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Arizona Gives Day 2021: A Truly Important Day For AZ

April 6th, 2021 marks the eighth annual Arizona Gives Day. Unlike many events that have been forced to shift to a virtual environment over the last year, Arizona Gives Day has been an online event since 2013. This collaboration between the Arizona Alliance of Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers organizations encourages citizens to raise awareness and donate to recognized nonprofit organizations. The day has been historically successful in bringing attention to many great missions. DollarDays’ Arizona headquarters are proud to highlight the great work being done in our own backyard. Here are some of the Arizona-based organizations that we work with that are currently asking for donations. Each one listed below has a Wishlist. Wishlist is a program at DollarDays that allows you to curate a list of your most needed items which you can then send out to generous individuals looking to donate to your organization. Help support these Arizona-based organizations during Arizona Gives Day!

  • Clothes Cabin
  • H.O.M.E. (Health Outreach through Medicine and Education)
  • HomeAid Phoenix
  • Homeless Youth Connection
  • Kappa Alpha Theta’s CASA Donation Needs
  • Phoenix Rescue Mission
  • St. Vincent de Paul of Phoenix
  • Treasures4Teachers
  • Valley of the Sun United Way
  • Project Veterans Pride
  • Harvest Compassion Center
  • Sojourner Center
  • The Green Valley Alano Club
    • The Need In Arizona

      Unfortunately, the reason there are so many great outreach programs is that the need is high.









      We encourage everyone, in all states, to see what is going on in your community and how you can help. We guarantee the charities in your area would love the support.

      If you want to receive more information that can help your organization save money then visit our homepage, create an account and sign up to receive our newsletter! If you already have an account but are not receiving our emails, then sign in, click on your name in the upper-right corner of any page on the site, go to Accounts, go to My Profile and then change your Email Preferences so you can start receiving them.

      Disaster Preparedness In the Age of COVID-19

      Even before COVID-19, this time of year was concerning for many due to the number of natural disasters that happen around this time. Whether it be hurricane season in the gulf or wild fires in the west, preparing and recovering from disasters requires help in many forms. Earlier this month the east coast was hit by Hurricane Isaias and California started experiencing wild fires again. It became a brutal reminder that you can’t approach disasters the same way we did before the Coronavirus.

      To be able to help people recover from these catastrophic events requires an extra level of preparedness and hygiene. While we have always been here to provide Disaster Recovery products, we now can also provide an entire line of Personal Protective Equipment.

      Unfortunately, many hoped that Covid-19 would be a short lived pandemic. But, most indicators show that we will be dealing with this for some time to come. As we move into another dangerous season of natural disasters, please keep in mind the importance of keeping yourself protected while you work hard to help those recover.

      Below is a list of some of the most needed items during this time of year. Between preparing and recovering, now is the time to stock up on these important items that continue to be hard to find at your standard big box stores.

      Beneficial Items Include:

      How you can help:

      Contact your local nonprofit: Find out what initiatives local nonprofits are taking to help those affected, and donate the products they need most.

      Contact your church: Often times, churches will work with other branches or sister churches during these times to collect and ship them the products they need.

      Top 5 Coronavirus Relief Organizations

      There are two sides to the relief effort for COVID-19: a vaccine and the day-to-day care and prevention. As research labs and government agencies across the world work to develop a viable vaccine, many nonprofit organizations have been pouring their resources into supporting individuals and local relief groups. Here is a list of some of the top nonprofit organizations doing their part to help those affected by this disease:

      1. Good360

      Good360 is an international charitable organization that specializes in product philanthropy by sourcing needed goods from reputable brands across the world and offering them to their nonprofit partners. So far, they have provided “more than $135 million in donated goods in response to the COVID-19 pandemic”. They currently have over 90,000 partners in their nonprofit network so their impact is far-reaching.
      Learn more and donate here.

