Learning Express Toys Inc.: Learning Express Toys donated thousands of toys to Casa De Los Niños at the culmination of the franchise’s annual convention and vendor expo. The donation was facilitated by the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa where the convention and toy expo were held.
With more than 100 vendors in attendance, many set aside products to donate as they broke down their booths. The donations range from art kits and infant toys to sports equipment, benefitting the Tucson charity, a news release said.
Hughes Federal Credit Union: Hughes Federal Credit Union awarded seven high school seniors $2,000 scholarships to pursue higher education.
Now in its 19th year, the Roberta Reeves Memorial Scholarship has awarded more than $125,000 to high school-aged credit union members since 2005. The program recognizes academic excellence and encourages innovative thinking about personal finance and technology.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Kylee Carlson of Canyon del Oro High School
Brooke Chipman of Sabino High School
Siena Hazel Davoli-Boen of Catalina Foothills High School
Mikaela Flory of Cienega High School
Caitlin Hirabayshi of Empire High School
Nicole Kong of University High School
Anderson Peters of Catalina Foothills High School
AARP: Eight Arizona organizations are receiving 2024 Community Challenge grants from AARP.
Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older.
In Southern Arizona, projects funded include:
Living Streets Alliance (Tucson): This pilot program will allow community members to close local streets to vehicle traffic, creating a safe space for residents to gather outdoors. The small events, dubbed Cyclovita, are meant to be a miniature version of the community’s biannual Cyclovia open streets festival.
A cyclist pops a wheelie during Cyclovia Tucson along Sixth Avenue. Living Streets Alliance, a nonprofit, puts on the event to promote cycling and others forms of transportation.
Valley Assistance Services (Green Valley): This program will provide educational classes and home evaluations to older adults to help them safely age in place. Valley Assistance Services will also modify homes using AARP’s HomeFit guide and distribute safety items to participants.
Members of the Tucson community gathered their bikes for the annual Cyclovia Spring event. The cycling event, put on by the Living Street Alliance, closed off 3.5 miles of neighborhood streets for bicyclists Sunday April 16. Video by Riley Brown / For the Arizona Daily Star
