Child Crisis Arizona welcomed nearly 500 guests to its annual Lunch for Love fundraising event on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, raising $1,000,000 in just one hour to support the organization’s foster care and adoption services, family education, children’s counseling, and health and wellness programs.
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“At Child Crisis Arizona, our mission is more than just a goal—it’s a calling. It’s about ensuring that no child is left behind, no young person is left to face adulthood alone, and no family is denied the support they need to build a better future – because it’s the right thing to do,” said Child Crisis Arizona CEO Torrie A. Taj before inviting clients of the organization to the stage to share their stories. “Today’s event empowers us to grow while creating sustainable change, breaking generational cycles of abuse and neglect, and preventing homelessness.”
Child Crisis Arizona board chair Cindy Coffman and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald joined Taj on stage to set the tone for the inspirational afternoon.
“I began my volunteer service with Child Crisis Arizona in 2012 and since that time, I have been blown away by the growth of the organization,” said Coffman. “In the last year alone, the agency served over 42,000 individuals statewide through education, prevention and intervention programming.”
Coffman also shared details on the organization’s exponential growth to serve more children and families.
“Child Crisis Arizona now offers programs that provide vital wraparound services to everyone from prenatal mothers to adults with developmental disabilities. It is this focus on embracing challenges within the community to meet the needs of all ages, all backgrounds and all circumstances that continues to inspire me and my fellow Board members,” said Coffman.
The crowd erupted when Sewald, who raised funds for Child Crisis Arizona throughout the 2024 MLB season through his Sewald’s Strikeouts 4 Kids initiative, took the stage. Sewald shared that after starting their own family, he and his wife were eager to find a way to give back to children, in particular, especially those in their time of need.
“For each strikeout during the Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 season, we pledged to donate to Child Crisis to support family programs that directly benefit those in need and called upon fans and the greater community to do so as well,” said Sewald before asking guess to consider donating to support the organization, and join the Building Stronger Futures Society.
The event was sponsored by The Bidstrup Gift Fund, BOK Financial, TDI Industries, General Dynamics, OPUS Foundation, Law Firm of Papetti Samuels Weiss McKirgan, Verra Mobility, and Wilde Wealth Management Group.
The event closed by announcing the dates for Child Crisis Arizona’s 48th annual gala, which is set for Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the JW Marriot Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa.
For more information, visit www.childcrisisaz.org.
