Events

Senior Expo; November 20, 2008

Please join the Banner Baywood Medical Center and Banner Heart Hospital at the Senior Expo on Nov. 20 from 8a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mesa Convention Center, 201 N. Center St. The Expo will offer seniors great health tips and free goodies from Banner Health. Please contact Jenna Davis at (480) 854-5091 with any questions.

2008 Hearts of Gold Casino Royale; November 22, 2008

Save the Family's 2008 Hearts of Gold Casino Royale will be held Saturday, November 22nd at the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort. The cocktail attire event, Chaired by Cheryl Pollack with Honorary Chairs Debbie and Len Gaby, will include hor d'oeuvres, dinner, casino gaming and much more. To become a sponsor alongside Pollack Real Estate Investments and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona or to make a reservation please call Valarie Schad at (480) 898-0228 ext. 206.

November's Mesa Fit City Challenge; November 22nd

November's Fit City event is designed to introduce you to activities you can do in your own neighborhood park! Come out to Mountain View Park (845 North Lindsey) from 9:30 AM to 11 AM and learn how to use the exercise courses there, participate in Stroller Strides, Yoga and more! Mesa's Fit City Challenge is a program developed by the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities Department to encourage Mesa residents to increase their level of physical activity and discover new ways to become for physically fit and healthy! The Fit City Challenge includes one event each month at various locations throughout Mesa. For more information on registration, or upcoming Fit City events, visit www.MesaFitCity.com.

Holiday Boutique; November 22, 2008

The Ahwatukee Recreation Center (ARC) Home Arts club is holding a Holiday Boutique sale on Saturday November 22nd at the ARC (5001 E Cheyenne Drive in Ahwatukee). The event is from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM and will offer holiday shoppers beautiful items such as stain glass, pottery, quilts, jewelry, beautiful wood items, porcelain dolls and needle point work. Santa will arrive at 11:00 AM and holiday music will help put everyone in the holiday spirit. Admission and parking are free and coffee and donuts are available in the morning and soup, chili, chips and brownies will be sold for lunch. Come join the fun. Contact Amy at the ARC 480 893-3683.

16th Annual Nonprofit Conference on Sustainability Strategies; Dec. 4th & 5th

The 16th Annual Nonprofit Conference on Sustainability Strategies, "Philanthropy & Fundraising in a Changing World: Voluntary Action for the Common Good," will take place Dec. 4-5, at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix. Scheduled workshop content includes effective board governance models, next generation philanthropy, fundraising best practices, e-philanthropy, and volunteerism. Don't miss scheduled speakers, Janice Gow Pettey, author of the book Cultivating Diversity in Fundraising and Heather McLeod Grant, author of the book Forces For Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits.

Time: Noon - 4 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday

Price: $198 through Nov. 21; $220 thereafter

Expected attendance: 300

Benefit: Professional development conference for those who lead, manage and support nonprofit organizations.

Where to go for more information: http://nonprofit.asu.edu; call 602-496-0500; e-mail nonprofit@asu.edu.

Prescott's Jingle Bell Run/Walk; December 6, 2008

All across the country the sound of jingling bells will be heard as people tie their shoelaces, don festive costumes, and join friends and neighbors in support of the Arthritis Foundation's mission to prevent, control, and cure arthritis and related diseases when the Jingle Bell Run/Walk continues its Prescott tradition December 6, 2008 at the Prescott Courthouse Plaza Square. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., followed by a costume contest. This year we have added a Reindeer Dash for children 3-12 which will begin at 9:45am. The 5K run/walk begins at 10:00 a.m. Everyone will receive jingle bell shoelaces, t-shirts, and will enjoy free food, entertainment, and prize drawings. In Arizona alone, 1.1 million people are doctor diagnosed by arthritis and related diseases, including 6,000 children. Special events like the Jingle Bell Run/Walk help us raise funds, create awareness, and will hopefully help us eliminate arthritis entirely one day. Some of the funds raised at this event go to support local activities such as Camp Cruz, a five day resident camp for children with juvenile arthritis (JA), held in the cool pines of Camp Wamatochick in Prescott Arizona. In the summer of 2008, 100 campers attended Camp Cruz with full scholarship. For more information, call the Arthritis Foundation at (602) 212-9900 or (800) 477-7679 or visit us at www.arthritis.org (keyword: Arizona).

