Just in time for Mother’s Day, Tu Nidito Children and Family Services is offering an opportunity to honor motherhood in its many forms during The Remarkable Celebration “Gone Country” on Saturday.
“We always have this event the Saturday before Mother’s Day in celebration of not just mothers, but all the women in the community who are ‘mothers to others’ by being supportive and philanthropic to children in need in our community,” said Donna Crawford, event co-chairwoman with Amber Jacoby.
Crawford said the 2018 Remarkable Moms exemplify that philosophy perfectly, providing inspiration to the entire community.
The honorees are:
- Lani Baker, vice president of Holualoa Cos., who has coped with a life-changing health condition while raising children Aiden and Ze-Ahanna with her husband, Josh, and supporting the Lupus Foundation of Southern Arizona and other nonprofits;
- Jenine Dalrymple founded the Andra Heart Foundation in 2010 to provide cardiac education, screenings and support after losing her daughter, Andra, at age 12 due to an undiagnosed heart condition;
- Soozie Hazan, teacher and former business owner, who has defeated cancer twice and nursed her newborn son, David, back to health through a cerebral hemorrhage;
- Maya Luria, who co-founded the Bald Beauties Project to provide professional photo shoots for children diagnosed with cancer and support research into pediatric acute myeloid leukemia in honor of her daughter, Kelsey, who lost her battle to AML at age 18;
- Judy Wood, Contact One Call Center CEO, who survived breast cancer and serves on the board of numerous Southern Arizona nonprofits.
Baker said she was humbled to be included in the ranks of Remarkable Moms and is gratified to support Tu Nidito, which provides comfort, hope and support to children and families whose lives have been impacted by the diagnosis of a serious illness or the death of a loved one. The nonprofit offers emotional, social and educational support delivered through support groups, one-on-one support, camps and grief intervention.
“Tu Nidito has helped so many people going through the toughest times of their lives, and their message has always rung true to me,” said Baker.
Baker is particularly understanding after the emotional and physical challenges she experienced following the premature birth of her son, Aiden. She found herself suddenly struggling with a serious health condition that was later diagnosed as Lupus.
“That was a pretty emotional time in my life. I was supposed to be excited and happy and bringing a new baby home, and suddenly for the first time, I figured out harshly at age 25 that I was not really in control. Things took a different turn and I had to adjust and make the best of it. If you are struggling with grief or serious illness, sometimes the people around you haven’t dealt with that and they can only give you so much advice. At Tu Nidito, they have been there and seen that and they can help guide you through it,” Baker said.
Crawford emphasized that Tu Nidito is the only organization of its kind in Southern Arizona and that the need for its services continues to expand. In addition to education and support groups, the agency added an element of grief education and support for educators, social workers, day-care providers and other professionals to help bereaved children.
The grief education is provided primarily through local schools throughout Southern Arizona and other organizations that serve youth. Last year it served more than 800 children and their families in the community.
“There is not one person who isn’t touched by grief. For a long time, grief was taboo and people didn’t really talk about it or acknowledge it; lots of people suffered in silence. The most vulnerable in the community are the children and lots of times they don’t want to talk about their sadness, especially if they have a parent who is sad. So they hold it in and then it comes out in other behaviors. Tu Nidito provides a very safe place they can come and talk about their grief and embrace it and heal from it,” Crawford said.
Crawford is confident the community will rally to support the organization during its upcoming signature fundraiser, which she said will offer a “Grand Ole Opry” theme with a vintage country feel that is “near and dear to her heart.”
The event seeks to raise at least $314,000, which comprises a third of Tu Nidito’s annual operating budget. The remainder of operating costs for the community-supported agency come from the support of businesses, individuals, private and family foundations and other fundraising efforts.
“Tu Nidito has grown into so much more over the past few years and it must endure. It is such a valuable gem in our community,” Crawford said.
