CoBiz Insurance, Inc. - Phoenix

Since it’s inception in 2001, the Biz Bash has donated more than $3.3 million to nonprofit organizations in Colorado and Arizona, contributing $150,000 in 2012 to The Ryan House.

The CoBiz Financial Biz Bash is an event that combines music, mingling, a unique silent auction and delicious food – all to raise money for a great cause.  The Biz Bash was well-received and quickly became renowned for being more black t-shirt than black tie, more dancing than programming  and more epicurean than etiquette.  The mission of the Biz Bash is to produce a benefit concert that raises funds for worthy children’s causes in both Arizona and Colorado.  The proven success comes from the support of CoBiz employees, clients, partners and friends who continue to believe in the Biz Bash’s purpose year after year.

The beneficiary in 2011-12 was the Arizona Ryan House.  The mission of the Ryan House is to provide respite and palliative care to children with life-threatening conditions and, as needed, en-of-life care.  Ryan House is a home that provides a welcoming, comfortable environment where some of Arizona’s most special children can truly be themselves.  Parents get a much-needed short break from the continuous care their child requires at home.
 

D.M. Lovitt Agency Insurance Agency - Tucson

Cocoa and Cookies with Santa at Davis Montham Air Force Base found David Lovitt and the agency hard at work Christmas 2011. The agency helped set up toys and serve refreshments for all the children whose Mom or Dad were deployed over the holidays. The goal was to bring joy and happiness to all these children at this special time that was also difficult for them this last year.

Their efforts don’t stop there.

D.M. Lovitt Agency supports local charities like the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona, Southern Arizona Red Cross, Wingspan, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, Center Against Sexual Assault, Volunteer Center of Tucson, Southern Arizona Humane Society and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson. The agency also supports the Tucson Botanical Gardens and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson in which David Lovitt has served as President and is a long-standing Board Member for each organization. David has also been a member of the Tucson Rotary for many years and active in raising money through the Tucson Classic Car Show which supports the Reading Seed tutoring program.

Eaton & Associates, Inc. - Scottsdale

"Eaton & Associates has always been responsive to the needs of our community –we’ve been blessed with great success in our 32 years in business and it’s been easy to “write a check” for causes we believe in.

We changed our approach in 2012, and decided to have our feet follow the money! We established a Community Outreach Committee, lead by Cindy Akins and Roy Rose, and have kicked off a new volunteering wing at Eaton called “The Philadelphians” because we want to be known by our love for our brethren in the community.

The plan is to strengthen our relationship with both Phoenix Rescue Mission & UMOM by dovetailing our financial support with hands on help.

First on the agenda was a visit by the entire E&A Staff to the UMOM New Day Center to tour the facilities and serve lunch to the resident guests in November. It was a tremendous undertaking but well worth it. Sometimes you can’t put into words how remarkable and rejuvenating an experience like this can be, but Roy found a way to do that with his report that began, “What a BLESSED day today is.” His experience started at the front door when he met a family in the lobby while we were signing in. He learned that Manny has experience running a warehouse and driving a forklift, but that he was looking to do ANY type of job. Maria has applied for a spot in the UMOM Culinary School. Both kids are honor students and on the Principal’s List. This is a real family with real needs. We met many Manny’s and Maria’s during our visit and we felt like we were being part of the solution, if only for a brief time and if only for something as humble as serving lunch.

We followed up our Thanksgiving UMOM visit with sponsorship of 2 Phoenix Rescue Mission families for Christmas. It’s a labor of love to shop, assemble, gift wrap and deliver food, toys and clothes for these families. It is our turn to serve then and it is our privilege to serve. We are excited about our new direction."

General Southwest Insurance Agency - Phoenix

Jay Binsfeld purchased General Southwest in 1975 and while building a successful business, he raised his son’s with a strong sense of hard work and responsibility. General Southwest enjoys a reputation of trust, integrity and community involvement. Having long-term relationships with St. Mary’s Food Bank, Greater Phoenix Boys and Girls Club, Phoenix Youth at Risk, United Cerebral Palsy and Native American Connections.

Jay has created a sense of community through his involvement with St. Mary’s Food Bank, Kiwanis, Rotary, Phoenicians and The Luke’s Men of St. Luke’s. Joe has been very active in the Boys and Girls Club and was awarded “Man of the Year” in 2000 as well as starting the Gila River Classic raising $1.2 million for the Boys and Girls Club. John and Dave are both committed to Phoenix Youth at Risk helping at risk youth through mentoring. John was awarded the Governor’s Mentoring Award in 2008, the Mitch Akin Award in 2006, and was the Life Roads Mentor of the Year in 2007. Dave was honored by President Bush in 2004 as a top mentor in Arizona as well as Phoenix Irish Community and has volunteered as a treasurer for several political campaigns. Al is a long time supporter of the Phoenix Rescue Mission, United Cerebral Palsy, Children’s International and Habitat for Humanity.

International Association of Insurance Professionals

NAIW Region VIII is a trade association affiliated with NAIW (International), dba: International Association of Insurance Professionals, which is open to professionals in the insurance and risk management industries and dedicated to the professional development of our members through educational programs, continuing education opportunities as well as networking in an effort to build business alliances. The local Chapter, Valley of the Sun Insurance Professionals, is a very active organization meeting once a month in Scottsdale.

Valley of the Sun Insurance Professionals is involved in several community activities such as the Race for the Cure, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and St. Vincent de Paul to name a few. 2011’s focus brought opportunities to send care packages to soldiers through Soldiers Angels, adopt 3 families for Thanksgiving and one at Christmas through Save the Family.

The Mahoney Group - statewide

Through the support and efforts of Lorraine Sandell, the Phoenix office has provided 35 hand sewn filled stockings to a brigade of 35 men in Afghanistan. Working with Connie Riecke, founder of Operation Santa/Marine Moms Bethesda which supplies troops with necessary items not supplied by the military. This is a cause dear to their hearts as one of their own employees, Jackie Connors son is being deployed to Afghanistan in February 2012.

The Kingman office is very active in supporting youth activities with emphasis on a Kingman soccer team that has gone undefeated for 7 years and has been division champion for the past 5 years.

The San Manuel Fire Department has been awarded a grant of $5,000 from Fireman's Fund to replace fire hoses and clamps. Mahoney Tucson has been very supportive of all fire departments of Southern Arizona.

Mahoney Mesa bands together every year supporting “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Not only participating in the walk but raising $8,448 through silent auctions over the past three years.

Mahoney Casa Grande is a huge supporter of the local Boys & Girls Club, Little League, Junior Livestock, Keeping Casa Grande Clean & Beautiful and various other charities. They also participate in the “Climb A Mountain” walk for the American Cancer Society as well as the walk to “Fight Diabetes”.

Universal Insurance Facilities, Ltd. - Phoenix

On any given day that you stop by Universal Insurance, you will find Morgan sitting next to Randy or walking the office getting her daily love and attention from the staff. Although Randy spent 20 years providing foster care to rescue dogs, in 2010 she went through the rigorous process of becoming a puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).

An article written by Erica Shatzer describes the program. “CCI improves the lives of disabled persons by increasing their independence with highly trained assistance dogs. It is the largest provider of assistance dogs worldwide.”

Shatzer’s article also states, “ On November 10th 2010, an 8 week old puppy named Morgan was delivered to Tipton. Morgan lives with Tipton and goes to work with her everyday. The puppy accompanies her to business meetings and the pair attend training classes to ensure Morgan acquires the skills needed to become a companion dog. Morgan follows a specific diet and is taught specific commands that will enable her to assist a disabled person. There is even a manual Tipton must follow as a puppy raiser.”

The commitment Randy has given to Morgan and to CCI is tremendous but is done out of her love for dogs and her desire to give back to her community.