PHOENIX — From children in foster care, to cats and dogs in need of veterinary care, Arizona non-profits are hoping those who are able to give do so on Giving Tuesday.
"Oh, my gosh, it's really important to us...we rely on that a lot to be able to meet the needs of our families," says Jacob Schmitt of the Arizona Children's Association, one of Arizona's largest children's services agencies.
The goal is to be able to provide foster families, adoptive families and those who are helping children through child protective services receive and give much-needed support like childcare, food, clothing, and behavioral health.
Schmitt said food, clothing, holiday gifts, affordable housing and utilities are among the big issues they are experiencing right now.
ABC15 also spoke with the executive director from New Life Center, a women's emergency shelter for those who are victims of domestic abuse.
"So every single dollar counts for agencies like New Life Center, especially in the midst of the holidays. We are providing pretty much the holiday celebration, including gifts for over 60 kids at our center," said Myriah Mhoon of New Life Center.
And then there is Arizona Animal Welfare League, a no-kill shelter based out of Central Phoenix that every year provides free and low-cost spay and neuter clinics, a foster program for nearly 1,500 cats and dogs, and veterinary care at a low cost.
AAWL Director Michael Morefield says, "another really cool thing about our Giving Tuesday this year is a wonderful woman named Cici donated $50,000 to match every dollar donated from Giving Tuesday until the end of the year, up to $50,000. So every dollar that you give is double that -- it's a one-for-one donation. So if you donate enough to vaccinate an animal, you're now vaccinating two, if you donate enough money to cover all the costs of getting a dog or cat into a home, you've now saved two lives."
If you'd like to make a donation to any of the non-profits mentioned above you can visit:
