(Editor’s note: News releases are published unedited unless they contain factual errors.)
Nov. 30, 2016 – PHOENIX– The Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA) is currently seeking support in the form of monetary donations and gifts for their seventh annual Christmas Toy Drive. All donors are invited to a gift wrapping party at DIRTT on Dec. 19 where gifts will be dispersed throughout the following three days to more than 700 children at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, Sunshine Residential Homes, Sequoia Charter Elementary School and Rehoboth Children’s Learning Center, the ABA’s Leadership Development Forum (LDF) community project 2016 recipient.
In addition to bikes, electronics, games and other toys, the children are in need of essential items such as pajamas, underwear, socks, coats, sleeping bags, blankets, toiletries and hygiene products. Majority of the adolescence who benefit from the toy drive are males between the ages of ten and 16.
“The kids that we help are homeless, low income children, have been pulled out of their homes by CPS, or do not have someone to care for them. I have seen a little girl cry when she received her gift because she had never gotten a Christmas present before,” said Joshua Marriott, VDC engineer/estimator at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. He has overseen the toy drive’s operations for the last six years, serving for four years as the ABA community outreach chair.
Marriott says that reactions like the little girl’s make all of the ABA’s hard work worth it. “The toy drive makes my holiday season – this is what my wife, children and I look forward to at Christmas time.”
Every year, the organization makes it their goal to raise at least $20,000. The estimated value of all gift and monetary donations that the ABA has received in the last seven years has totaled in excess of $100,000. Gifts that are not distributed on Christmas Day act as comfort toys to children in transition throughout the year for these charities.
“We are so blessed to build here and live here – this is our community and we have a duty to give back and support those in need,” said Marriott. “Making Christmas about the kids is just one way the ABA stays attached to our community.”
All donations must be made by Dec. 19. Visit www.azbuilders.org to donate via card, check or cash, or stop by one of the following nine drop-off locations. TD Industries is the main drop-off location.
Adolfson & Peterson
5002 S. Ash Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Caliente Construction
485 W. Vaughn St.
Tempe, AZ 85283
Concord General Contracting
4215 E. McDowell Rd., Ste. 201
Mesa, AZ 85215
CORE Construction
3036 E. Greenway Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
FCI Constructors
10922 W. Glenn Dr.
Glendale, AZ 85307
Kitchell
1707 E. Highland
Phoenix, AZ 85016
McCarthy Building Companies
6225 N 24th St.,
Ste. 200
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Sundt Construction
2620 S. 55th St.
Tempe, AZ 85282
TD Industries
1888 E. Broadway Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85282
About Arizona Builders Alliance
The ABA is an alliance of the Arizona Chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), and the Associated General Contractors of America – Building Chapter (AGC). The ABA has offices in Phoenix and Tucson that represent over 280 member companies, including contractors and professional service firms that serve the needs of the commercial and industrial construction industry. The ABA’s purpose is to lead members and the construction industry to greater productivity and profitability through education, networking and business development opportunities and legislative advocacy.
