CHANGE
Citizens Helping Arizona National
Guardsmen Everyday
Making a difference for the families of our National Guard friends and neighbors
Members and staff of the Arizona House and Senate, in conjunction with corporate partners Sedona Patio and Leather and Trucks Only are working to help make this holiday season a little bit better for the families of Arizona’s National Guard. Project C.H.A.N.G.E. (Citizens Helping Arizona’s National Guard Everyday) is a non-profit, bipartisan effort Chaired by Representative Jerry Weiers (R), with Co-Chairs House Democrat Leader Phil Lopes (D), Senate Majority Leader Thayer Verschoor ( R) , and Senator Albert Hale (D).
In great contrast to their original commitment to work one weekend per month and two weeks each summer, many of Arizona’s finest – our National Guardsmen – has been deployed in Afghanistan for over 19 months. This will be the second holiday season that the Guardsmen have not been home and they are not scheduled to return home for several more months.
In addition to the obvious emotional hardships being experienced by these families, a very real economic hardship is widespread amongst their ranks. In nearly all cases, the National Guard salary received during periods of active duty is far less than what most members of the Guard in the private sector earn during their off-duty lives. That creates no small hardship for the families, who make real sacrifices in order to live on an income that in many cases is only half what they were earning prior to being deployed.
Project C.H.A.N.G.E. has been established to honor the sacrifices made by these families by trying to relieve some of the financial burden from Guard families this holiday season. You can feel proud that your contributions will express your thanks in a meaningful way for their generous service to the state and nation.
Donations will be collected at each of the Sedona Patio and Leather and Trucks Only locations as well as in the front lobby at both the Arizona House and Senate.
All donations are tax-deductible. The administrative functions are being done by volunteers, which means this is one of the few opportunities available where 100% of your donations will go directly to the persons in need.
Make all checks payable to CHANGE and help change Christmas this year for our fellow Arizonans who are serving us around the globe.
For more information, call 480-306-4777 or 602-703-7676
Not funded by any taxpayer funds.
Vernon Bagley
Executive Director
Military Families Foundation, Inc.