AFC Events & Special Programs
To address the gaps in services identified through our work with foster children and through collaboration with other agencies, AFC has developed a network of resources to provide foster children with the support they need.
This network includes volunteers, community partners, and financial donors whose contributions ensure that foster children gain access to the programs they need to break out of the cycle of abuse and poverty.
In addition to the core programs, AFC has developed a variety of special programs, which ensures that special interests, leadership development, and recreational opportunities are addressed. Please check often for upcoming events and new programs.
Monthly Birthday Parties
Many of these parties are held off site. We held a swimming party at O'Neil Community Pool on June 20, 2009 ---120 attending; a bowling party at Glendale Lanes on May 26, 2009---258 attending; roller skating party on March 28, 2009---189 attending; an ice skating party at Altel Ice Den in Scottsdale on May 30, 2009---207 attending; and a party at the batting cages in Mesa on February 28, 2009---146 attending.
Special Events
AFC takes foster children on monthly excursions to many unique cultural activities and centers throughout Arizona. Using teams of volunteers from the National Charity League and in-kind donations, we are able to provide foster children with a variety of experiences that will begin to broaden their view of the world and their place in it.
Train Park Picnic
On January of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in conjunction with the Model Railroading Society, Arizonans for Children held picnics at the Adobe Model Train Park. In addition to being served a hot picnic lunch, the children played with the numerous model trains and were instructed about their operation by members of the model train society. Five trains that both adults and children can ride on operate continuously during the picnic. Each train holds 25 people and each ride lasted for 30 minutes. The trains travel into the desert through miniature cowboy towns, ranches and farms. As soon as the ride would end the children would get right back in line for the next train. This is an annual event.
Enchanted Island Amusement Park Event
On March 20, 2010, Grace Walk Community Church and the owners of Enchanted Island Amusement Park partnered with Arizonans for Children to hold a glorious event for foster children and their families. The entire amusement park was open to foster families and at least 25 additional donors contributed food, drinks, games, music, rock climbing, bouncy contraptions and sack races. 976 foster children attended along with 448 parents and another 200 volunteers. Click on the Video below to see what transpired. This will be an annual event and the next one is planned for March 19, 2011.
Click here for Video of Enchanted Island Event
"Kaye and all volunteers, My CASA child and foster family attended the Spring Fling today at Encanto Park and had a marvelous time! Thank you for all your hard work in planning and carrying out such a fun event for everyone. There was such a variety of things to do and everything was well spaced. Surprise, surprise, even the weather cooperated. Everyone I talked to said they were having a great day. Many people weren't riding on the amusement park rides because they didn't know they could until I told them and they were overjoyed. My little girl's favorite was the jumping slide with the car on top. She could have done that all day. The food line went quickly and smoothly. All the food was delicious. You never ran out of drinks! It was just perfect! The volunteers were so patient and enthusiastic. Thank you for everything you do especially special days like today! I have to go take a nap now. " Sincerely, Ann Riske CASA 3/20/2010.
Train Ride to Wickenburg
In October in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Arizonans for Children arranged with the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad to take foster children on a train ride in the deluxe train cars used in the 60’s and 70’s. The Railroad brought the lounge cars, dome cars and passenger cars in from Wichita, Kansas. The train also had children from the Burn Unit and Make a Wish Foundation on the train. A total of 464 people made the 4-hour trip. In 2009 AFC brought 18 clowns who did face painting, a magician, and 3 balloon artist who made balloon animals. This is also an annual event.
Trip to Murphy Ranch
On November 21, 2009, Arizonans for Children transported 366 people to the Murphy Ranch located 30 miles North of Prescott for a day of ranch activities. See Pictures > > Two of the comments from foster families after this trip describe the event:
.jpg) “My kids had an amazing time! They keep talking about all the cows and horsies they saw at the ranch and the cowboys! They had a chance to sit in the fire engine as well and adored the hay rides. I am still picking hay from my jeans and out of my car. It was a fantastic day of clean air and good fun. The Murphys are wonderful people to have foot the bill in total. I enjoyed them walking around and talking to us as well. It was educational and a great break from the ordinary. My three-year-old now knows that horsies "poop" on the ranch. It was a great reality check for her. Please thank the Murphys for us and bless them for being so giving.
"P.S.: The bus and the videos were a hit with the little ones, kept them occupied when they weren't coloring in their books. We totally enjoyed the day and they slept very well that night! “ Best regards, Sabrina Y. White, 11/09.
