Thank You to our Sponsors, Donors, and Supporters!
Together we made a significant difference in the lives of children in need across the Valley. Your support for our 50th Anniversary Golden Masquerade Gala is so appreciated. On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the Back to School Clothing Drive, thank you for your continued support.
Fifty year ago, Back to School Clothing Drive was organized around the simple premise that providing school clothing to children builds their self-esteem, confidence, and allows them to focus on achieving in school. On behalf of the board of directors and staff, we thank you for your commitment and support. You helped pave the way to education success for over 535,000 kids since 1967!
Sponsors
Table Sponsors
- University of Phoenix
- Kenneth Jacobson
- Karl and Carla Gentles
- SRP
- Fennemore Craig
- Service King and Collision Repair
- Bonnie Smith
- Lisa Deane
- Marie Brennan
Award Recipients:
Brian Mueller, Grand Canyon University, Champion for Children Corporate Award
The need for more space to host our annual summer distribution led us to Grand Canyon University and opened up a world of possibilities and collaboration. Now students attending the event benefit from being on a college campus and experiencing first-hand the potential to pursue a higher education.
Kenneth Jacobson, Avnet, Champion for Children Chairman’s Award
Kenneth Jacobson’s leadership as Treasurer has helped build BTSCD into a corporate entity with programs structured for growth. His strategic thinking has led to the expansion of our Student Attire for Education (SAFE) Matching Grant and online retail store into a recognized and innovative approach to nonprofit social entrepreneurship.
James W. Rice, Alhambra Elementary School District (Ret.), Champion for Children Chairman’s Award
A former board president and long-time board member, Jim Rice’s involvement with BTSCD dates back to his time as superintendent of Alhambra Elementary School District. A recognized leader of the shoe department operation, Jim’s passion, dedication, and commitment has forged partnerships for BTSCD that will last well into the future.
Jerry Wissink, BHHS Legacy Foundation, Champion for Children Foundation Award
For the past 14 years, BHHS Legacy Foundation’s Backpack Buddies program has been the catalyst behind Back to School Clothing Drive’s successful New Clothes Beginnings annual summer distribution event. During that time, over 126,000 K-6 grade elementary school children throughout the Valley and Northern Arizona received new school clothing and school supplies.
Emcees:
Ian Schwartz is an Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University. After starting his journalism career in Illinois, Ian worked in Albuquerque and later Sacramento. In the field as a reporter, he has covered flash floods, blizzards, tornadoes, wildfires, drought and just about everything the weather can offer. Ian loves everything about Arizona weather from winter storms in the north to the monsoon in the south. When Ian isn’t giving you the forecast in the morning, you can find him hiking, traveling and exploring everything our great state has to offer.
Yetta Gibson is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, Yetta Gibson is an Atlanta native who has reported news and entertainment for nearly two decades. Most of her airtime has been spent right here in the Valley of the Sun. Her passion is telling great stories, getting out and about to meet and talk to people in the community, and making what she calls “that comfortable connection” with her viewers. Gibson is a proud resident of the Valley with her husband and three daughters.