The members of Angel Charity for Children are, literally and figuratively, rockstar fundraisers: Over the past four decades they have granted more than $31 million to 137 nonprofits that support local children through social services, medical research and treatment, arts, education, and more.
The Angels hope to boost that by at least $1.3 million as they kick off their 42nd year of fundraising with the Second Annual “Rock the Fox,” featuring award-winning country music duo, Maddie Font and Taylor Kerr, followed by Walker Montgomery at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
“Rock the Fox was very successful last year, so we decided to bring it back for a second year. Country music appeals to younger generations and keeps long-term fans engaged. We are headlining the award-winning duo Maddie and Tae, along with Montgomery Walker, who has deep roots in country music. We think it will be a really exciting evening,” said said Kellie Terhune Neely, 2024 General Chair of Angel Charity.
She is thrilled to give Tucsonans an opportunity to enjoy the dynamic duo, who have produced three-time Platinum-certified hits such as “Die From a Broken Heart,” along with chart-toppers such as “Girl In a Country Song,” and Country Music Television award-winning “Woman You Got.”
Terhune Neely emphasized that they are more than just amazing musicians.
“Maddie and Tae are also known for their philanthropic efforts, which really appealed to us. Plus, they are en route to the popular Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, so this is a chance for local residents and fans to see them before the festival,” said Terhune Neely.
It’s also an opportunity for the public to kick in for the Angels’ chosen 2024 beneficiaries: Arizona Children’s Association; Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation; Junior League of Tucson; TMC Foundation; Tucson Community Tennis Program; Wheel Fun; and Children’s Museum Tucson.
As the 2024 Impact Grant Beneficiary, Children’s Museum Tucson is slated to receive a $1 million grant—the largest single grant to date pledged by Angel Charity. The funds will facilitate creation of The Angel Charity Center for Education at the museum, comprised of three kid-centric spaces and a welcome center at 130 S. Scott Ave.
The 13,000-square-foot renovation will breathe new life into the building that began as the Davis Medical Center in 1928. Located across the street from the Children’s Museum (which has become the steward of the historic Carnegie Library at 200 S. Sixth Ave.), the funds will provide dedicated parking along with spaces for field trips, curriculum-based after-school activities and camps, and special events. It will enable the museum, which currently serves 187,000 people annually, to expand access to students from Title I schools and serve an additional 40,000 children within the first year.
“Really this has developed out of need. It has been a long time coming, and now that the Angels have come in and worked miracles, we can move forward with construction and renovation. We are turning children away for field trips and are at capacity for so many programs, and the new space will allow us to triple our space for programs. It is a great opportunity to say ‘Yes!’ to so many more kids and families,” said Hilary Van Alsburg, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum Tucson.
She emphasized that the expansion will help the museum to fulfill its mission of providing hands-on, play-based interactive learning experiences for children and their families.
“The value of the Children’s Museum is that it is a gathering place for children and their families. It is a safe, nurturing space that is typically screen-free. Play is the universal language and in a community as diverse as ours, it is a place for kids to come together, learn social skills and feel a sense of community. They can learn that everyone is different and that makes our community fabulous,” said Van Alsburg.
Ultimately, Van Alsburg said that Angel Charity is the changing lives of children and families in the community through the work that they do with children’s nonprofits.
“The funds that they donate make so much possible for so many organizations. It is a game-changer: It is transformational for the community,” she said.
Angels seek to continue that transformation with the support from the public, according to Terhune Neely.
“Tucson is such a giving community, and there is such great need. We thank our wonderful donors, sponsors and all of the volunteers who help us raise critical funds and we look forward to the community’s continued support,” Terhune Neely said.