23rd Annual Poinsettia Festival; December 5th - 7th; December 12th - 14th

The community is invited to share in the splendor of magnificent holiday displays of over 20,000 poinsettias in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes during the 23rd Annual Poinsettia festival taking place December 5th through 7th and December 12th through 14th at Garner's World (3401 East Baseline Road). Hours during both weekends are 10 AM to 5 PM and 5% of festival poinsettia sales benefit the Salvation Army Christmas dinner. There will also be Salvation Army bins out to collect toys and monetary donations. A unique part of this event is the self-guided greenhouse tour that shows you where the poinsettias have been lovingly grown. You can also learn about how to care for them in your home. Be sure to bring your cameras for all the amazing photo opportunities for your Christmas cards. Food is available for purchase. A true event, the Poinsettia Festival features spectacular Christmas displays at the base of beautiful South Mountain. The nursery farm atmosphere is a special treat for the family with free wagon rides pulled behind tractors. A family affair, this is the place for the young at heart of all ages. For more information, visit www.gardenpro.net.

Inaugural Valley "Out of the Darkness" Community Walk; December 6, 2008

Hosted by - The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Kiwanis Park, Tempe

Registration is FREE and begins at 8:00am, 5K Walk starts at 10am

Proceeds from this event will benefit local and National suicide prevention and awareness programs. We will have children's activities and live music. Form a team of family, friends, co-workers and club members. Register online at www.outofthedarkness.org

Christkindlemarkt; December 6

The entire community can celebrate cherished Germanic traditions at the Christkindlmarkt on Dec. 6 in downtown Mesa. This "Christmas market" will include German and European music, dance and theater. Also enjoy German and Austrian food such as bratwurst, schnitzel and Goulash Suppe. Artisans and vendors will offer wooden toys, Christmas ornaments, blown glass, holiday imports, holiday books and the like. This fun event for the whole family will be held from noon to 10 p.m. on the first block of North Macdonald Street (between Main Street and Pepper Place in the core of downtown Mesa). Admission will be free, and food and merchandise may be purchased. For more information, visit www.ChristkindlmarktAz.com or call Wolfgang Klien at (480) 502-8510.

4th Annual Drive the Dream Gala; January 10, 2009

Childhelp, whose mission is the prevention and treatment of child abuse, celebrates 50 years with its 4th Annual Drive the Dream Gala on Saturday January 10, 2009. This fundraiser at West World in Scottsdale is co-produced by Barrett-Jackson and features dining, dancing and a live auction. Visit the Drive the Dream website for more information and to reserve your table today.

P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona™ Marathon & ½ Marathon; January 18, 2009

Ever thought about getting in shape and training for a marathon? Now's the time! FOX 10 and My 45 are proud to sponsor the 6th annual P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and ½ Marathon - where flat courses, 70 live bands and 40 spirited cheer stations combine for 39.3 miles of music and fun! Run or walk, there are plenty of great programs to help you make it to the finish line! You can join an official charity training program, and free online training programs begin in August. If your company is interested in running as a team, you can rally your co-workers and register for the GET FIT Challenge. For more information on how you can get involved in this community event or to register, visit www.rnraz.com. To save $10 off registration for the Marathon or the ½ Marathon, enter the code FOXROCKS or MY45ROCKS. This code is valid through January 9, 2009.

10th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta; January 16 - 18, 2009

The 10th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta will take place with the 49th Birthday Regatta of the Arizona Yacht Club, held January 16-18, 2009 at Lake Pleasant in Peoria, Arizona. This giant race and party kicks off with a one-day regatta on Friday to practice some tacks and then dinner and a live jam session around the campfire on Friday night. Racing continues on Saturday and Sunday with 80 or more entrants, circled by a fleet of spectator boats. After a Saturday afternoon of racing, step into the party of the year: dinner, bustling bar, and live and silent auctions. The action continues Sunday with morning races, lunch, and awarding of the trophies. Sailors from out of state are able to get on the road that afternoon if they wish (helped on the trip home by the Monday holiday), or they can decide to stay around and enjoy the afternoon in the desert. The Desert Mountain States of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society benefits from live and silent auctions, as well as registration fees for the Birthday Regatta and fundraising by the crews. There will be exciting prizes for top fundraisers. Participants who raise $8,500 or more can also qualify for an all-expense-paid Fantasy Sail in Miami! To obtain a fundraising packet, a list of local and national prizes, or to donate an item for the Saturday evening auction, and/or learn more about Society programs, please contact Cameron Childs at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Phoenix at 602-567-7650 or email Cameron.Childs@lls.org. To learn more about the AYC Birthday Regatta, please contact Arno Marcuse at 480-749-1210. Information can also be found at our website www.leukemiacup.org/dm or the AYC website www.arizonayachtclub.org.

