6 MARCH 2019 By Anthony Wallace Emma Jazo started her first year of high school this year, but she has different priorities than one might expect from someone her age. This February, she ran her second annual Valentine’s Day Teddy Bear Drive for the patients at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The Teddy Bear Drive is just one of many volunteering initiatives in which Emma participated. This past summer – to scratch the itch to give back – she took a trip to Costa Rica with a program called Global Leadership Adventures. “You get to do some fun things like ziplining and horseback riding but you also get to work in the schools with the kids,” Emma said. Working with children is one constant among her many projects. Emma loves working with kids, which naturally led her to her current venture with Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She remembers how stuffed animals made her feel when she was younger and she hoped to deliver that same feeling to less fortunate children this past Valentine’s Day. “When I was little, I always loved stuffed animals… they made me super excited,” Emma said. “I hoped it would have the same impact on the kids, make them excited and a little bit happier because they’re in the hospital on Valentine’s Day and they don’t get to experience the things that the other kids do on that day.” Last year, following her first Teddy Bear Drive, Emma delivered 85 bears to the hospital. This year, she more than doubled her collection with a total of 197 stuffed animals. As a part of her efforts to expand the drive in its second iteration, she went door to door in her neighborhood passing out fliers and encouraging people to donate to the box situated outside of her home. In a matter of days, neighbors filled the bear collection basket to the brim. Jenni Rogers, who works as a child life specialist at PCH, said her team is continually looking for ways to help so that “kids can be kids” while they are hospitalized, especially during the holidays. “One way to do this is to provide them with a special stuffed animal and a valentine. Students like Emma are integral in helping us provide opportunities for normalcy and of course bring a smile to their day. We appreciate the tremendous support we receive from not only students like Emma, but also the greater community,” Rogers said. Emma and the friends and siblings she recruited to join her cause harnessed the power of social media to spread awareness of her Teddy Bear Drive. Additionally, she partnered with local restaurants and schools to increase the number of places that people could drop off stuffed animals. My Three Girls Bakery even offered a free muffin or cookie to customers who donated. Jenifer Steele, who works with La Grande Orange, helped out by offering 25 percent off of all stuffed animals sold in the shop as well as asking friends and family for donations, one of which was $150 that Steele used to buy stuffed animals that were donated. Thanks to Emma, dozens of children had their Valentine’s Day brightened by a teddy bear donated from a generous member of their community. “For the kids that are in the hospital on Valentine’s Day, it’s a nice thing to get a stuffed animal. It makes you feel better,” Emma said. This summer she would like to go on another volunteer trip, but if that doesn’t work out, she’s hoping to work locally with children in some capacity. Second annual Teddy Bear Drive a success Arcadia High School freshman Emma Jazo (right) delivered nearly 200 stuffed animals to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. PHOTO: EMMA JAZO RESORT TOWNHOME ACROSS FROM CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN 4846 N 65th Street, Scottsdale 85251 $945,000 | 2,524 sq. ft 2 Master Suites | Den | 2.5 Bath Resort Living at its Finest – Guard Gated Community This updated Phoenician East residence is the perfect location for golfers, foodies, spa aficionados, hikers, cyclists and walkers. • Vaulted Ceilings and Hardwood Floors • North Facing Patio on Golf Course with BBQ • Private Courtyard Entry & 2-Car Garage • Community Pool & Spa • Phoenician Resort & Spa Memberships available thru Resort • Land is owned (No Land Lease) • Virtual Tour: https://www.tourfactory.com/1927745 OPEN HOUSE EVERY SATURDAY 602-300-8332 / JanaVvida@aol.com www.JanaVida.com

7 MARCH 2019 By Anthony Wallace As it did for so many Americans, 9/11 inspired Carolyn Blashek to take action. Following the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, she began volunteering in the military lounge at LAX. One conversation she had with a soldier departing for duty disturbed her deeply. “I know I won’t make it back this time, but it really doesn’t matter because no one would even care,” he said. From that point on, Blashek made it her mission to make all service people – active duty soldiers, domestic first responders, and Veterans of earlier conflicts – feel appreciated and cared for. It was in the course of fulfilling this goal that she started Operation Gratitude. Since its inception, Operation Gratitude has assembled and shipped more than 2 million care packages filled with snacks, entertainment, and personal care items. Perhaps most importantly, the packages also include handwritten thank you notes from grateful citizens. Many recipients of the packages point to the cheerful, curious and gracious letters from children and students as their favorite part of the gift. “Inside had many things, but one of the best things is what is in my hand,” said one grateful recipient. “A thank you letter from a child. Nothing can beat that to me. Thank you for all the support you give us. This is not my first deployment, nor is it my first package from you, but each and every time I am touched and rejuvenated.” This past December, members of Veritas Prep’s Great Hearts, Great Hands Club supported Operation Gratitude by writing letters and making cards to be included in care packages. “Operation Gratitude is truly a wonderful organization. It allowed us students to understand the hardships that the troops undertake. This experience gave me the opportunity to show my appreciation for the troops,” student Mahek Sawhney said. “It was a great way for me and my peers to show how grateful and thankful we are to the heroes and all they do for us.” There were around 20 students who participated and the group sent off 28 cards. The club had made cards for soldiers three years ago, but this was the first time it had worked specifically with Operation Gratitude. “I enjoyed making cards for Operation Gratitude. For me, these cards have the potential to bring a smile to someone’s face. By making these cards, I have gained a greater appreciation for soldiers and first responders by reflecting on the daily sacrifices that they have made so that we can be safe,” said Grace Khan, president of the Great Hearts, Great Hands Club. The club is dedicated to “bringing the Veritas ideals of truth, goodness, and beauty closer to the Phoenix community through acts of volunteer service.” The members of the club participate in volunteer and charity works off campus and throughout the year. According to the student website, by using “great hearts and great minds” through outreach, Veritas hopes to bring its ideals into the Phoenix community. Veritas Prep lends hand to Operation Gratitude Operation Gratitude sends over 300,000 care packages to deployed soldiers each year. Veritas Prep’s Great Hearts, Great Hands Club helped out by writing letters and making cards. PHOTO: KARYN MERCADO Arcadia Camelback Mountain Neighborhood Association www.ACMNA.org SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 8:30am: Doors open, light breakfast 9:00am: Neighborhood Meeting begins 10:30am: Meeting wraps up 11:00am: (special event): Saturday, March 2 @ 8:45 a.m. Prince of Peace Church 3641 N 56th Street • Phoenix AZ 85018 MAYORAL CANDIDATE DEBATE Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela Phoenix Mayor Runoff Election: March 12, 2019 Don’t let your or your kids’ allergies keep you from living the lives you want to live! We have multiple options to help you identify and manage your allergies, whether they are causing sinus problems, itchy skin, or asthma and difficulty breathing. Allergies are also a common cause of fatigue, difficulty with focus and attention, and a variety of other symptoms. We also offer comprehensive food allergy testing and treatment options, a severe asthma clinic, and a severe eczema clinic. The doctors at Arcadia Allergy & Asthma are considered leaders in their field, trained at one of the top institutions in the world. We try to get to the bottom of what is causing your problems and tailor treatment options to your schedule and goals. Don’t suffer unnecessarily! Come see how we can help you feel your best! 4840 E Indian School Rd. #101 480-626-6600 | arcadiaallergy.com Dr. Neal Jain and Dr. Jennifer Hill It’s spring allergy season and Arcadia Allergy & Asthma has you covered!