Spread the Love of Giving!
Did you know that the state of Arizona has over 15,000 registered 501(c)3 charitable organizations? All of these organizations have committed to providing vital services in many forms to our communities. So, why is volunteering important? Volunteers provide economic support to those in need through their donated time. At Bookmans, community engagement is an important part of who we are at the core. We’ve created this list of organization we support in Phoenix. Here are a few suggestions if you are looking for a place to spend your time.
Trees Matter is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) environmental education nonprofit, whose mission is to inspire and promote an increased tree canopy in the Valley. “Trees offer many critical functions such as shade, pollution reduction, dust reduction, food, increased property value, carbon sequestration, increase in mental and physical health, and more. The Valley has an immediate need for an increased tree canopy; Trees Matter works to alleviate this need by educating the public on tree knowledge, and distributing desert-adapted shade trees to residents across the Valley.”
Read Better Be Better (RBBB) is the only nonprofit organization in Arizona that engages youth leaders to help solve the state’s literacy crisis. RBBB inspires and equips middle schoolers to solve Arizona’s literacy crisis. The program uses trained 8th graders to lead 3rd graders through a curriculum that empowers both students. 3rd graders gain the literacy skills needed to achieve academic and life-long success, and 8th graders engage in service-learning. This is proven to increase graduation rates, prepare students for success in college, and also increase a student’s sense of civic responsibility.
The Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (AAWL & SPCA) is the largest no-kill shelter in Arizona. Furthermore, it’s the oldest too. A “no-kill” shelter is an animal shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable animals even when the shelter is full. It reserves euthanasia for terminally ill animals or those considered dangerous to public safety. The AAWL rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes more than 4,000 dogs and cats that are abandoned or that have been surrendered by their owners.
Gabriel’s Angels is the only program in Arizona that inspires confidence, compassion and best behaviors in at-risk children through pet therapy. Gabriel’s Angels began in 2000 out of a pressing need in the community to intervene in the lives of at-risk children. Their short-term goal is to instill in children an overall emotional sense of well-being, safety, and happiness. In fact, their long-term aspiration is to help children learn critical core social skills necessary for a brighter, productive future.
19North is the name of the community that resides between Montebello and Dunlap, 15th Ave to 23rd Ave. Through a collaboration with the neighboring businesses, schools, non-profits, local government, and law enforcement it strives to become the support system that we need at Bookmans Phoenix. Right now they are furiously working to open the Community Garden and need your help! Additionally, Bookmans Phoenix is collecting donations of books for all ages. These books will support the Little Free Library being built for the garden.
There are truly some amazing organizations to support all over the valley. It would impossible to list them all here, but HandsOn Greater Phoenix is an incredible resource just full of information. They partner with a wide range of community service organizations as well as government agencies. Together they tackle issues like homelessness, hunger, education, animal welfare, environmental challenges, and so much more.