Miracle League of Arizona Wiffle Ball Game

Thunderbirds Charities and their continued support of the Miracle League of Arizona provides young Arizonans with disabilities and special healthcare needs an opportunity to experience the joy of America’s greatest pastime – baseball. Thunderbirds Charities most recent donation of $50,000 was celebrated on November 13th with a friendly Wiffle Ball game with The Thunderbirds paired against perennial Miracle League supporters the Scottsdale Charros at Miracle League Field. The impressive facility offers adaptive baseball with custom designed, rubberized turf to allow easy maneuverability for wheelchairs and other devices, and is fully capable of accommodating over 200 special needs athletes, their families and equivalent number of volunteers. The games are success-oriented as each player is encouraged to do as much as they can on their own, while a volunteer “buddy,” a one-on-one friend and helper, assists with whatever additional help the player might need to succeed. More
 

The Happily Ever After League (HEAL)

The Happily Ever After League (HEAL) was founded in 2004 after Lauren Daniels was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35. Lauren’s children ranged in age from 1 to 11 at the time of her diagnosis and she realized how challenging it was to be a mom with cancer. She formed a Board of Directors and in July, 2004 HEAL began raising money to provide support to Arizona mothers recovering from cancer. HEAL provides a one-time financial grant towards medical bills, rent and utilities. A HEALing House was created in October of 2007 for ongoing support of HEAL families. Programs include monthly social events as well as outreach through the Pantry which is offered once a month to help relieve financial pressure from all of the extra costs that are involved in cancer recovery. Outreach programs also help to provide holiday gifts, back to school supplies and backpacks to the families. On average HEAL helps 80 mothers per year. The requirements are you must have at least one dependent child living at home and you must be in active treatment for any type of cancer. If you or someone you know could benefit from HEAL please visit www.happilyeverafterleague.org. […] More
 

Thunderbirds Charities Helps Purchase Specialty Sports Wheel Chairs

Thunderbirds Charities made a commitment in August of 2007 to help fund a project – a dream, really – the goal of which was to build a sports and fitness center for people with disabilities in Phoenix. It would be one of only two facilities of its kind in the United States, and the only universally-designed, accessible facility in the Western United States. On October 31st, 2011, this “dream” project became a reality, as the Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit) opened its doors. The 45,000-square-foot facility boasts two sport courts, a suspended indoor track, a 35-foot rock climbing wall, a 7,000-square-foot fitness center, a group fitness room and an accessible aquatic center with lap pool, therapy pool and spa. The SpoFit is a program of Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which provides programs that empower people with disabilities to live independently. Thunderbirds Charities recognized the importance of this facility and the impact it would have on the quality of life for people with disabilities early on during the capital campaign, and contributed $100,000 towards the facility. All funds were used towards the purchase of the specialized, accessible equipment […] More
 

First Tee Kids Take On Thunderbirds

As many of you know, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is hosted by a pretty special group of volunteers called The Thunderbirds. When they’re not knee-deep running the world’s largest golf tournament, they’re supporting the First Tee of Phoenix. Well, they own the chapter actually! Today marked the 4th Annual Big Chief Challenge, an opportunity for kids and adults alike to get out on the links at Phoenix Country Club and have some good old fashioned fun. Pictured here are first-place winners Thunderbird Robbie McGarey (far right) and First Tee members Mahanth Chirravuri, Jake Guess and Christian David. More
 

Thunderbirds Branch-Guadalupe Hall of Fame

Thunderbirds Charities has been a supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley for many years. In 2001, due to a large donation to our capital campaign to build the Guadalupe Branch, the facility was renamed the Guadalupe Branch the Thunderbirds Branch-Guadalupe. Most recently, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley received $112,000 in January 2010 and $50,000 in May 2013, for programming and transportation needs at the Thunderbirds Branch-Guadalupe. And in 2014, $100,000 was granted in support of the Guadalupe Field Project, to build a multipurpose field on an empty dirt lot adjacent to the Boys & Girls Club facility. The Thunderbirds Branch-Guadalupe serves 1,380 members annually with an average daily attendance of 280 during the school year and 150 during the summer. Approximately 600 youth participate in the Youth Sports programs at the Thunderbirds Branch. 85% of the membership at the Thunderbirds Branch is minority and 62% reside in single parent families. 70% are at or below the poverty line. The Thunderbirds Branch serves those who need it most. In regards to the Guadalupe Field Project, the majority of the 5,000 residents of Guadalupe will utilize the field, whether it is through Boys & […] More
 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley Thunderbirds Branch-Guadalupe Breaks Ground on New Football / Multipurpose Field

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley (BGCEV) is partnering with the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL Grassroots Program, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and The Thunderbirds to construct a football / multipurpose athletic field at the BGCEV Thunderbirds Branch-Guadalupe. The project will include installation of new turf/football field, a shaded play structure, and a sport court. Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said “We are happy to assist our neighbors at the Thunderbird Branch-Guadalupe Boys & Girls Club with this project in our back yard. The opportunities this field will provide for kids to play football and other youth sports on a year round basis will give them more opportunities to stay active and healthy.” Mayor Rebecca Jimenez from the town of Guadalupe said “The Guadalupe community is thankful and appreciative of this support from the NFL, LISC and The Thunderbirds to build this football field for our children and families. This will be one of the jewels in the Town of Guadalupe, and will give our kids a first class field to play many sports on and exercise, as well as hold various community activities as well.” Thunderbirds Big Chief Tom Altieri said, “This new football/multipurpose field […] More
 

2014 Special Olympics Summer Games

Athletes Compete in Track and Field, Tennis and other Olympic Sports Special Olympics Arizona athletes from across the state competed in the 2014 Summer Olympic Games held May 1-3 at Grand Canyon University. The Summer Games are the largest Special Olympics Arizona event held each year with 1,300 athletes competing. The games kicked off with hundreds of fans cheering on the athletes at the Americana-themed Opening Ceremonies, and the fun continued for the following two days with competitions covering track and field, tennis, powerlifting, volleyball and kayaking. “This is by far one of the most highly anticipated events of the year,” said Tom Altieri, Big Chief for The Thunderbirds. “The enthusiasm and appreciation these kids have for the games really lights up the event and makes it all worthwhile.” The Thunderbirds — a premiere sponsor for Special Olympics for over 30 years — spearheaded the awards ceremony, ensuring each athlete was duly honored for their achievements. This renowned charitable organization has raised more than $3 million for Special Olympics Arizona to date, contributing to Summer Games as well as the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program. For more information on the 2014 Summer Games, please visit www.specialolympicsarizona.org. More