I n s p i r e d R e t i r e m e n t L i v i n g Elevated senior living is yours at MorningStar at Arcadia, a community distinguished by style and heart. More than elegant hospitality and services for seniors, MorningStar wants to be a gathering place for the local neighborhood with free accommodations for civic groups. 3200 E. Glenrosa Avenue, Phoenix | MorningStarArcadia.com 480.508.8471 Lives Here I n s p i r e d R e t i r e m e n t L ives H ere Summer Move-in Specials Ask about 24 SEPTEMBER 2024 By Kristen Carli Studio 56, a vintage sports clothing and shoe shop at 56th Street and Thomas, hosted its first successful back-to-school drive and donated over 100 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to families in the Valley. This event marked a significant milestone for the owners, David and Katrina Alfaro, who have long been passionate about giving back to their community. “David and I have been wanting to do this for a very long time,” Katrina said. “We’ve always donated items to other drives and volunteered our time, but hosting our own event was a dream come true. This was a great opportunity for both of our businesses to come together to support families facing financial challenges and help get kids ready for a successful school year.” The Alfaro family, who own Arcadia Sports Central – a youth sports league – leveraged their relationships with schools and athletes to promote the event. Their efforts paid off, with a line of eager families forming outside Studio 56 well before the shop opened at 10 a.m. on the day of the event. Each donated backpack was carefully filled with a variety of supplies, including notebooks, crayons, colored pencils, rulers, scissors and more. Everything was fully funded by Studio 56. The event was not just about giving away backpacks; it was a festive occasion with a back-to-school sale on all clothing and shoes in the shop. “We decided pretty last minute to do this, so we bought everything from 2moda.com, Amazon and Staples,” Katrina said. “The atmosphere was amazing. The families were extremely grateful, and the kids enjoyed picking out backpacks. It was a great time.” Looking ahead, the Alfaro family plans to build on this year’s success. They participate in Thanksgiving food drives through the sports league and plan on getting ahead of the back-to-school giveaway for next year. “We hope to find sponsors to make the event even bigger and better, with the goal of doubling the number of backpacks we give away,” Katrina said. The Arcadia Sports Central/Studio 56 backpack drive not only provided essential supplies to local families but also fostered a sense of community and support. By expanding their efforts and involving sponsors, Katrina and David aim to continue their tradition of giving and ensure that even more children have the tools they need. For those inspired to join the cause, stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities to contribute. Learn more on Instagram @studio56_vintage. Arcadia-based clothing shop holds inaugural backpack drive Derek Dahlgren with David “Deuce” Alfaro, Katrina and David Alfaro. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KATRINA ALFARO

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