      2. United Way Worldwide

      Founded in 1887, the United Way is a global nonprofit organization that has worked for decades to improve the livelihood of local communities. Their primary focus is to strengthen the “education, financial stability and health” of those they serve.
      You can donate today to the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund and learn more about how the United Way is stepping up to support many of the local services that are currently overwhelmed by the virus.

      3. Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders

      Médecins Sans Frontières (or Doctors Without Borders) is a medical NGO that provides medical resources to countries around the world. MSF was founded in 1971 with the belief “that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, or political affiliation”. Recently, MSF has turned their efforts towards providing support during this pandemic. They are currently “caring for patients, offering health education and mental health support, and providing training for vital infection control measures in health facilities around the world”. You can learn more and donate to MSF here.

      4. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

      The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases is a non-profit organization that provides education regarding “the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan”. This has become especially valuable during the pandemic as they continue to provide unique resources regarding prevention techniques and maintaining vaccine rates amid the pandemic. You can support their work here.

      5. Crisis Aid International

      Crisis Aid International is a nonprofit organization that specializes in helping those in Africa and the United States in crisis situations. To date, they “have provided more than 17.8 million pounds of food, served 2.6 million adults and malnourished children, and 1,378 sex trafficking victims helped, the youngest being 4 years of age”. In response to COVID-19, they have worked diligently to expand their food programs to assist local communities and service projects. As with all of these great organizations, they can always use extra support. You can donate to Crisis Aid International here.

      Additional COVID-19 Resources:

      https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
      https://www.nih.gov/coronavirus

      How to Make an Outreach Kit in 2021

      Let’s be honest, this past year is not what anyone expected. Many industries have been disrupted by COVID-19 as we all continue to adapt. One group that is near and dear to us, is nonprofits. Many nonprofits have had to either cancel their annual events or make drastic cutbacks to what they are able to provide. The good news is that we can all continue to support our communities as individuals or as part of an organization.

      Building the Ideal Kit

      One of the staples of community outreach is providing kits of essential items for those in need. During a normal year, kits could include school supplies for underprivileged students or personal hygiene products for the homeless. While those items are still incredibly valuable, a few key additions may be necessary.

      Homeless Care Kits

      When putting together a care kit for the homeless some common items to include are hygiene products, socks, snacks and a reusable water bottle. We have the privilege of working with many nonprofits and these are some of the most common items we help find for them for their projects.

      With COVID-19, it’s now important to consider what additional items are necessary to help protect the homeless population. Some great items to include are a pack of masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Not having the luxury of 24/7 shelter means we need to do all we can to protect them from the virus.

      School Supply Kits

      Another common project for nonprofits is backpack drives for underprivileged students. We’ve worked with both schools and nonprofits for years so we always have a selection of school supplies that work for classroom shopping and outreach projects. As we know, schools are in a difficult position trying to determine the best way to navigate the 2020-2021 school year. In turn, that means many nonprofits have needed to adjust their projects based on if their local schools are fully reopening or not. Regardless, we as individuals can also chip in to provide needed supplies for students at home and in the classroom.

      Along with classic school supplies, masks and PPE are essential for students returning to the classroom. Because of that, we’ve made sure to have kid-size masks available. For students at home, the needs change a bit. While they will need all the usual writing utensils and notebooks, it’s a good idea to include some puzzle books or educational toys as fun activities for the kids. Lastly, many students rely on school for some of their meals, so providing some snacks or ready-to-eat meals is extremely valuable.

      Once your kit is ready to go, all that’s left is to put it in a nice backpack whether it’ll be for this school year or the next.

      It’s important to remember, as these changes continue, that we are all in this together. There will always be opportunities for us to continue to help one another. Putting together a care kit for someone in need is a great way to start.

      Arizona Gives Day: Why It Matters

      What is Arizona Gives Day?