.jpg) “Thank you so much for opening your ranch to our foster children! What an amazing day. I can’t believe it was the first one. You all ran it so smoothly. The information signs along the hiking trail were a great teaching tool. Our six-year-old foster son has talked about it many times since we were there. His IQ is not very high, so for him to remember it is great. Many times when I’m visiting with someone he’ll say, “Member. Member that ranch? Tell them.” So we help him retell whatever memory he is having. He LOVED the big machines. One thing that he remembers the most is the turn signals on the front loader! Ha Ha! He motions with his hand and makes the sound. It’s really cute. He is a very troubled child and has terrible anger outbursts. He had a huge episode on our way to the ranch (we were in our own vehicle) and my husband and I discussed turning around and going home. However he calmed down and did great for about four hours. He had a small break down at the ranch but he got himself calmed down when we used 'one more turn on the tractor' as a motivator.” Patti Waldrup, 11/09
Hip Hop Dance Classes
On 6/24/08, 7/8/08, 7/15/08 7/22/09, and 12/30/09 at Singular Sensation Dance Studio--2976 N Alma School Rd. Chandler, AZ 85224, 10—15 children participated in the art project and then the hip hop dance instruction. On July 8th and July 15th, the children were split in half (around 15 in each group by age) and took part in the activities in round robin fashion, each group participating in each activity for one hour. Because group home attendance was fairly consistent, the hip hop lessons built on top of each other in cumulative difficulty and arrangement. The children enjoyed a progression of instruction, while helping the new children learn the new steps and techniques. The art projects included t-shirt and visor decorating and personalization, rope critters (small diameter rope and wire molded into horses, dolls, etc.), collaborative crayon drawing (each person starts a drawing and then everyone stands up and moves so many seats to finish another’s drawing), mural decoration and personalization, and group Pictionary.
Creative Movement Lecture/Demonstrations
In previous months, ASU student group Temenos Dance Collective led 20-30 youth through a series of exercises teaching and integrating improvisation, teamwork, and artistic expression. Activities included habitat- and animal-themed improvisations and collaboratively choreographed group routines. These workshops also explored issues of personal expression and creativity in a novel and exciting way. We are sad to announce as of summer 2009 Temenos has disbanded.
However, we are excited about our new partnership with C3 Dance (formerly Creative Community Collective), a ASU-based creative movement nonprofit bringing the power and fun of dance to underserved children and adults in the Valley. Our first program with C3 Dance was December 6, 2009: 30 children enjoyed dance-based games and other creative self-expression exercises. We are looking forward to many more events with C3.
Children’s Holiday Party
For the last five years AFC has held a holiday party. The 2008 year ended with a holiday party that was attended by 470 people. We served a hot meal of turkey, ham, mash potatoes and gravy, salad, vegetable and ice cream. A DJ played music requested by the children during the party. Santa made an appearance and then the presents were distributed. Each child received 7 gifts. One child stated that it was the best day of his life. Bank of America, The Room Store and the Phoenix Suns Wives ran a massive present drive for us and the presents that we distributed were better in quantity and quality than they had been in past years.
 " I want to thank you all for such a great Christmas party. Today is Tuesday and the kids are still talking about the Christmas party and can't wait to open their gifts." Savena Stewart, 12/09
"What an amazing holiday party , Saturday was....thank you ALL so much we had a great time....and you all did so much to make it wonderful.......We heard so many BIG KIDS saying WOW!!! as they were walking through the parking lot opening the wonderful gifts you put together for them the little ones are always excited ... so thanks again for a wonderful time God Bless and Merry Christmas to you." Cindy Moreno, 12/09
"Tears came to my eyes and heart as I read of all the wonderful support for the holiday party. Another amazing accomplishment by the Board of AFC. Merry Christmas!" Hugs, Jackie Flowers, 12/09
Community Event Tickets
Arizonans for Children contacts community event vendors and solicits and then distributes the tickets to children in foster care. The tickets are given to foster children in various group homes. These tickets were to: Suns games, Diamondback games, Phoenix Mercury, Baseball Spring Training games, Arizona Ballet, Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Polar Ice, Arizona Youth Theater, Shrine Circus, Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Heard Museum, Desert Botanical Gardens, Rawhide Wild West Town, Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Zoo.
From January 1, 2003 - December 31 2009 we distributed 13,635 tickets worth $218,974.
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