve}
PACKING FOR THE FUTURE Backpack Buddies project provides critical items for students in need Tom Evans | Contributing Editor
I
t’s a school year like no other. Believe me, I know, as a parent of a freshman and a fourth-grader. But we don’t need to go into all that. There are some things that never change, and the need for students to be properly equipped for school is one of them. It goes beyond just books and school supplies. To succeed, students need to feel good about themselves. They need to be properly dressed and have all the tools they need to learn. For lower-income families simply making ends meet, putting food on the table can be a struggle, much less ensuring that children have all their clothing and supplies. Fortunately, a program offered here in
the Valley and in the Tri-State area of Arizona, Nevada and California is helping meet this critical and often underappreciated need. Legacy Backpack Buddies is a project produced by Legacy Connection, which is an affiliate of BHHS Legacy Foundation. It’s put on here in the Valley in collaboration with Back to School Clothing Drive Association, Assistance League of Phoenix and Assistance League of East Valley Operation School Bell programs, local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, and corporate partners and community sponsors. Together, the program distributes more than 20,000 backpacks annually to elementary schoolchildren from
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low-income families in the two markets. Children are provided with shoes, clothing, back-to-school supplies, health and hygiene staples, and books. “All the children get two outfits, tennis shoes, belt, socks, underwear, a backpack full of hygiene items and school supplies and books that are age-specific,” said BHHS Legacy Foundation CEO Jerry Wissink. “Through Back to School Clothing Drive, the children also are able to select a handmade shirt, dress or accessory made by a group of volunteers at Stitches of Love.” The Assistance League of the East Valley does theirs in a bit different way. “They do shopping trips to various department stores and bag and deliver to schools. And we started annually doing Luke Air Force Base a couple of years ago, about 800 kids there,” Wissink said. BHHS Legacy Foundation and Legacy Connection are focused on improving the health and quality of life for the two markets they serve, and Legacy Backpack Buddies is a significant part of the organizations’ missions. The program takes on several different iterations depending on where the students are. As mentioned, some of the partners go about their work in different
ways. There’s even an online shopping component available to some of the students. In the Tri-State area, the program is slightly different. Because of the smaller population base, there are fewer partnerships involved, so the focus is more on direct donations. “This year, we did seven drive-thrus all over the Tri-State area,” said Nancy Mongeau, vice-president of program development in the Tri-State region for BHHS Legacy Foundation. “We service about 2,500 to 3,000 kids annually out of our hub. We have to deal with three states and different rules.” But the overall idea is the same — to give kids the tools they need to succeed. And the formula makes all the sense in the world. They’re simply buying in bulk, and by doing so and by working with partners, costs for each pack are dramatically reduced. Wissink said that each child gets a package that costs Legacy Backpack Buddies $100, but if you went to a store to buy the same items, it might cost $350. The program even cut a cost-effective deal with a shoe company to buy quality rubber-bottomed sneakers in bulk, in various colors and sizes, one of the most popular aspects of the effort.
“ The 20,000 children served a year basically touches the tip of the iceberg of the need out there, That’s why we try and partner with other groups to expand it and grow it each year.”
The Legacy Backpack Buddies project is making a powerful difference in the lives of Arizona children and families.
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CHECKING IN WITH...
KIESHA McFADDEN
REFI APPLICATIONS HIGHEST SINCE MARCH
“I tell people all the time that every kid deserves to go to school on their first day ready to learn,” Mongeau said. “And if they’re worried that they’re the only ones who don’t have a new uniform shirt, or they’re the only ones that don’t have all the supplies the teacher wants them to — it just makes them start behind the eight ball. I think every kid deserves the right to get to that first day of school and feel good about learning.” The program is funded by BHHS Legacy Foundation, which matches contributions raised through Arizona Charitable Tax Credit contributions that are donated to Legacy Connection. And there’s much more that can be done. Several thousand students are on a waiting list, and the program team is always looking for ways to expand and enhance its impact to serve more children in Title I schools. “The 20,000 children served a year basically touches the tip of the iceberg of the need out there,” Wissink said. “That’s why we try and partner with other groups to expand it and grow it each year.” Wissink said the need is profound for a program such as this and relayed stories of children who show up for school with missing soles on their shoes, or wearing a parent’s hand-me-downs that don’t fit right. “The schools help us pick the neediest of all the Title I kids,” he said. “There’s a huge need out there for this program.” However, Wissink and Mongeau said that it’s not just about the school year — it’s about positioning a child in a better place for future success. “In the beginning, if they start out right, a lot of times they end up right,” Mongeau said. “We have to help them.” To learn more, visit bhhslegacy.org/backpackbuddies and tristatebackpackbuddies.com. Tom Evans | CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Booming refinance activity in the first full week of 2021 caused mortgage applications to surge to their highest level since March 2020, despite most mortgage rates in the survey rising recently. The expectation of additional fiscal stimulus from the incoming administration, and the roll-out of vaccines improving the outlook, drove Treasury yields and rates higher. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed two basis points to 2.88 percent, but reversing the trend, the 15-year fixed rate ticked down to 2.39 percent — a record low. Even with the rise in mortgage rates, refinancing did not slow to begin the year, with the index hitting its highest level since last March. Both conventional and government refinance applications increased, with applications for government loans having their strongest week since June 2012. I know I may sound like a broken record, but if you haven’t already taken advantage of these historic low rates, you still have time.
ARIZONA LOVE
I’m happy to announce, l am Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels’ newest board member. Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels is a nonprofit, support and educational organization designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible, tax-exempt organization, founded in 2012 in celebration of Amanda Hope’s life. During her three-year fight with leukemia and nine-month battle with a brain tumor, Amanda Hope dreamed that one day she would design a fun clothing line for kids just like her that would provide comfort and dignity during chemo treatments. Amanda’s life ended all too soon, but her dream lives on through the Comfycozy’s for Chemo apparel and her legacy continues with our expansion of programs and services.
16930 E. Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 NMLS #1467650
KIESHA MCFADDEN | 480.252.9365 Kiesha@TolisMortgageUSA.com NMLS #198458
STYLE UNLOCKED {living fashionably}
SADDLED UP FOR SERVICE
COWGIRLS HISTORICAL FOUNDATION SHOWCASES BEAUTY FROM HEAD TO TOE
The Brady women from left to right: founder Julee Brady, Shanda Brady Riggs, Marjon Brady Brown, Kelsee Brady Bradshaw and Taryn Brady Hale
Julie Coleman I Contributing Writer
W
hen the nonprofit Cowgirls Historical Foundation was founded 20 years ago by Julee Brady, she combined her passion for horses, community involvement, patriotism and fashion. Brady’s mission of serving and uplifting others has guided the organization and only grown stronger over time. “We believe the past is a present for the future,” said Marjon Brady Brown, CHF member and Julee’s daughter. “Promoting and preserving our Western heritage and the equestrian way of life is our mission,” she said. The 20 women volunteers of CHF not only share an interest in preserving the Western lifestyle but have high
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integrity and appreciate the code of the West — respect and honoring family, heritage and patriotism. These core beliefs feed into a “sisterhood” that recognizes there is much to understand and learn from the past and the importance of applying those lessons to today. Becoming a Cowgirl is done through a rigorous, invitation-only process. All members are women of accomplishment, including public office holders, professionals in the aerospace engineering field, professional cowgirls, horse trainers, working mothers and every kind of equestrian. A program exists to mentor incoming Cowgirls by assigning them an experienced member who leads them in understanding
Cowgirls performing during the Tournament of Roses (top left), with the legendary Sandra Day O’Connor (above) and at a classroom educational event (left).
“
Our love for the CHF principles and how passionate we feel about instilling them in our children, other people’s children and in communities runs through our veins.