      April 7th, 2020 marks the seventh annual Arizona Gives Day. Arizona Gives Day is an online event started in 2013 through a collaboration between the Arizona Alliance of Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers. On the day, people are encouraged to donate to Arizona nonprofit organizations. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring attention to these great missions. DollarDays is headquartered in Arizona, so we felt it important to highlight the great work being done in our own backyard.

      The Need in Arizona

      Unfortunately, the reason there are so many great outreach programs is because the need is high.

      To illustrate the need in Arizona:

      These are just a few examples, but they show how much local communities need nonprofit outreach.

      What Now?

      It can be stressful to think about where to begin if you decide give back. That is why events like Arizona Gives Day are extremely valuable for shining a light on what is currently happening in the community and pointing you in the right direction.

      We are trying to do our part by providing a Wishlist platform for nonprofits to showcase their specific, needed items and enlist their supporters to donate in bulk. Nonprofits are not always able to rely on steady financial support. The ability to communicate exactly is needed and receive those items in wholesale quantities is invaluable.

      Explore current Arizona Wishlists:

      We encourage everyone, in any state, to see what is going on in your community and how you can help. We guarantee they would love the support.

      10 Homeless Care Package Ideas for Summer

      What to Give the Homeless in the Summer: 10 Homeless Outreach Ideas

      Any season is a good season to donate time and resources for the local homeless community. Many people and organizations focus their homeless outreach efforts during the fall and winter, as the colder weather makes needs more apparent. However, providing support is just as important in the summer — especially since this is the time of year when the homeless are most likely to be overlooked.
      If you’re making a summer care kit for the homeless in your area, DollarDays has some tips on what to include. The items below are some of the most needed and requested by homeless shelters and programs. Many of them are also excellent donations to soup kitchens, women’s shelters and church groups. Whether you’re donating to the local shelter, putting together a Good Samaritan blessing bag at Sunday school or organizing a private donation drive, these suggestions will make your homeless care package even more appreciated.

      Bottled Water & Beverages

      The need for clean water is ever-present in the homeless community. When the hot summer sun is beating down, that need is even more important. Including bottled water will help quench their thirst on the most grueling days. Other beverage and drink mixes such as instant milk, Gatorade packets and lemonade mixes can provide added nutrition or just add some flavor for the kids.

      Reusable Water Bottles

      Displaced people are constantly on the move, and they need to be able to bring their water. A reusable drink bottle allows them to bring beverages to more places and is also more durable than a store-bought plastic water bottle. Furthermore, whenever they have access to a water source such as a spigot or hose, a large water bottle allows them to fill up and have some water for later.

      Non-Perishable Snacks

      Owning easy-to-eat healthy food snacks is essential for those who don’t know when their next full meal might be. Some great options that have needed nutrients don’t require refrigeration include cereal, meat snacks (beef jerky, beef sticks, etc.), granola bars and nuts. Kids will love crackers, fruit snacks and other goodies. These snacks usually come in single-serving packets, which reduce the chances of them going back and make them easier for homeless shelters to pass out.

      Paper Plates & Utensils

      Everyone needs a clean surface to eat their food. The homeless usually don’t have a place to wash traditional glass or ceramic dishes — and these things have a higher risk of getting broken. Therefore, single-use tableware is much-needed. Paper plates, paper cups, plastic silverware, napkins and other disposable dinnerware makes it easier to serve meals.

      Skin Care Products

      The summer weather doesn’t just make people thirsty. It also can be brutal on the skin. Sunscreen will help prevent burns for those who don’t have access to shade. Meanwhile, some bug spray is great to prevent getting gobbled up by flies and mosquitoes. Those who already have burns and bites will appreciate aloe vera relief gels, calamine lotion and other treatments.

      Personal Hygiene Products

      If a down-and-out person is able to land a job interview, or if they’re a young kid attending school, looking presentable is a big deal. Products such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, bar soap, shaving supplies and deodorants help them take care of their personal appearance. You might even consider a complete men’s or women’s hygiene and dental kit with all the personal care basics. Travel-size hygiene products are excellent for those who may only have a small bag for carrying everything.

