The Arizona Builders’ Alliance (ABA) is asking for your help.
Remember the excitement you felt when you went back to school shopping? The ABA Community Service Board is collecting donations for Children First Academy schools in Phoenix and Tempe.
Since school starts on Aug. 5, the deadline has been extended to Aug. 2.
Established in 2008, Children First Academy (CFA), with campuses in Phoenix and Tempe, is the one of the largest schools in the nation to serve a student population that the vast majority is homeless and 100% live below the poverty line.
On Friday, CFA will celebrate the opening of a newly renovated 52,000 SF campus at 1648 S. 16th St. in Phoenix. The school will be able to serve up to 750 students in K-9, with plans to expand to 12th grade by 2017. Currently, 350 students are enrolled at the Phoenix campus and 230 K-8 students are enrolled at the Tempe school.
According to the Department of Education, in the 2011-2012 school year there were 18,305 homeless students living in Maricopa County and 31,415 statewide. To address the physical, mental and emotional needs of the students, the schools provide shower facilities, food, clothing, medical and dental services to the students and their families throughout the year, even during the summer months.
The Arizona Builders’ Alliance is collecting school supply donations for the students and teachers, but the school is also in need of non-perishable food items, hygiene items and new or gently used clothing in sizes from toddler to teen. Bring all donations to the ABA Office, 1825 W. Adams in Phoenix by the new deadline of Aug. 2. Suggested items include backpacks, crayons, notebooks, index cards, Kleenex and hand sanitizer.
The ABA Community Service Board coordinates two major donation efforts throughout the year in addition to the Back to School Drive: Cell Phones for Soldiers and the Annual Holiday Toy Drive. You do not need to be a member of the ABA to participate.