“
the organization’s values and mission and accompanies them to various events and activities throughout the year. Membership stands the test of time and knows no geographic boundaries as involvement in the organization ebbs and flows with the Cowgirls’ personal lives. Some members have been involved since CHF began, others have moved away or taken a break. Regardless, all are considered a part of the group. “Our love for the CHF principles and how passionate we feel about instilling them in our children, other people’s children and in communities runs through our veins,” said Kelsee Brady Bradshaw, CHF member and Julee’s daughter. “The quality of women
we get to be surrounded by makes it so much more meaningful in not only sharing the glad messages of our Western heritage but working together in striving to be great examples of honesty and integrity everywhere we go, whether or not someone is watching.” The Cowgirls have put many miles on their boots as they travel throughout Arizona and the country. Community involvement includes performing at rodeos and parades, participating in fashion shows and fundraisers, and even visiting elementary schools to provide educational programming on topics such as Arizona’s statehood and the Pony Express. Education doesn’t stop with kids — adults and kids alike are the focus of CHF’s “Kick ‘N Up Kindness” platform that highlights “good-deed detectives,” who participate and share acts of kindness with others to make the world a better place. The hundreds of volunteer activities the Cowgirls participate in annually represent a blend of longtime
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Cowgirls find many ways to serve, whether they are performing a rodeo drill (left) or appearing at charity events such as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson’s Foundation for Success fundraiser (below).
partnerships, such as the Returning Warriors Fund and Veteran’s Medical Leadership Council, as well as other organizations that speak to the CHF core beliefs. “Our performance drills at rodeos and parades are choreographed maneuvers on horseback to music,” said Brady Brown. “One thing that sets us apart from other drill teams is we try to leave the audience with a message or a theme that helps them think about something meaningful and is often derived from a basic message of faith, family and freedom.” An annual CHF calendar is created to raise money for the Returning Warriors Fund and serves as a talking piece showcasing the iconic imagery of the Cowgirls’ fabulous outfits, CHF activities and its members. The 2021 calendar is slightly different from previous years as it is a tribute to CHF founder Julee Brady, who lost her battle with cancer last year. “In years past, we’ve focused and celebrated the fashion aspect as that was something Julee was very passionate about,” said Brady Brown. “Fashion was something that spoke to her and brought joy to her life. Some of these incredible pieces of wearable art date back to the 1930s. Some have been worn by the famous country-western singer Judy Lynn, and the most famous of these vintage outfits was created by Nudie Cohn. Nudie made Elvis Presley’s gold lamé suit as well as clothes for all kinds of celebrities. His
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wearable art typically ends up in museums so when we’re honored enough to wear it, we love it because it’s a piece of walking history.” When performing on horseback, the Cowgirls don outfits created for particular drills to drive home the theme or message of that drill. The Cowgirls’ participation in fashion shows and high-profile events, like the Rose Parade, allows them to wear clothes from famous Western clothing designers from the Glitterati Age of Hollywood, such as Nathan Turk. “One unique thing about Cowgirls is they have their own wonderful sense of style and flair,” said Brady Brown. “Every one of our members has incredible style and one-of-a-kind specialty pieces in their own closets as well.” To learn more, go to cowgirlshistoricalfoundation.com.
HERE FOR THE FUTURE Humanitarian Indira Scott in Christopher John Rogers
2446 E CAMELBACK ROAD | 602.955.8000
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT {giving back}
A PAL WHEN FAMILIES NEED ONE Parents of Addicted Loved Ones offers the camaraderie and support that come from experience
By Karen Werner
CEO/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Kim Humphrey, a nationally recognized expert on drug abuse and its impact on families. Humphrey retired after nearly 32 years with the Phoenix Police Department, during which he served as a commander for almost 16 years. While he was still on the force, he learned that not one but both of his sons were addicted to heroin. For more than 10 years, his family went through a downward spiral of treatment, rescues and relapses. Fortunately, his wife Michelle discovered a local support group called PAL, which they began attending. Today, they credit PAL with strengthening their marriage and quite literally saving not only their lives but those of their sons, who are now sober, in recovery and leading successful careers.
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BOARD CHAIR:
Mary Peters, a consultant and the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, with experience in leadership, government and nonprofit service. She also is the parent of an addicted loved one and has walked the path of a PAL parent.
ORIGIN:
PAL was founded in 2006 by Mike Speakman, an Arizona-based licensed independent substance abuse counselor, to meet the growing need for families of adult addicts. He designed the original curriculum to help parents learn how to set healthy boundaries and deal with the issues common to substance abuse.
As addiction climbs across the U.S., the demand for PAL’s information and services has grown. The organization has been featured in national publications, including Money and Time magazines.
EMPLOYEE VIP:
PAL’s growth was meteoric, fueled only by word-of-mouth. PAL grew rapidly in the Phoenix area and, in 2012, Speakman got a call from Indiana, where future PAL board member Diane Buxton wanted to start a meeting. Speakman handed over the reins to a board of directors in 2015, which formed it as a nonprofit based in Arizona. In the first five years, it expanded to more than 160 meetings in 39 states. Thanks to a grant from BHHS Legacy Foundation, PAL was able to build a solid infrastructure and expand into the organization it is today.
VOLUNTEER WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE:
Volunteers are the lifeblood of PAL, facilitating weekly support groups all over the country. They attend online training and receive the materials needed to lead a meeting, from signage to handouts. Perhaps most vital is that all facilitators must be the parent of an addicted loved one themselves. PAL’s success is based on two critical components — evidence-based research and peer-to-peer support. PAL is not designed to replace professional counseling for parents, but it offers something unique in the sharing and support of other families going through the same issues.
KNOWN FOR:
While there are other programs that deal with addiction, PAL is unique in that it offers peer-to-peer support as well as an evidence-based curriculum that teaches parents how to set loving boundaries. Parents share their stories, encouragement and things that work — or don’t work — with their addicted loved one. There is comfort from knowing each family is not alone in their journey.
Jean Werner is a regional coordinator consultant, using her expertise to get the word out about PAL and open new groups across the country. But she was a volunteer long before becoming an employee. As a volunteer, Werner set up systems that PAL still uses today, and she and her husband Mike would use part of their vacation time to take their RV to visit facilitators all over the country. In addition, they facilitate a group as well.
CHALLENGES DURING COVID-19:
The pandemic’s most obvious impact on PAL is the sudden education that staff had to get out to PAL’s team of volunteer facilitators across the country — more than 300 — helping them shift face-to-face meetings to virtual gatherings. While in-person meetings are preferred, there have been benefits to online meetings such as making PAL more accessible. It also has proven an excellent way to introduce potential facilitators to what a PAL meeting is like. More significantly, the pandemic has worsened the addiction issue in the U.S. Recent statistics from the Drug Enforcement Administration show that fatal overdoses have nearly doubled since 2019. PAL anticipates the demand for PAL will continue to expand with the problems associated with the pandemic and is prepared for that inevitability. The organization expects to operate in all 50 states by the end of this year.
WAYS TO SUPPORT:
PAL wants to become a name everyone knows if they need help with addiction in the family. The organization would be happy to mail brochures and information to share at community centers, churches, treatment facilities or governmental offices. And because all services are free, PAL welcomes donations in order to continue providing hope to families. To learn more, go to palgroup.org.
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KITCHEN DOORS {let’s eat}
Photos courtesy of Honeymoon Sweets
PROUD MEMBER:
PROUD MEMBER OF:
PROUD MEMBER OF:
FOR YOUR VALENTINE: HONEYMOON SWEETS Honeymoon Sweets opened in 1996 and is celebrating 25 years of business in 2021. The popular Tempe bakery is owned by husband-and-wife bakers Tim and Joan O’Connor, who met at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. After working on the East Coast, they moved to Arizona, raised three children and have embraced the Tempe community. “We love living and owning a business in Tempe,” said Tim. “It’s a progressive town and a cool place to live with a mix of great people. We’ve created a nice community and friendships here over the years. It is important to us to support local business, and we work with local vendors whenever we can.”
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Honeymoon Sweets, which has 20 employees, is known for wedding cakes, as well as its popular petite sweets like fruit tarts and eclairs. Their baked goods can also be found at Whole Foods. “Customers like the variety and freshness, and appreciate the exceptional ingredients and quality,” Tim said. “We make everything from scratch, and people can taste the difference.” The O’Connors enjoy their work. “We love to contribute to celebrations at the best times in people’s lives as they build their families, from weddings and baptisms to birthdays, anniversaries and retirement,” said Tim. As hotels and holidays are a major part of Honeymoon Sweets’ business, it has been significantly impacted by the pandemic, but Tim is optimistic for the future. “We have had tough times, and it’s been a test for all of us, but we will be here and continue to be a part of this great community,” he said. For more information, visit honeymoonsweets.com.
“ WE MAKE EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH, AND PEOPLE CAN TASTE THE DIFFERENCE.”
FRONTDOORS MEDIA
“ WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DONATE OVER 5,000 MEALS TO FRONTLINE WORKERS AND THOSE IN NEED.”
CARING CHEF: TOMMY D’AMBROSIO Chef Tommy D’Ambrosio’s love of cooking began at a young age, inspired by his grandmother. After attending the Culinary Institute of America, he returned to his hometown of Phoenix to open Aioli Gourmet Burgers with two of his childhood friends. Aioli Gourmet Burgers started with a food truck in 2013, opened a restaurant in Phoenix in 2016, and a second location in 2020, as well as a location inside Fry’s Marketplace in Litchfield Park. The restaurant group also owns Modern Tortilla and Oak Wood-Fire Pizza food trucks.
A Food Network “Chopped” champion and winner of several local awards for his creative burgers, D’Ambrosio is dedicated to giving back to the community. “We’ve worked with many local organizations. A few close to my heart are Valley Youth Theatre, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center. As someone who grew up in Arizona, I benefited from having access to youth programs like Valley Youth Theatre. I learned a lot and gained the confidence I needed to become the person I am today. By supporting these programs, I know we are making a difference in the next generation,” D’Ambrosio said. Aioli Gourmet Burgers stepped up its community efforts during the pandemic. “We’ve been doing a lot of pivoting, strategizing and adapting our business to accommodate the needs of our customers and to support our community,” D’Ambrosio said. “We started offering home delivery of bulk meals that organically grew into a firstresponder meal kit program where customers could donate money to purchase meals for the brave men and women working the front lines. We had no idea it would be such a success. We have been able to donate over 5,000 meals to frontline workers and those in need. We’re so thankful to still be in business, to keep our employees working and to be able to make a difference.” To learn more, go to aioliburger.com. continued >>>
Photos courtesy of Aioli Gourmet Burgers
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Photo courtesy of Waste Not
WASTE NOT: A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
Photo by Modern Vision Media
NEW IN TOWN: CHARACTER Character opened in downtown Phoenix in November with distinctive fine dining, inventive cocktails and an impressive team behind the concept. The owners are Peter Kasperski, an established leader in the Arizona restaurant scene known for opening Cowboy Ciao and Kazimierz in Scottsdale, and Richie Moe, one of the city’s top mixologists. Chef Justin “Red” Hauska has worked at high-end Valley restaurants, including Binkley’s and Kai at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. “Chef Red creates quintessential modern American cuisine with various influences,” Kasperski said. “He respects the history of fine dining but likes to experiment with different techniques. He wants every plate to be simple yet spectacular with different flavors and textures, highlighting seasonal ingredients.” Character’s menu includes charred octopus with chorizo, venison with squash, lamb with smoky eggplant and an incredible croissant bread pudding from Country Velador of Super Chunk Sweets & Treats in Scottsdale, who formerly worked with Kasperski. Cocktail concoctions include Spot O’ Tea, Guvnor with gin, English Breakfast tea and lemon oil, and the Foam Fashioned with bourbon and orange curaçao. Kasperski is excited about the restaurant, which is in a 1920s house with a large patio. “It’s great to see downtown growing and be a part of that energy,” he said. There are big plans for Alias, the bar located behind the restaurant, with a menu featuring approachable molecular mixology and gastronomy. The restaurant has also hosted sommelier showdown wine-pairing dinners. With 40 years of restaurant experience, Kasperski is passionate about the business. “We are in the entertainment industry,” he said. “We are here to create memorable experiences for our guests.” For more information, visit characterphx.com.
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Waste Not’s mission “ WE’RE PROUD to reduce food waste TO BE A VALUED and deliver food to COMMUNITY those in need takes RESOURCE THAT several dedicated FOOD BUSINESSES volunteers and CAN RELY ON.” generous community partners, corporations and foundations. The organization was founded 30 years ago, and in 2020, Waste Not diverted more than 3 million meals from landfills and delivered them directly to people in need. “We’re proud to be a valued community resource that food businesses can rely on to reduce food waste and feed the one in six Arizonans who experience food insecurity,” said executive director Kate Thoene. Waste Not’s team of professional and volunteer drivers collects fresh food daily and delivers it to more than 65 Valley nonprofits that provide critical community services, including homeless shelters, transitional housing, senior facilities, preschools, after-school programs, rehabilitation centers and food pantries for distribution to the people who need it. Waste Not partners with more than 70 food businesses, including grocery stores, catering companies, event venues, resorts and restaurants, including Starbucks, QuikTrip, Sprinkles Cupcakes and many more. “Restaurants and other food businesses can play an important role in contributing to our community’s most basic needs and your neighbors need food now more than ever,” Thoene said. Learn more at wastenotaz.org.
Photo courtesy of Waste Not
Shoshana Leon | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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It’s Time to Celebrate Our Community Champions Society of Chairs gala returns for 2021 Andrea Tyler Evans | Publisher
M
ark your calendars — Wed., April 28, 2021, for the return of our signature event, Society of Chairs. Like so many other nonprofit events, this one was canceled in 2020, and we made the difficult decision to pass on a virtual version as well. Instead, our invitation to the community is to join us to celebrate the individuals who have made an incredible impact in the Valley from fall 2019 to now, and especially through COVID-19. How are we going to do this safely? We’re going with a hybrid model: a small gathering in person with our 2019-2021 Frontdoors Media honoree, Billie Jo Herberger, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (invitation only), where we will live-stream our program highlighting our 2021 honorees presented by incredible sponsors and annual partners as well as our new Community Champions. We will pre-tape any
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videos needed for the awards program masked and socially distanced. We will be delivering catering boxes to all ticket buyers so they can join us as we toast the incredible accomplishments made during the most difficult of times. Our new Community Champions program is for you, our beloved readers, to have the opportunity to nominate a philanthropist, volunteer, board chairman, event chair(s), foundation, company or nonprofit executive to be highlighted in this year’s program and in the May issue of Frontdoors Magazine. It will also be our honor to donate event proceeds to TGen via the official foundation of Frontdoors Media, The Sauce Foundation, in honor of our former editor and dear friend who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2017. Not only has TGen continued to make significant progress in both the treatment and early detection
Photos by Marion Rhoades Photography
of pancreatic cancer, their work on COVID-19 — from testing to tracking to advanced genomic studies — has also made them internationally recognized pandemic experts who regularly serve and advise international, national and local agencies. So, will you join us? Wed., April 28 at 6:30 p.m. I look forward to our delayed toast, whether you will be in person or online. We have so much good to celebrate.
Andrea P.S. For sponsorship information, the Community Champions nomination link and updates leading up to the event, go to frontdoorsmedia.com/societyofchairs.
Andrea Tyler Evans | PUBLISHER
Save the Date Society of Chairs 2021 The Celebration of Philanthropy in Our Community
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 | 6:30 pm Broadcast live from
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts with limited in-person seating
Awards Sponsorships and Community Champion Nominations Now Available Please contact Andrea Tyler Evans at publisher@FrontdoorsMedia.com for details.
Honoring
Billie Jo Herberger 2020-2021 Society of Chairs Award
Benefiting TGen via The Sauce Foundation
TOGETHER WE’VE HELPED ...
kittens & kiddos, veterans & veterinarians, ranches & rescues, corgi & cacti, single parents & seniors, future farmers & first responders, students & stargazers ... WHICH CAUSE WILL YOU SUPPORT ON APRIL 6? Arizona Gives Day is an annual day of online giving that’s raised $23 million for Arizona nonprofits since 2013. Find your cause and make an early donation today.
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