In addition to the core programs, Arizonans for Children has developed a variety of special programs, which ensures that special interests, leadership development, and recreational opportunities are addressed. Please check often for upcoming events and new programs.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Arizonans for Children takes foster children on excursions to many unique cultural activities and centers throughout Arizona. Using teams of volunteers and in-kind donations, we are able to provide foster children with a variety of experiences that will begin to broaden their view of the world and their place in it.
HAPPENING SOON: ENCHANTED ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK EVENT
For the last twelve years, the owners of Enchanted Island Amusement Park partnered with Arizonans for Children to hold a glorious event for foster children and their families. The entire amusement park was open to foster families and at least 25 additional donors contributed food, drinks, games, music, rock climbing, bounces and a zipline. In 2020, 4,068 foster children, foster parents and volunteers attended. Click on the Video below to see what transpired. This is an annual event.
Our next foster festival will be Saturday, February 25th, 2023. RSVP TODAY to attend this fabulous, free event. Please RSVP to Kaye McCarthy by Friday, February 17th. Email kayemccar@cox.net, including:
1) Number of Children
2) Number of Adults
3) Name of group home or first and last name of foster parent bring children
4) telephone number
5) Licensing agency for foster parents
When: Saturday, February 25th
10:00am-3:00pm (come and leave at any time)
Where: Enchanted Island Amusement Park
1202 W Encanto Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85007
“Kaye and all volunteers, My CASA child and foster family attended the Spring Fling today at Encanto Park and had a marvelous time! Thank you for all your hard work in planning and carrying out such a fun event for everyone. There was such a variety of things to do and everything was well spaced. Surprise, surprise, even the weather cooperated. Everyone I talked to said they were having a great day. Many people weren’t riding on the amusement park rides because they didn’t know they could until I told them and they were overjoyed. My little girl’s favorite was the jumping slide with the car on top. She could have done that all day. The food line went quickly and smoothly. All the food was delicious. You never ran out of drinks! It was just perfect! The volunteers were so patient and enthusiastic. Thank you for everything you do especially special days like today! I have to go take a nap now. ” Sincerely, Ann Riske CASA 3/20/2010.
TRAIN PARK PICNIC
During the month of January from 2004 – 2020 in conjunction with the Model Railroading Society, Arizonans for Children held picnics at the Adobe Model Train Park. In addition to being served a hot picnic lunch, the children played with the numerous model trains and were instructed about their operation by members of the model train society. Five trains that both adults and children can ride on operate continuously during the picnic. Each train holds 25 people and each ride lasted for 30 minutes. The trains travel into the desert through miniature cowboy towns, ranches and farms. As soon as the ride would end the children would get right back in line for the next train. This is an annual event.
Children’s Holiday Party
For the last eighteen years, Arizonans for Children has held a holiday party. In 2019, 574 people attended our event. We served a hot meal of turkey, mash potatoes and gravy, salad, vegetables and pastries. A DJ played music requested by the children during the party. The kids were dancing in the aisles. Santa and the Phoenix Cardinals Big Red made an appearance, and then the presents were distributed. Each child received 6 gifts. One child stated that it was the best day of his life.
“I want to thank you for such a great Christmas party. The kids are still talking about the Christmas party and can’t wait to open their gifts.” Savena Stewart, 12/09
“What an amazing holiday party , Saturday was….thank you ALL so much we had a great time….and you all did so much to make it wonderful…….We heard so many BIG KIDS saying WOW!!! as they were walking through the parking lot opening the wonderful gifts you put together for them the little ones are always excited … so thanks again for a wonderful time God Bless and Merry Christmas to you.” Cindy Moreno, 12/09
“Tears came to my eyes and heart as I read of all the wonderful support for the holiday party. Another amazing accomplishment by the Board of AFC. Merry Christmas!” Hugs, Jackie Flowers, 12/09
Community Event Tickets
Arizonans for Children contacts community event vendors and solicits and then distributes the tickets to children in foster care. The tickets are given to foster children in various group homes. These tickets were to: Suns games, Diamondback games, Phoenix Mercury, Baseball Spring Training games, Arizona Ballet, Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Polar Ice, Arizona Youth Theater, Shrine Circus, Phoenix Children’s Museum, Heard Museum, Desert Botanical Gardens, Rawhide Wild West Town, Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Zoo.
From January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2019 we distributed 53,769 tickets worth $854,683.
