GLENDALE, Ariz. — For thousands of Arizona families, the holiday season this year is going to be a challenge after losing a loved one to the coronavirus.

But some in the Valley are already in the spirit of giving and are stepping up to bring some holiday cheer to those who need it most.

“He passed away on July 1st,” Sandra Barron said.

It’s been four months since Sandra Barron’s husband died from the coronavirus and four months since her three boys lost their father.

“After a week he passed away. No goodbye, no nothing. No time for nothing. So it was hard not only for me but for the kids that having dad all the time at home and not having him,” Sandra said.

His name was Armando.

He was 44 years old and his family cannot imagine celebrating the holidays without him.

“It’s been really hard,” Sandra said.

That’s why the Boys and Girls Club in Glendale and Cricket Wireless wanted to help.

Without telling Sandra, Cricket selected her family as one of the company’s “12 Days of Cricket” recipients after the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Boys & Girls Club nominated her.

Sandra showed up Friday afternoon to pick up her kids like usual. She was shocked when she turned the corner to find a room filled with gifts. All of it was for her family.

“I’m from Cricket Wireless and we’re surprising twelve different families across the country,” said Brandon Robinson, a senior marketing manager for Cricket Wireless.

Christmas came early for this deserving family. Sandra and her kids were gifted everything from toys and skateboards to a laptop and a check.

“It’s amazing for them it’s a little bit that will help them go through the process that they’ve been going through, with the psychologists, and everything is like okay I’m not going to worry about what is going on with my dad. It’s the holidays,” Sandra said.

While the holidays won’t be easy for Sandra’s family, this surprise brought their smiles back. It’s a sign of hope and a reminder of what this season is all about.

“All the emotions. Happiness, sadness, I’m grateful for all you have done for us,” Sandra said.

Cricket’s “12 Days of Cricket” kicked off on Nov. 13 and will continue through next week.

 

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This was originally published on 12News.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2018

Media Relations Contacts:

The ZAC Foundation – Joe Hunter, (435) 901-2254 jhunter@agenda-global.com 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix – Cassidy Campana, (602) 770-6014, ccampana@www.bgcaz.org

The ZAC Foundation Brings Water Safety Camp to Phoenix

National Water Safety Advocates Partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun YMCA to Host ZAC Camp for Parents and Kids

July 17, 2018, Phoenix, AZ — The ZAC Foundation will join with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix to host a four-day water safety camp July 23-26 for Phoenix area children and families.

Founded in 2008 by Karen and Brian Cohn, the ZAC Foundation joins with local organizations each year to sponsor ZAC Camps in cities all across the nation.

The award-winning ZAC Camp brings life-saving water safety skills to local five to nine-year-olds. Nearly 15,000 kids all across the country have participated in the camps in recent years. Combining ‘classroom’ instruction with swimming lessons and opportunities to learn important skills from First Responders, the camp provides children and parents with tools to enjoy the water safely while understanding avoidable risks.

Sponsored in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun YMCA, the ZAC Camp will take place July 23-26 at the Legacy Foundation Chris-Town YMCA, 5517 N. 17 Ave., Phoenix, AZ.

Community leaders, along with representatives from local police and fire departments, will participate alongside professional water safety instructors.

The Camp will kick off at 1 p.m. Monday, July 23, with an opening ceremony featuring local officials, as well as representatives of the Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA. It will continue through Thursday, July 26, with sessions each day from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The ZAC Foundation was established by Karen and Brian Cohn after the loss of their six-year-old son, Zachary Archer Cohn, who became trapped in a drain in their backyard swimming pool. The Foundation’s advocacy and education efforts have reached thousands of children and their families directly, with millions more reached through social media and news outlets.

In addition to in-pool lessons and safety classes with First Responders, campers will learn the fundamental tenets of water safety from a classroom curriculum based on The Polar Bear Who Couldn’t, Wouldn’t Swim, a children’s book co-authored by Zachary’s parents.

Announcing the Phoenix camp, ZAC Foundation co-founder Karen Cohn said, “Each year, it is tremendously gratifying to see our son Zachary’s legacy live on in the faces and laughter of kids across the country who participate in ZAC Camps.  We couldn’t offer this life-saving opportunity without our amazing partners, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and the YMCA, and we’re excited for what I am confident will be an amazing camp. Nothing is more important than the safety of our kids, and it brings us all great joy to provide kids and their parents with the tools to enjoy the water more safely.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children aged 1-4, and the second leading cause among those aged 5-14. Drowning risk is highest in minority populations, with drowning rates nearly three times that of Caucasian children. Many of these tragic deaths are preventable through proper water safety skills and measures.

 

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About The ZAC Foundation
The ZAC Foundation was established in 2008 by Karen and Brian Cohn after the loss of their 6-year-old son Zachary Archer Cohn in a pool drain entrapment in their backyard swimming pool.  Through education and advocacy, the Foundation has educated more than 10,000 children and their families on the importance of water safety and is dedicated to continue preparing more for a lifetime of water safety.  To learn more about The ZAC Foundation, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and TheZACFoundation.com.

 

About the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 27,000+ young people in grades K-12. At 12 clubs in Phoenix and the West Valley, BGCMP provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people in four key areas: Fun With a Purpose, Academic Success, Be Great, Do Good, and Healthy Choices.  The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix empowers young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible members of the community.

 

 

 

Media Contact:

Cassidy Campana

ccampana@www.bgcaz.org

602.770.6014

Wells Fargo Invests $100,000 in Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs to Support Youth Through Walkout

(PHOENIX) April 28, 2018 – Marcia Mintz, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix, today accepted a $100,000 check from Wells Fargo to support operations during Arizona’s school walkout.  Don Pearson, Wells Fargo’s Lead Regional President of the Desert Mountain Region, was joined by colleagues and Wells Fargo volunteers manning a community phone bank at Channel 12 /KPNX, to present the check to support the operations of Clubs around the state of Arizona through the teacher walkout.

Boys & Girls Clubs all over Arizona have opened to support thousands of families in 61 Club sites to help ensure that youth have a safe place to learn, play, and enjoy a healthy lunch and snack during the historic walkout.

“On behalf of our 15,500 team members statewide, Wells Fargo is pleased to present $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arizona to help the provide services and programming when our children need it the most,” said Pearson. “Every year, the 61 Boys & Girls Clubs around the state provide our kids with more than 1 million healthy, hot meals.  This check will enable the Clubs to stay open during these challenging times and serve thousands of meals and snacks to our children.”

“Wells Fargo has stepped up in a major way for the thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs families all over Arizona. They have set a new standard with their responsiveness in a dynamic situation that’s affecting all students.  We are grateful for their recognition of the immediate need and their generosity,” said Mintz.   Clubs throughout the Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs Alliance will receive a portion of the Wells Fargo gift to support the extended staffing and operations.

Wells Fargo have been a longtime supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs around the state, and this gift recognized the unique situation families faced with schools closed.  Families rely on schools for education and ensuring the safety of their kids and for many students, schools are where they enjoy a free, nutritious meal.  Boys & Girls Clubs are offering a fun, educational day-time program and meals throughout these days.  Clubs will resume regular after-school operations following the end of the walkout.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 27,000+ young people in grades K-12. At thirteen clubs in Phoenix and the West Valley, BGCMP provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people in four key areas: Fun With a Purpose; Academic Success; Be Great, Do Good; and Healthy Choices. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix empowers young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible members of the community.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,200 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 42 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune’s 2017 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.