The Russ Lyon Foundation Prescott v-corps collected supplies to benefit Yavapai CASA for Kids. Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation works to enrich the lives of current and former foster youth and support the CASA program.
Jackie Smith and David Smith delivered the items and were met by Barbara Moss, Director of Programming and Development and Laura Elam, Operations Manager who also provided them a tour of the facility.
The Russ Lyon Foundation is there when neighbors and the community need help and this past week the charitable arm of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty turned out again to lend a helping hand.
When the Northern Arizona Association of Realtors® forwarded the call for assistance due to the recent flooding in Flagstaff, the Russ Lyon Foundation heeded the call. The Board of Directors immediately arranged for a $5000 donation to the Arizona Community Fund of Flagstaff. The money raised is assisting in the recovery efforts of those in the affected communities. The Russ Lyon Foundation was among the first to step up and with their contribution the Flagstaff Flash Flood Disaster Relief Fund took off with $15,000 at the start of the donation drive.
“The power of our network is so strong and our agents are generous in times of need. When disaster strikes it’s an amazing feeling and sight to see our family of agents reach out from all over Arizona to help our community partners in need,” said Betsy Dickinson, of the Russ Lyon Foundation.
The funds will be used to address post-recovery, repair, and community rebuilding efforts. The repair and rebuilding needs may include environmental and infrastructure projects, community clean-up, support for displaced families, animal care, and/or rehabilitation and rebuilding of damaged buildings or homes resulting from the flash floods throughout the Flagstaff area.
One of those people who is committed to helping residents and the community is Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Flagstaff Sales Manager Bret Lamberson. During the flooding, Lamberson, a long-time Flagstaff resident took morning shifts to help fill and move sandbags to prevent further flood damage.
“The Flagstaff community is a small one but when there’s a crisis people come together in a big way to support one another and get the community through it. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Lamberson. “Just as our community members come together its equally exciting to see organizations like our Russ Lyon Foundation do all it can for Arizona’s communities and families.”
The Russ Lyon Foundation is dedicated to supporting Arizona’s non-profits and so far in 2021 the charity has donated more than $65,000 to various causes throughout the state. Whether it is volunteering, hosting charitable drives, or making donations, the Russ Lyon Foundation has strived to uplift communities during these unprecedented times.
The Russ Lyon Foundation Pinnacle Peak v-corps team held a fundraiser and collected items to benefit Dogs 4 Vets through the American Service Animal Society.
We collected $2,100 through our fundraiser and 2 boxes worth of items for the dogs.
We invited Dogs 4 Vets to one of our sales meetings to present them with a check and all the items collected. During the meeting, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty President and Designated Broker Deems Dickinson presented the two individuals with challenge / commander coins thanking them for their service.
Dogs4vets helps disabled veterans train their own dog to be their service dog. Dogs4Vets sponsors disabled veterans that qualify with lifetime, no cost service dog training and certification. The veteran’s program is tailor-made for their specific needs. Unlike some programs that teach the dog mundane tasks like leaning, our service dogs are trained to interact with the veteran and notice changes in body language, stress hormone chemicals and voice. We stress the use of positive training methods.
The Russ Lyon Foundation, is bringing back their Love Your Neighbors campaign to raise money for the Arizona Housing Fund. In 2020 $5,290 was raised. The sale is happening now and only runs through Sunday, August 22, 2021.
The Love Your Neighbors apparel is being produced by local company SideBar and just $20. New to the 2021 lineup is the apparel coming in a stonewashed blue-gray color option, women’s v-neck, unisex tank and bandana. They are available online, click here.
Every item ordered benefits the Arizona Housing Fund (AZHF). AZHF is a dedicated and sustainable revenue source that grants funding to the nonprofit agencies that build and operate Permanent Supportive, Low-Income and Working Poor Housing. Its equity grants will enable more housing units to be constructed, meeting the growing needs of our communities in Arizona with the goal of reducing homelessness.
“There has never been a more important time for everyone to come together and support the Arizona Housing Fund. This foundation gives families a fighting chance to stay in their homes and helps others find housing.” Betsy Dickinson, President of Russ Lyon Foundation
The Russ Lyon Foundation seeks to provide valuable and meaningful service work within communities as well as charitable investments. Since the foundation began in 2014, more than $500,000 has been contributed towards various 501c3 Arizona-based organizations through direct donations, matching funds, sponsorships, and fundraisers.
Our Tucson V-corps team raised money to benefit the Congenital Heart Defect Families of Tucson Heart Warriors who are kids with a congenital heart defect. All the funds raised helped off-set the costs of their Be Safe Summer Gift Boxes.
After collecting the funds, our v-corps team also went on site to help assemble the Be Safe Summer Gift Boxes
The Mission of CHD Families of Tucson is to bridge the gap in quality of care for CHD Families by empowering parents with the tools to advocate on behalf of their children. Their vision is to increase family involvement and reach by encouraging families to recognize that our most valuable resource is our network of parents who have been where you are.
It is said that one can escape or lose oneself in a book. By donating books to the soldiers and veterans of our country, provide them a chance to escape during downtime and to educate themselves. Organizations such as Books for Soldiers and Operation Paperback provide gently used, donated copies of books for active-duty military, veterans, military families and patients at VA hospitals.
The Pinnacle Peak v-corps team held a collection drive for books, DVDs and DVD players as their Q1 project and collected over 20 banker boxers full of items.
Another great volunteer day with Arizona Helping Hards decorating birthday bags.
Pictured from left to right: Karlii DiGrazia, Shawna Perkins, Angie Sturdivant
On May 3rd our Camelback Tower v-corps team volunteered with Arizona Helping Hands unpacking and folding clothes for children in foster care.
We have more volunteer opportunities posted on our Events Calendar!
Our Flagstaff v-corps team continues to serve the community with the Flagstaff Family Food Center, putting together food boxes for their distribution program.
The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation Southeast Valley v-corps hosted a collection drive and fundraiser to support Girl Scout Troop 1656 in their efforts to receive their Bronze Award.
We were able to contribute many items and over $1,000 towards remaining items needed for their project.
Troop 1656 put together 100 Birthday Bags for Branching Out Family Services on Saturday May 1. Each bag contained cake mix, icing & sprinkles, plates, napkins, candles, balloons, prizes, invitations, and a Gift Card. These bags will be handed out to children in Foster to Adopt programs.