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Nonprofits, Midas team up to help family
BY KRISTINE CANNON
Progress Staff Writer
Astruggling Scottsdale family received an unexpected surprise this summer: a fully renovated 2006 Land Rover LR3.
The vehicle was donated by 1-800 Charity Cars, which partnered with Midas and local nonprofit Family Promise. It was repaired and restored by Midas of Scottsdale.
“We were very, very happy and blessed to know that we were going to get a Land Rover,” said Heather Miller, who took possession of the vehicle alongside her husband, Ronnie Ybarra. “We have been trying to get one for five years.”
Miller and Ybarra have a 15-year-old daughter and two boys, 12 and 14.
Working minimum-wage jobs, the hard-working couple not only faced long commutes to work via public transportation – as long as three hours roundtrip ed for the Blue Angels’ 2021 air show season. Lt. Katlin Forster was named events coordinator for the air show’s 75th season.
The Blue Angels describes its mission as showcasing “the precision and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.” Currently a naval flight officer instructor assigned to the “Sabrehawks” of Training Squadron 86, Forster is a 2013 Desert Mountain High School graduate and a 2013 Arizona State University graduate with a degree in mathematics.
“I joined the Blue Angles to inspire others to join Naval aviation, pass on my love for carrier aviation and for the opportunity to join an outstanding team,” she said. Seven years ago, Forster joined the
In the front, Midas mechanics Enrique Milo, Dakota Olsen, Phillip Baker, Emmanuel Acosta, and Josh Snyder pose for a photo with Midas Scottsdale franchisee and owner Greg Milan, recipients of the Land Rover Ronnie Ybarra and Heather Miller and their three children, as well as Midas General Manager Lisa McFerran and Service Manager Andrew Guy.
(Courtesy of Midas) – but, as the coronavirus pandemic worsened, they became homeless and were taken in by Family Promise.
“It made us homeless but not hopeless,” Miller said.
“We stayed together as a family and looked out for each other and know we would make it through as a family – and that’s what we did,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter where you live or what you have as long as you have your family and you care and love each other you have everything you will ever need.” The family was living at Family Promise for 45 days when they received the good news: They would be given a vehicle on July 24.
“A car can be a lifeline to a family, allowing them to participate in their children’s lives instead of hours-long bus rides yielding little time for kids, their
Scottsdale native named to Blue Angels air show
BY PROGRESS NEWS STAFF
AScottsdale native has been select
“I joined the Blue Angles to inspire others to join Naval aviation, pass on my love for carrier aviation and for the opportunity to join an outstanding team.”
see MIDAS page 25
Navy to work alongside military aviation and is serving as an F/A-18F Super Hornet Weapons System Officer.
The squadron selected a C-130 demonstration pilot, a maintenance officer, an events coordinator and a flight surgeon to replace outgoing team members. Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year.
“This year offered an exemplary group of applicants from around the fleet, making our selection process very difficult,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. “With these fantastic new addi
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | AUGUST 2, 2020 MIDAS ���� page 24 what it does best: fix cars,” said Brian
BY KRISTINE CANNON
Progress Staff Writer sdale were surprised recently with grocery store gift cards presented by the Phoenix Holocaust Association.
Belmont Village Scottsdale employees were among nearly 300 caregivers in four senior residential communities who received $60 Albertson’s-Safeway gift cards.
“The outpouring of appreciation for our caregivers, as shown by the contributions made to this fund, is overwhelming,” said Brian Dell’Ergo, executive director of Belmont Village Scottsdale.
PHA raised $17,000 in a little more than one month for the caregivers. Funds were raised via GoFundMe campaign that raised $15,000 as well as a $5,000 grant from Albertson’s-Safeway and other donations.
“Our goal with this initiative is to go a step further than showing gratitude with something symbolic,” said PHA Vice President Janice Friebaum.
PHA pursued the initiative in response to the COVID-19 crisis’ disproportionate impact on senior facility residents and those who care for them.
