The turkeys are not yet stuffed, but supporters of holiday toy drives for children hope Tucsonans will add a toy or gift card to holiday shopping lists.
“While people are thinking about spending Thanksgiving with family and friends, maybe they can think about giving to a cause for people in need. When they are together for the holidays, it is actually a good time to plan ahead about making a charity part of their holiday giving,” said Monica Durand, development and community relations manager for Aviva Children’s Services, which provides services for child victims of abuse, neglect and poverty who are in the care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Gifts for 3,700 kids
Last year, the Aviva’s holiday program provided gifts for 3,700 children in the care of DCS as well as children in need from the Pascua-Yaqui Tribe and Tohono O’odham Nation. This year the program seeks to serve as many as 4,000 children.
Durand said the holiday program primarily serves children who are in home, relative or kinship placement or other non-licensed placement. In many of these situations, the children may remain in their homes, but the family requires monitoring by DCS and often needs resources and support.
“This can occur when DCS feels the child’s safety is not in jeopardy but there are other concerns that need to be addressed to achieve a healthy family life, or when the child has been returned to the physical custody of parents because they have addressed all safety concerns but DCS wants to continue to monitor and assist the family prior to closing the case,” Durand said.
More than 25 businesses, organizations and partners come together to conduct toy drives and other events — including the Kruzin’ for Kids Holiday Parade on Dec. 12 — to support the children in the program, according to Aviva holiday project coordinator Yvette Hart.
“I have CEO’s, doctors and nurses, construction workers, veterans, engineers and every day roughnecks and they all come together, Hart said. “There is nothing the community here in Pima County won’t do for kids and I know that firsthand. I think they know we have to invest in our youth today because they are the future.”
Tax credit, too
When investing in the future, Hart and Durand want to remind Tucsonans that a cash donation to Aviva made by Dec. 31 can enable donors to take advantage of the Arizona Foster Care Charitable Tax Credit, which allows a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of $400 for singles and $800 for married couples filing jointly on 2015 Arizona income taxes.
“This tax credit has been an important source of income for our programs that are not funded by the state. It funds basic necessities such as shoes, hygiene items, socks and underwear, our Parent Peer Support Program, Life Books Program, and our Bags for Kids program so kids don’t have to transport their belongings in trash bags. Everything goes directly to support children and families in the process of being reunified,” Durand said.
Finally, Durand wants to encourage Tucsonans to think out-of-the-box for holiday giving; she said some donors find that innovative ideas can yield surprising results.
For example, in lieu of birthday donations, one donor requested her friends and family send her new shoes to donate to Aviva.
“She received 63 pairs of shoes from friends and family around the country and that was how she celebrated her birthday. She made a difference to 63 children,” Durand said.
What’s in store
Gifting opportunities are also available through the Youth On Their Own Resale Home Store, a new endeavor that offers “upscale retail resale” for the kitchen, bed, bath and home. Located at 1642 N. Alvernon Way and open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the store is operated by student interns, volunteers and staff. All proceeds benefit Youth on Their Own programs for homeless and near-homeless students.
YOTO Development Associate Kristin Ohman said that merchandise changes daily, making the store a must-see for those shopping for trendy boutique items on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season.
“There is a little bit of something for everyone, depending who is on your shopping list,” said Ohman.
“We have unique and different items and if you are looking to either change your decor or freshen thing up we have holiday items as well and they are very reasonably priced.” Ohman.