PetSmart Charities® inaugural PetWalk; January 25, 2009

Arizona's animal-welfare agencies, and the tens of thousands of pets they care for each year, will be the winners at PetSmart Charities® inaugural PetWalk, presented by Fox 10/My 45, Nestlé Purina and American Express. The event is Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, at Tempe Town Lake. Registration begins at 1 PM and the walk starts at 2:30 PM. It will feature a 5K and one-mile walk. Leashed and safely contained, friendly animals, and their guardians, are welcome to participate and raise funds to help homeless animals. Proceeds will benefit participating animal-welfare agencies from throughout Arizona. In our state, more than 100,000 homeless, unwanted, sick and injured animals enter shelters and rescue agencies every year and only about half find homes. Walkers can also participate on behalf of non-profit, Phoenix-based PetSmart Charities®, the largest funder of animal-welfare agencies in North America. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities® has funded more than $70 million in animal-welfare grants and programs; and, through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores in the United States and Canada, has helped more than 3.5 million homeless pets find new families. To learn more about PetSmart Charities®, visit www.petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.

5th Annual Walk 'n Roll Dog Walk and Silent Auction; January 31, 2009

The 5th Annual Walk 'n Roll Dog Walk and Silent Auction will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at Tempe Town Lake. We invite you to participate! Proceeds from this event will benefit Power Paws Assistance Dogs, Inc., a non-profit organization located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Power Paws provides highly skilled assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities. Please help us with our mission! If you have supported us in the past, we hope you will join us again in 2009. If you are a new supporter, we welcome you. For more information or to obtain a 2009 Walk Packet , please visit www.azpowerpaws.org.

53rd Annual VNSA Used Book Sale; February 14 & 15, 2009

On Saturday, February 14th and Sunday February 15th, the 53rd Annual VNSA Used Book Sale will take place at the Exhibit Building on the Arizona State Fairgrounds (1826 West McDowell Road). The VNSA Used Book Sale has grown to become the largest used book sale in the Southwest. VNSA is unique among Valley charities in that it is an all-volunteer organization with no paid employees. The 100+ members of VNSA work year round collecting donated books, sorting, pricing and boxing the books, and preparing all the details for the annual Book Sale. The 2008 VNSA Used Book Sale offered more than 600,000 books, attracted more than 20,000 shoppers and enabled VNSA to donate more than $340,000 to local nonprofit human service agencies. Since 1987, VNSA has contributed over $4,000,000 to local charities, and VNSA has returned more than $6,000,000 to the community since the first sale in 1957. Proceeds from the annual VNSA Book Sale benefit these Valley-wide agencies: Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County, and Toby House. Community support for the VNSA Book Sale is very strong. Thousands of individuals, groups, and businesses donate used books for our sale each year. VNSA accepts hard cover and paperback books in good condition, CD's, records, audiotapes, maps, posters, puzzles and other book-related items for the Sale. For more information, please visit www.vnsabooksale.org.

Tea for Teal; February 28, 2009

The Anne Rita Monahan Foundation, which strives to find a cure for ovarian cancer, is hosting its Tea for Teal fundraiser on February 28, 2009 at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix. The proceeds benefit research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) whose scientists are studying early-stage drug-resistance of ovarian cancer and are developing better treatments to address their findings. The Tea for Teal goal is to raise $100,000 for this important research. Visit the ARM Foundation website to learn more about this important cause and download the Save the Date card.

Starlight Children's Foundation Sparkling Starry Soirée; March 21, 2009

Starlight Children's Foundation Sparkling Starry Soirée takes place in a private residence at Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes (Silverleaf at DC Ranch - Scottsdale 11039 E. Saguaro Canyon Trail, Scottsdale, AZ 85255) on Saturday, March 21, 2009. The intimate evening starts at 6 PM and begins with a silent auction accompanied by cocktails, champagne and light dinner sponsored by California Pizza Kitchen. Fresh sounds by acclaimed Jazz musician Jay Soto fill the air and the music entices bystanders to make haste towards the dance floor. After a night filled with uplifting beats, a live auction concludes the evening. Tickets are available in advance for $125, or may be purchased at the door for $150. In addition to your ticket purchase, those donating $100 will receive a glass of champagne accompanied be an elegant velvet pouch containing either a cubic zirconium stone or a 1.5-carat diamond. Appraisers will be on hand to evaluate the winning stone. Proceeds will support Starlight Children's Foundation. For more information, please visit www.starlight.org/arizona or contact Jo Ann Yeo at (480) 280-5289 or email joann.yeo@starlight.org.

Please make sure your community service events are listed on the FOX 10 and My 45 community calendar! Your event will be listed on-line and possibly on-air. It is wonderful FREE exposure for your event. It is open to all Arizona non-profit organizations. Please write a brief paragraph with your event details, including date, time, prices, how many people you're expecting, who the event is benefiting and where to go for more information. Send to Heather Hanson at heather.hanson@foxtv.com at least one month before the event. Be sure to include your contact name and phone number. Your information will also be shared with our news department for possible news coverage. Thank you!