      Footwear

      The biggest thing some homeless people need is a good pair of shoes. Owning decent footwear will protect their feet from hot pavement, rain and debris such as rocks or broken glass. Something as simple as a pair of flip-flops or slip-on shoes can be a game-changer for someone who spends most of their time outside.

      Hats & Headwear

      A good hat serves two purposes in a Good Samaritan supply bag. For starters, it helps keep the hot sun out of their eyes and face. Hats also help keep hair organized for those who rarely, if ever, can afford to get it cut or styled. Practical options include baseball caps, sun hats, bucket hats, plastic visors and bandanas.

      Umbrellas & Rain Gear

      The humid weather of summer often leads to heavy rainstorms. Affordable rain gear for the homeless will help keep them dry and prevent their possessions from getting ruined. Umbrellas, rain ponchos and rubber rain boots are a godsend for many people. An umbrella can also protect them from the sun when it comes back out.

      Toys & Activities

      People of all ages can use a fun way to pass the time. Small kid’s toys such as stuffed animals, coloring books, cars, jump ropes, balls and modeling clays provide hours of fun. Educational toys continue children’s development so they don’t fall behind at school. Adults like activities, too, and they’ll enjoy a good deck of playing cards, puzzle book, dice set or chess board.
      DollarDays is proud to partner with nonprofits, schools and other organizations that strive to make a difference through summer homeless outreach. Give our team a call to learn how we can help make your homeless care package ideas a reality.

      Call our Team Today! (888) 969-6301.

      Speaker Series: Valley of the Sun United Way

      As we continue to bring in more and more nonprofit speakers, it has been wonderful to learn about these different missions and gain insights we may not have had before. Our latest speakers were Timna Guerchon and Chelsea Bowdren from the Valley of the Sun United Way.

      Valley of the Sun United Way was founded in 1925 and has been working diligently to bring together donors, businesses, faith-based communities and more to improve the lives of those less fortunate in Maricopa County. While Maricopa County is an area with tremendous wealth, it is also an area of severe poverty.

      Senior Engagement Manager, Timna Guerchon, explained that the core mission is to break the cycle of poverty and that means working in many different areas including education, food services, financial services, and more. Guerchon began her career in corporate America, but realized she wanted to work somewhere with a grander impact. That calling led her to United Way. Development Officer, Chelsea Bowdren, began in theater and that love for a sense of community drove her to work with nonprofits so she could help those in her own backyard.

      Guercon and Bowdren explained that many of the families they work with are families of 4, making around $450 a week. For us, that fact emphasized the urgency of this problem. They pointed out that it’s one thing to donate, but that it’s also important to “go and visit your money”. By actually participating in the various events, volunteers and donors are able to see the true impact of their generosity. Luckily, Valley of the Sun United Way is constantly working on events and programs that anyone can contribute to.

      One example was their recent “Stand Down” event for homeless veterans. Guercon explained that she is particularly proud of the growing number of veterans who attended that were homeless in the past, but are getting back on their feet. In terms of programs, there is an online tutoring program through Vello. Anyone is able to sign up and choose easy time slots to help a child learn to read. There are so many opportunities to do good with United Way and we are honored to be their partner.

      To learn more about Valley of the Sun United Way, please visit https://www.vsuw.org/.

      Introducing Our Nonprofit Catalog

      Our Mission Statement reads, “We are a team of like-minded individuals working together to serve nonprofits by sourcing critically needed goods that allow our partners to stretch their dollars, accomplish their missions and provide dignity to those in need.” It is because of that mission that we are very excited to announce our Nonprofit Catalog.

      We have put together a comprehensive selection of items and programs created to specifically serve nonprofits and their goals. Philanthropic projects can be a substantial undertaking. If we can make it even a little bit easier for our partners, we consider that a win.

      Explore our catalog below: