EDITOR’S NOTE {on the job}
TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD Between radio, TV, our computers and phones, it seems like we’re consuming more news than ever these days — and a lot of it isn’t good. But in our community (and in every community) real people are making real impacts, solving problems, providing help, and reaching out and connecting to one another. Here at Frontdoors we think these positive stories are an essential part of a balanced media diet. Not only do they inform us, they make us feel better about where we live. So this issue salutes community champions who are using their time and talents to strengthen Arizona. Take Debbie Gaby, who graces our cover. A serial benefactor who has helped thousands of causes over the years, Gaby is stepping back into the spotlight to hold her Celebrity Catwalk this month after mourning her husband’s death over the last year. She opened up about her love of friends, fashion and philanthropy and how each helped her make the journey back to assisting nonprofits in need. Kimber Lanning’s name is practically synonymous with community impact. As the founder of Local First Arizona and the Local First Arizona Foundation, Lanning is a fierce advocate for locally owned businesses and an expert on economic and community development. I sat down with her to talk about the ways cultural diversity and inclusion, economic resilience and responsible growth can transform our state for the better.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we spotlight Elizabeth Ayers-Cluff, a local breast cancer survivor who created a foundation focused on supporting others fighting the disease. We also talked to Ashley DeGooyer, the executive director of the American Cancer Society’s Southwest region, about how the Society supports those fighting cancer — and how we can support them as well. This month’s Charity Spotlight looks at Family Promise of Greater Phoenix and its work championing homeless families. The organization is the only homeless family shelter in Scottsdale — and the only local shelter that accepts pets — working to keep families intact, and getting them back on the road to self-sufficiency. And that’s just a fraction of what the issue offers. By telling the stories of the people and organizations working on behalf of us all, our hope is that Frontdoors keeps its readers informed, engaged and optimistic — and more likely to do something good on their own.
Karen Werner EDITOR
@kwerner409