Published reports say more than 40 perLePorin, vice president of marketing at cent of U.S. coronavirus deaths are linked to nursing homes and other facilities for older adults. At senior residential communities, Certified Nursing Assistants and other designated caregivers assist the elderly with bathing and bathroom functions, dressing, eating, mobility and taking medications. These caregivers make a national average hourly wage of $12, and they often biggest priority in life,” said Ted Taylor, Midas, in a prepared statement. executive director of Family Promise. Midas of Scottsdale owner and fran
“A reliable car also brings economic chisee Greg Milan said he had an extra strength back to the family, allowing vehicle at the shop, and rather than sell for better jobs and more flexibility with it, they donated it in hopes of finding employers,” Taylor added. someone “deserving and in need.” Connected through Family Promise, “The reason we gave the vehicle is beMiller and Ybarra’s family is one of many cause we have been blessed in life and across the country who’ve received a vefeel it is our duty to give back to those hicle through Midas and 1-800 Charity less fortunate,” Milan said. Cars’ Project Spark Initiative. Miller calls the Land Rover a “big
Launched in 2018, Project Spark is a blessing.” national initiative to help families, vet“It means a lot to us and is going to erans, and first responders get back on help us in so many ways,” she said. “We the road. can get better jobs and go see family
Their goal is to help more than 1,000 and be able to do more things as a fampeople. ily — and, most of all, spend more time
“By providing necessary repairs such together.” as a set of new tires, an inspection or an The kids love the car, too. oil change on donated vehicles, Project “The kids were happy, too, because Spark lets Midas help others by doing now they don’t have to be out in the heat at the bus stop anymore,” Miller said.
The good deeds didn’t stop the moment the family drove the Land Rover off the lot, either.
According to Miller, the Midas of Scottsdale team also offered to buy Ybarra new glasses because his were broken.
“Now, with all the blessings we have gotten, we just need to find a home or apartment that we can afford, and we will be back on our feet,” Miller said.
“We hope that more people see our story and know you just have to ask for the help. It does not mean that you’re no good; it just means you need some help, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” Miller added.
“Everyone needs help every once in a while, so thank you, so very much to everyone that has helped us. We are truly blessed.”
Information: midas.com/projectspark, familypromise.org.
(Special to the Progress) work multiple jobs at different communities just to make ends meet, in the end increasing their and their families’ exposure to COVID-19. “Given the wages caregivers earn, we are providing grocery store gift cards we hope will make a difference for people who are playing a critical role in keeping our loved ones safe,” Friebaum said.
The other three senior communities that
tions to the Blue Angels team for 2021, we are all well equipped to head into our historic 75th show season.” The Blue Angels finalists were picked after a video conference call in keeping with Defense Department and CDC social distancing guidelines.
“The safety of our community, team members, friends, and family is top priority as we follow DoD policy and CDC guidelines,” said Kesselring. “We deeply appreciate the support we have received during these unprecedented times and are excited to continue to showcase the precision and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.”
People can follow the Blue Angels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on the 2021 show season, F/A-18 super hornet transition and the new C
Scottsdale senior facility caregivers thanked
Caregivers at Belmont Village Scott
Caregivers at Belmont Village Scottsdale were grateful for the gift cards they recently received from the phoenix Holocaust Association.
130J acquisition. received gift cards are the Palazzo in Phoenix, Kivel Campus of Care in Phoenix, and Friendship Village Tempe.
Mark Aronauer, director of sales and marketing for the Palazzo, called their caregivers an “integral part of the team” and that they’re “humbled and grateful” for the donation. “We value their dedication and sacrifices perhaps now more than ever,” Aronauer said.
“Our team members are going above and beyond to keep residents healthy, safe and in good spirits during this challenging time. It’s impossible to put a value on how much we appreciate their efforts, but these gifts are certainly well deserved,” said Cole Marvin, executive director at Friendship Village Tempe.
Ira Shulman, president and CEO of Kivel Campus of Care, said PHA’s gift is a “wonderful sign of appreciation for the work that is being done and will put smiles on the faces of our caregivers.” PHA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor the memory and legacy of Holocaust survivors and victim, while also promoting awareness of the Holocaust and providing education of it and other genocides.
