Lyon's Pride Scholarship: Sabawoon Shinwari

Sabawoon Shinwari

Major: Business Micro Finance

Program: Maricopa Community College Foundation

Fall 2021

My name is Sabawoon Shinwari and I am honored and humbled to be selected for this scholarship. I am thankful for your generosity and your interest in my education. I am the first in my family to attend college., Getting this scholarship has allowed me to fully focus on my school and not worry about how I am going to pay for my school. For this fall semester, I am enrolled in 4 classes at Glendale Community College. I choose to go to community college my freshman year because it allows me to explore all the fields out there and gives me a chance to find my likes and dislikes. I want to study finance in college and hope to become a financial analyst one day and with the help of generous donors like yourself, I will be able to reach that milestone very soon. I am also an honor student at GCC which was something I worked hard for in high school. Receiving this scholarship keeps me motivated and hopeful that people do care about my education which allows me to keep my GPA high. I look forward to giving back to my community one day when I am able and helping students and my community. Once again, I am very thankful for your investment and your willingness towards my education.

Janelle Flaherty Hosted an Event Benefiting the Mama Army

Janelle Flaherty from our Pinnacle Peak office hosted an incredible afternoon of shopping and networking with local boss women in our community last week.

Each business is run and owned by women and 10% of all proceeds from the day went to support The Mama Army, a non-profit organization created and run by some amazing mamas. Generously donated items were awarded to participants and all proceeds went to the mama army. A total of $712 was raised from vendors and the giveaway.

Lyon's Pride Scholarship: Karen Galarz

Karen Galarza

Major: Nursing

Program: Maricopa Community College Foundation

Fall 2021

Dear Donor,

I just want to take the time and thank you for giving me this opportunity. Being a single mother makes affording school more difficult. This award is going to help me tremendously. I am attending nursing school in the fall and had no financial aid to cover my tuition cost. It has been a long-time dream of mine to take care of others and make a difference in my community. Having a degree in nursing will get me closer to reaching such a dream. I have worked long hard hours since I was 16 years old, and this award will help me focus on school more instead of working so much to pay for it. Overall, I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and will always be grateful to you for investing in my future and believing in me throughout my journey.

Thank you!

Russ Lyon Foundation Supports Sedona School Coat Drive

Our Sedona v-corps Q4 Share the Warmth project was a huge success. Items were collected until 11/12 and from 11/12--11/17 the coats were organized and prepped for distribution. On 11/18 Children from all over Sedona were able to receive a coat from the West Sedona Elementary School Multipurpose Room.

Pictured if our Sedona v-corps Advisory Council member Brenda Cady (left), the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Sedona Managing Broker Tod Christensen (right) with the Sedona School Superintendent Dennis Reardon (center).

Russ Lyon Foundation Supports UMOM

The Russ Lyon Foundation Southeast Valley v-corps held a book drive to support Maya’s Children’s Book Drive in support of UMOM New Day Centers. Maya’s goal was 200 books, we were able to provide 922 books and she collected a total of 1,565 books and $65!

Russ Lyon Foundation and Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty Recognized for Philanthropic and Volunteerism Work

The Russ Lyon Foundation and Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty have been recognized and honored by the Phoenix Business Journal for its outstanding volunteerism and philanthropic effort . 

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is dedicated to bringing the highest level of service and technology to buyers and sellers in the luxury market, and now through the Russ Lyon Foundation, the Scottsdale based luxury brokerage is making an even bigger impact. 

The Phoenix Business Journal recognized the brokerage and its Russ Lyon Foundation in two categories this year; Largest Phoenix-Area Corporate Volunteer Programs” and “Phoenix Area's Largest Corporate Philanthropists.”

The brokerage and its charitable foundation placed in the top 25 alongside companies like Wells Fargo and Intel on the “Largest Corporate Philanthropists” list. The list was ranked by 2020 cash contributions to local charities.  It also placed #14 overall on the “Largest Phoenix-Area Corporate Volunteer Programs” list that was ranked by the number of 2020 hours donated by local employees to corporate volunteer activities. 

In total, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and the Russ Lyon Foundation donated more than $100,000 in cash contributions to Arizona charities as well as provided over 600 volunteer hours in Arizona. 

The company also ranked in the top 3 for Corporate Philanthropy and Corporate Volunteerism for a mid-size company. 

“We are thrilled to have been acknowledged for our extensive work in both philanthropy and volunteerism and we hope to continue this work, as it’s not only important to us but for the Valley as a whole,” said Betsy Dickinson, president of the Russ Lyon Foundation.  

Russ Lyon SIR and Russ Lyon Foundation Support UMOM

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and the Russ Lyon Foundation sponsored the 12th annual Buckles and Bangles event for UMOM. Buckles and Bangles event is their annual fundraising event that helps fund the programs and services that get people on the road to stability with employment and an affordable place to call home.

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Real Estate Advisor Theresa Krakauer is on the Board of Directors for UMOM. She attended the event with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty President and Designated Broker, Deems Dickinson, and Russ Lyon Foundation President, Betsy Dickinson.

The Russ Lyon Foundation also matched a $1,100 UMOM donation resulting in a $2,200 contribution towards the organization.

Russ Lyon Foundation Supports Lighthouse for Hope

Our Tucson v-corps team raised funds to benefit Lighthouse for Hope. The funds were used to purchase items to assemble Hannah’s Comfort Bags. These bags are comprised of various hygiene and activity items that are given to children who are in the process of chemotherapy treatments. They are meant to keep them comfortable and entertained during the duration of their treatment.

The bags assembled were delivered to patients at the Diamond Children’s Medical Center

Russ Lyon Foundation Raises Money for the Mesa Hydration Donation

Our Southeast Valley v-corps was able to raise $1,354 towards water bottles for the Mesa. Our goal was to donate 5,000 and enough funds were raised to beat that goal and purchase 5,760 bottles. This was a record year overall for the Mesa Hydration Donation as 701,257 bottles of water was collected, breaking the goal of 400,000.

Additional information on the campaign: The City of Mesa works with nonprofit agencies and businesses to collect the bottles of water which are distributed through United Food Bank to numerous agencies in the valley, including A New Leaf-East Valley Men’s Center, Paz de Cristo and Mesa United Way.  The campaign is a lifesaver for the less fortunate during the hot summer months and the need is even greater this year due to the economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Our 2021 featured non-profit is Lighthouse for Hope who provides support for families that are fighting pediatric cancer. Cancer is an evil that is not only physical and emotionally challenging but also financially challenging. Their goal is to alleviate some of the financial stress by providing assistance for day-to-day expenses. The proceeds go towards gas cards, groceries, clothes, and any other necessities. By supporting Lighthouse for Hope, you are helping families who have a child with cancer.

We have 3 Russ Lyon FoundationV-corps groups that are currently supporting Lighthouse for Hope. Click the links below to support any or all of our efforts!

Fundraiser to purchase items for Hannah’s Comfort Bags - Tucson

Collection for items to assemble Hannah’s Comfort Bags - The Valley