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Glendale's From the Heart Grant Reception,
 May 27, 2010 at the Glendale Adult Center

Article by Bette Sharpe -   Photos by Bette and Ed Sharpe

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 From the left: City of Glendale Councilmember, Yvonne Knaak, Vice Mayor Manny Martinez, Jerry Wissink, CEO BHHS Legacy Foundation.   Photo by Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Thursday was a feel good day for the City of Glendale and the surrounding communities, if only the need for services was not as great.  Mayor Scruggs gave seventeen local non-profit agencies grant monies totaling over $175,000.  The money is from the city's From the Heart Program.  This is the volunteer program that allows residents to add a dollar to their water bill.  The monies raised are matched fifty-cents to each dollar by the BHHS Legacy Foundation.  "Without a doubt, From the Heart truly demonstrates our citizen's generosity and compassion to improve the lives of others who live in our city," Mayor Scruggs explained.

From the left: City of Glendale Councilmember, Yvonne Knaak, Vice Mayor Manny Martinez, Melissa Jimro, Program Coordinator Association for Supportive Child Care, Jerry Wissink, CEO BHHS Legacy Foundation.
Photo by Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

"From the Heart donations in 2009 totaled $126,424, including special donations from the Mary Ann Palmer and Robert Lund memorial," reported Mayor Scruggs.  Adding the matching funds from the BHHS Legacy Foundation ($48,587) brings the total to be awarded today to $175,011.  These funds will be awarded to social service agencies aiding Glendale residents.

Since the program's beginning in 1997, "$1.26 million dollars has been raised by Glendale citizens and our corporate partners," Mayor Scruggs said.  This number does not include matching funds.

From the left: Ellise Hayden, Chief Operating Office Adelante Health Care, Councilmember Yvonne Knaak, Vice Mayor, Manny Martinez, and CEO BHHS Legacy Foundation, Jerry Wissink. Photo by Bette and Ed Sharpe  Glendale Daily Planet

Mayor Scruggs explains, "In 1997, the City of Glendale partnered with the McCormick Foundation, Arizona Republic Charities and Quality f Life Community Services--formerly known as the Glendale Human Services Council--to created our From the Heart program".

Once a year the From the Heart Funds are distributed through a grant application process.  The major criteria for receiving funding "...is that agencies must provide services to Glendale residents that promote the positive development of youth, strengthen families and assist our residents of all ages in addressing urgent needs," elaborated Mayor Scruggs.

Several of today's recipients said that their money was going directly to buy food.  Most, said that the need this year is greater than last year.  These are not easy times for charitable agencies due to the sluggish economy; however, St. Mary's Food Bank, for example, can stretch a $1.00 donation into seven meals. 

Monetary donations are accepted year round, for more information follow the link below.  Or if you prefer, send a check for a $1.00, or more if you can, to the address listed below.  All of the dollars, 100 %, go directly to providing essential human and social services to our most vulnerable residents--children, the elderly, and victims of abuse. 

http://www.glendaleaz.com/fromtheheart/index.cfm

You may bring or mail a check or money order made out to From the Heart in any dollar amount to City of Glendale, Customer Service Office, 5850 W. Glendale Arizona, 1st Floor, Glendale, AZ 85301.

 
Mayor Scurggs and Lucy Fricker, hold the From the Heart check for $9,000 that was awarded to the Brad Riner Assistance Office, which is located at the First United Methodist Church of Glendale, in downtown Glendale.
Photo by Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Ellise Hayden, Chief Operating Officer, Adelante Health Care, receives a check for $6,000 from BHHS Legacy Foundation CEO, Jerry Wissnik at the From the Heart reception.  Photo by Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Lucy Fricker, received a From the Heart check for $9,000 that was awarded to the Brad Riner 
Assistance Office, which is located at the First United Methodist Church of Glendale and  Karl Gentles, 
 Executive Director of Back To School Clothing Drive Association received a check for $10,000.
Photo by Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Linda Scott, Vice President of Child and Family Solutions Jewish Family & Children's Services, shakes hands with Jerry Wissink (CEO, BHHS Foundation) as she accepts a check for $8,250.     Photo by Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

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The 2010 From the Heart recipients and 
agency member accepting are listed below.

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 L to R -  Vice Mayor Manny Martinez, From the Heart Committee Member, Tom Eggleston,  Karl Gentles, Executive Director Back To School Clothing Drive and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV. Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet