38 SEPTEMBER 2023 SUMMER BREAK WHO? Scan here to browse our featured listings. With nearly $12 MILLION SOLD over summer break, who says Summer SlowDown? If you are currently working with an agent, please disregard. NATHAN ANDERSON + PAUL NICOLETTI 480.888.5800 | NATEANDPAUL.COM YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! SCAN HERE or Call 602.730.0668 Today ROC #314154 4244 E CATALINA DRIVE ARCADIA | CLOSED 5141 E EARLL DRIVE ARCADIA | CLOSED 5151 E EARLL DRIVE ARCADIA | CLOSED 3538 E GLENROSA AVENUE ARCADIA | CLOSED THE REBUILD THE BLOCK DIFFERENCE When you build a home with Rebuild The Block, our goal is to make your life easy. You already have a full-time job and don’t need another one. Building is what we do - let us provide our decades of experience to your home. • Guided design-build process by our team • Our team handles heavy lifting, allowing you to relax and anticipate your ideal home • Early collaboration with contractor and design team for project success • Our team acts as your advocate, offering high-value budget recommendations and builder’s insights Students step up for others with Good Soles Sophia Goossen, Amanda Goossen, LilyGrace Anderson, Craig Goossen, Colin Goossen, Atasha Hill (from Child Crisis AZ) and Nolan Butkiewicz. PHOTO COURTESY OF AMANDA GOOSSEN By Angela Nachampassak One of the best parts of a new school year is heading back to campus with a new backpack and fresh supplies. Sometimes, shoes are on that list, too – and thanks to St. Thomas educator Amanda Goossen and her family, hundreds of children returned to school wearing new kicks. For the past seven years, the Goossen family has led The Good Soles Drive to help collect shoes for Child Crisis Arizona. Goossen, who is a mother of two, wanted her children to learn the value of giving back to others and got them involved with Child Crisis Arizona, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide children and youth in Arizona “a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, that helps create strong and successful families.” While visiting the warehouse, Goossen noticed that people had donated backpacks and other essential school supplies but minimal pairs of shoes. She recalled her grandfather’s words: “Everyone deserves a good pair of shoes.” These words inspired her to create the Good Soles organization. In the first year, the family started by asking friends and family to donate new shoes. They partnered with Rita’s Italian Ice, a popular after- school spot for students and families in Arcadia. Rita’s offered a free Italian ice treat to those who donated. And so, the campaign drive was born. This year, Good Soles collected over 900 pairs for students. This is also the second year Good Soles has incorporated volunteers from St. Thomas’s seventh and eighth grades. Good Soles selected seven students to create a fundraising competition that would double as a lesson in economics. “Each student ran a campaign on their own,” Goossen said. “Some students had concession stands, lemonade stands, babysitting hours, and various other jobs. These seven students ended up collecting 500 pairs of shoes. It was fantastic to see Good Soles spread to families outside of my own.” In August, Goossen received incredible news. The IRS declared Good Soles a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that donations are now tax deductible. Good Soles will collect funds all year, starting in September, to buy even more kicks for kids. Good Soles plans to provide shoes to children across Arizona and hopes to expand their support nationwide. “My children were 10 and 11 years old when we first started Good Soles, and now they are 16 and 18,” Goossen said. “It’s wonderful to see other students wanting to get involved with Good Soles and eager to give to others not only during the back-to-school season but year round.” childcrisisaz.org