The Resident Assistance Fund provides scholarships to Beatitudes Campus residents who have outlived their resources and need assistance meeting the full cost of their housing and healthcare. Planned giving is an arranged gift which will mature to benefit the campus over time. For more information, please contact Barbara Wood, Director of Development at 602-995-6136 (or x16136 on campus phone).
Whether you have a one-time expense or need monthly assistance, the Resident Assistance Fund can provide support in the form of a scholarship to qualified residents so they can continue to live and thrive at Beatitudes Campus.
As we enter this New Year, it almost begs us to see more clearly. I feel a sense of urgency to get things in order and set my intentions for the year and decade ahead.
Our staff and volunteers who make Power of the Purse a success [2018]
One of the events we look forward to every year at
Beatitudes Campus is Power of the Purse. This signature fundraising event, now
in its ninth year, transforms the campus into a festive atmosphere for an
afternoon of fun, fashion, friends—and of course purses! We enjoy great food
prepared and served by our own Dining Services team, drink champagne, visit
with old and new friends, and of course, shop for lots of gently loved designer
purses! This year, Power of the Purse will be held on Sunday, November 3, from
2-5PM, and we invite you to join us! For our residents, we have special pricing
for tickets—$45 (normally $95).
Beatitudes Residents, Naomi Oglesby and Bonnie Hoffman, enjoying the event [2018]
For those of you who are new to the campus, Power of the
Purse (POP) is a party (on a grand scale), where gently loved designer purses
of every stripe and color are auctioned. Why do we do this fundraising event
every year? We do it for you, our residents. You inspire us every day and you
give us purpose. All proceeds from this event support our residents and campus
programming. Funds that are raised benefit the Resident Assistance Fund, our
scholarship program that helps our residents who have outlived their personal
assets. Funds also support programs that engage us and exercise our minds as
well as our bodies.
Last year, Power of the Purse raised more than $226,000 to
directly benefit our campus. This year we hope to raise even more—a testament
to the power of the purse —and to the power of you, our residents! We have
raised more than $1 million in the past eight years, thanks to you!
Lin Sue Cooney at the Silent Auction tables. [Power of the Purse 2018]
On the day of the event, the areas around Town Plaza and
the Rose Garden are transformed for a day into celebratory areas—complete with
a giant tent and red carpet! The Bistro becomes a room full of purses, where we
have a silent auction of beautiful purses. We also offer “Purses with Prizes,”
where every purse has a gift card or coupon worth at least $25. But, it’s not
all about purses—we will have a “wine and fine spirits pull” where you can
secure a bottle of wine or fine spirits that are favorites of the Beatitudes
Campus Board of Directors and the campus leadership team. If purses are not your thing, we will also
auction off sports packages, spa treatments, arts packages, firefighter
ride-alongs and other fun items.
Resident, Bill Chase and friend, Susan Leabitt, playing Black Jack in the Rose Garden [Power of the Purse 2018]
Once you have placed your bid on your favorite purse, you
can wander toward the Rose Garden where you can enjoy a casino area, Scotch and
Tequila tasting and more food and fun.
Near the end of the event, the big white tent in the
Promenade Mall becomes alive for the live auction and fashion show of purses,
where our awesome auctioneer, Letitia Frye, will demonstrate how much passion
she has for Beatitudes Campus. Many of you will remember Letitia from years
past—she puts on a show you won’t want to miss!
Resident, Joannie Bailey and Foundation Staff member, Ray Gonzales on the red carpet during the Live Auction [Power of the Purse 2018]
Power of the Purse is also about Power of Community. It’s
so heartwarming to see about 400 community and corporate leaders, campus
friends, residents and family visit with each other, enjoy the beautiful and
bountiful food prepared by our own campus chefs, buy purses and experience the
power of Beatitudes Campus. The generosity and fun that we experience on this
day cannot be matched!
Of course, an event of this magnitude would not be
possible without the support of our sponsors. We are so thankful for the
enduing support of our sponsors—they have such a passion for the residents and
campus. This year, The Weitz Company and Blue Cross Blue Shield are the Title
Sponsors for the event, Morrison Living is our Red Carpet sponsor. The
Beatitudes Campus Auxiliary, as well as board members, partners and staff have
also stepped up to the plate to become sponsors.
Live Auction bidding with Leticia Frye, Auctioneer [Power of the Purse 2018]
Of course, an event of this size requires lots of planning
and helping hands to make Power of the Purse successful! The Fund Development
team manages the event, and nearly 30 staff volunteers from most of the
departments across campus help on the day of the event. We are so grateful to
our Power of the Purse Steering Committee made up of community leaders and
campus friends. This dedicated group has been securing donations—designer
purses and other auction items—to make this day a great success. But mostly, it
is you, our residents, who give us inspiration and encouragement to put on
Power of the Purse every year. You are the power!
I invite you to join the party and buy your ticket from
the Foundation Office (in Agelink). You can join your friends and neighbors and
celebrate the Power of the Purse! Please call Barbara Wood (x16136) if you have
any questions.
The awesome panel—Mayor Kate Gallego, Mayor of City of Phoenix, Dr. Maria Harper Marinick, Chancellor of Maricopa Community College District and Dr. Judy Jolley Mohraz, Trustee of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust – are leaving their mark on Phoenix.
“Women have a unique power of being able to look at the world’s problems and discover solutions that transform lives and make the world a better place.”
You can
witness the power of those words first-hand at the Third Annual Power of Women:
Wine, Women and Conversation event, which will be held on Wednesday,
September 18, from 5-7 pm in the Life Center. We are shining a light on
three women who are shaping the Phoenix community: The Honorable Kate Gallego,
Mayor of the City of Phoenix; Dr. Maria Harper Marinick, chancellor of the
Maricopa Community Colleges; and Dr. Judy Jolley Mohraz, trustee of the
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. They will be discussing their life journeys
– the highs and lows and everything in between. We will hear the expansive
amount of work they do for our community and how the connections and support
they receive from our community has been transformational in their lives. Our
own President and CEO Michelle Just and Letitia Frye, our Power of the Purse
auctiontainer, author and speaker, will moderate the panel discussion.
Mayor Kate Gallego has spent her career working to find solutions to complex problems. Prior to being elected as Mayor this past March, she served for five years as the City Councilwoman for District 8. She is the second elected female mayor in Phoenix history and the youngest big-city mayor in the United States. She’s passionate about building a Phoenix that works for everyone, including her two-year-old son, Michael. Prior to being elected mayor, she worked on Strategic Planning and Economic Development for Salt River Project. Mayor Gallego graduated from Harvard University and earned an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Maria Harper Marinick is a national leader in higher education and strong advocate for access, equity, and student success. She has served in leadership positions for 17 years at Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college systems in the U.S. serving 200,000 students across 10 colleges. She was appointed chancellor in 2016. She is the first female and the first Latina to be appointed to lead a higher educational institution in Arizona. She is originally from the Dominican Republic and came to Arizona in 1982 as a Fulbright Scholar to complete graduate work at Arizona State University, where she earned a master’s and doctoral degrees in education.
Dr. Judy Jolley Mohraz has spent her life committed to the community and education. She served as the founding president and CEO of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the largest private foundation in Arizona and currently serves as a trustee. She positioned the trust to be a significant partner in civic leadership, constructive change and investment in solution-focused social strategies. Prior, she was president of Goucher College in Baltimore for six years and served on the faculty and administration for 20 years at Southern Methodist University. Her academic focus was American history and she authored a book about Black education in the northern U.S. in the early 20th century. She serves on numerous boards and was a presidential appointee to the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Naval Academy. She earned her doctorate from University of Illinois and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Baylor University
Michelle Just, as we all know, is the amazing leader of Beatitudes Campus and has made enormous contributions nationally in the aging services field. Letitia Frye has been involved in Beatitudes Campus for the past five years as auctioneer at Power of the Purse. She has made a big impact on the Arizona nonprofit community and has helped raise more than $400 million for these organizations.
For those
of you who attended Power of Women last year, you know how positive and
uplifting this evening is. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll cheer on your new
friends. I hope you will come this year!
We invite you to join us at Power of Women and be part of the Women, Wine and Conversation. Tickets are $45 (wine and appetizers included) and can be purchased by calling me (Barbara Wood at x16136) or coming to the Foundation offices. Please call me if you have any questions. I hope to see you there!
The Admin. for Community Living – a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – believes that when older adults and communities stay connected, everyone wins.
That’s why “Connect” is the first step of the three-part theme for Older Americans Month 2019: Connect, Create, Contribute. Celebrated every May, Older Americans Month is a catalyst for people of all ages to connect and participate in a larger conversation about aging in America — a conversation that grows in importance as the number of older Americans continues to increase. This theme helps remind us to connect with friends, family and services that support participation. It reminds us to create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health and personal enrichment. It reminds us also to contribute our time, talent and life experiences to benefit others.
At the beginning of 2000, 46 million Americans were older than age 60. By next year – 2020 – that number is expected to reach more than 77 million! Celebrating Older Americans Month is a good time for us to honor your contributions to our community. As volunteers, educators, mentors, advocates – you have offered your insight and experience in ways that benefit our Beatitudes community as well as the broader community. You have enriched our neighborhoods and communities through your work ethic and sacrifice to expand the promise of prosperity. Communities that encourage your contributions are stronger. With your engagement and support, we recognize that you play a key role in the vitality of Beatitudes Campus and in our lives.
We are honored that Phoenix Mayor, Kate Gallego, and Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey, proclaimed—at Beatitudes Campus Foundation’s request – that May 2019 would be celebrated as Older Americans Month. The White House also issued a proclamation for Older Americans Month, saying, in part, “Older Americans are treasured members of our communities. They have poured their lives into our country in ways seen and unseen—often at great personal sacrifice. During Older Americans Month, we honor these Americans, we remember their countless contributions, and we proudly renew our abiding commitment to their well-being.”
Beatitudes Campus is investing today to create a network of programs and amenities to inspire, support and empower you, our residents, as well as future residents to lead healthy, enriched and fulfilled lives. One way we are doing that is by connecting—connecting you with programs that are offered on campus, connecting you with one another and connecting you with us to help us discover new ideas.
Beatitudes Campus Foundation wants to connect with you! We will host a Foundation Open House on Wednesday, May 22, from 1:30 to 3PM, in the Agelink Lobby area. It will be an informal drop-in – drinks and treats provided! You can find out what the Foundation does and you can get to know the Foundation team – Barbara Wood, Linda Travis and Ray Gonzales. But, most importantly, we will be able to hear from you and hear about your ideas! We look forward to building connections with you.
Music connects us to one another. Music is the language of the soul. Music knows no boundaries of time or place. Music tells stories about peoples’ triumphs and tragedies. Music can evoke strong feelings, from ecstatic joy to devastating sorrow and all that lies in between.
There are occasions and events that move us beyond what might ever be imagined and leave us wanting to invite others to join us. One such event is Violins of Hope, a concert experience enjoyed by about twenty Beatitudes Campus residents at Central Methodist Church on March 3. Beatitudes Campus resident Cecilia Rolston commented that the event was “so heart-warming and beautiful” and “provides hope.” Others in attendance echoed Cecilia’s comments.
What are the Violins of Hope? These are violins actually played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, including in the concentration camps. Our residents who attended this concert heard beautiful and powerful music produced by three of those surviving violins played by members of the Downtown Chamber Series. They also heard the story of these instruments as each passed through the horrors of Nazi genocide into the skilled hands of Ammon and Avshi Weinstein who restored each one. Through their restoration project, the Weinstein family gave new voice to the instruments and to all people and generations traumatized by the Holocaust. The violins symbolize the power of music and highlight resilience and hope.
Equally moving at the March 3 concert were the performances by the remarkable young musicians and singers with Rosie’s House (one of the largest completely free music programs in the nation for youth who would otherwise not have such an opportunity). The voices and spirits of youth were also very heartbreaking and hopeful when the Phoenix Girls Chorus sang a Yiddish Lullaby in the opening performances of Violins of Hope on February 23-24. The Phoenix Boys Choir will be singing in a performance on March 24.
Want to Know More About the Violins of Hope Events in March?
On March 19th a Tribute Concert honoring those who perished and those in the Phoenix community who survived the Holocaust. Charlotte Adelman, a Holocaust survivor and friend of the Beatitudes Campus, will be featured at this concert.
Until March 24th, 21 of the violins will be exhibited and the story of each recounted at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (Free admission).
Until March 26th, a photography exhibit at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center will showcase the work of Ammon Weinstein as he restored each violin.
As you read this article, we hope you are interested in finding out how to attend the Violins of Hope activities, concerts, exhibitions, and lectures throughout the remainder of March. Do visit the main website page for more information or ask a friend to help. It is best to scroll down the page until you reach the section listing all of the March events and click on the event(s) of interest. Here is the website: https://violinsofhopephoenix.com/buy-tickets/events
Please note that Beatitudes Campus will not be providing transportation to any of the remaining Violins of Hope events.*
The discussion of leaving a legacy has come up in conversations I have had lately among my friends and family. All of us want the opportunity to make a difference in the world and leave a legacy. We all want to be remembered and to feel that we’ve contributed something to the world.
For most of us, we will leave a legacy that doesn’t necessarily change the world but does leave a lasting footprint that will be remembered by those whose lives we have touched. I think of all the blessings I have in my life and I try to be mindful of sharing with others the richness of my life.
I also am considering what kind of charitable legacy I want to leave. Throughout the years I have supported people and causes that are important to me and to the people in my life. I support Beatitudes Campus because I want to invest in its mission to welcome people of all faith traditions and to commit to a holistic model of wellness.
You don’t have to be wealthy to leave a charitable legacy – you just have to do a little bit of planning. Your legacy and support for Beatitudes Campus can help ensure that we inspire future generations of seniors. Whatever you want your legacy to be – providing support to people who are struggling through no fault of their own, supporting innovative programming, helping to expand arts and music programs, creating a welcoming environment in which seniors can thrive, supporting tomorrow’s workforce – it is all possible through a planned gift.
What, exactly, are planned gifts? They are, quite literally, what they sound like. The term “planned gift” simply means that you have planned to give a gift at a later date.
One of the points of pride for Beatitudes Campus is our enduring culture of making an impact outside the walls of our campus. It is part of our DNA to be engaged in a much larger community than the 23-acre parcel of land upon which our campus sits. Our mission, vision and values do not end at the sidewalk—they are reflective of our commitment to the greater community. We are proud to announce that this commitment was recently recognized by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC), which named Beatitudes Campus as a finalist for its 2017 IMPACT Award, a prestigious award that honors us for the strong footprint we make in the Valley.
We were apprised last December that Beatitudes Campus was nominated for the award by a business community partner and we were asked to start the award process. We were nominated in the large business category (defined as having more than 250 employees). We were given a list of areas in which we were asked to submit information to the award selection committee. These areas included the campus accomplishments in several different business categories—Community Champion, Economic Driver, Exceptional Innovator and Arizona Advocate. Thirteen other companies were nominated in the large business category and submitted their information, along with the campus. Eight businesses were then chosen as finalists. Rod Bailey and I accepted the IMPACT Finalist award last week. It was exciting for us to be there to represent the campus’ achievements. Our next step in this process is for Michelle Just to be interviewed about our accomplishments in a session conducted by a selection panel. We will learn in mid-March if we are honored with being the recipient of the award. Being a leader in aging services calls us, more than ever, to be innovative and flexible. When the campus began more than 50 years ago, older adult living had a different landscape than what it is today and what it will be during the next 50 years. Beatitudes Campus has deeply embedded a culture of innovation throughout the campus – and beyond our walls. Our heritage of innovation is strongly evident—from you, the residents, to our management team, our front-line staff and our board of directors. As a leader in the aging services industry, our reputation as innovative thinkers with entrepreneurial acumen is apparent. As a community champion, Beatitudes Campus residents and staff clearly give with their hearts. Not only is the campus a resource for many diverse community groups, many organizations are recipients of the generosity of time and talent from staff and residents.
Beatitudes Campus is an economic driver for the city of Phoenix, too—as one of the largest employers in north central Phoenix, most of our employees live in and reinvest in the city. The campus’ purchasing power is indeed great. As an Arizona advocate, our efforts have had and will have a deep impact – our Arizona partners look toward Beatitudes Campus to be active and strong partners in initiatives across the Phoenix community.
Winning the IMPACT award will be a great acknowledgement for Beatitudes Campus, but haven been chosen as a finalist in itself is such an honor and tribute to the campus. Other businesses in our category are EPCOR Water, Isagenix International, National Bank of Arizona, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Sonora Quest Laboratories, Southwest Airlines and Total Transit. As you can see, we are being recognized among many wonderful and deserving organizations that are worthy of this award. Stay tuned for the results!
Happy New Year to all of you – residents, staff, partners! This is the time of year when we are more mindful about reflecting on our life and our world. New Year’s reflections often remind us to do more of what works – the right things – and less of what doesn’t work.
We now have turned the page on 2016 and are ready to begin a new chapter. With a new year also comes new resolve to think about tomorrow today. What are we truly passionate about? How can we make a difference? How can we be better servant leaders? What organizations or causes do we care about to devote our personal resources of money, time and energy? The list of projects and endeavors we want to be involved in is probably long and varied, but making such a list will help us to think about where we want to place our energy and resources.
You – the residents, staff, family and friends – devote much time, talent and treasure to Beatitudes Campus, through your volunteering, leadership and charitable gifts to many of the campus initiatives, to programs and to the Resident Assistance Fund. I am humbled by your generosity. Thank you!
The start of a new year can also be a signal for us to begin to make plans for future charitable gifts. With a planned gift, you can create a lasting legacy of support and help the campus continue to provide excellent opportunities and services for generations to come. Every day, Beatitudes Campus, along with our residents and friends, are expanding the boundaries of what’s possible through programs that connect us through our mind, body and spirit. We support programs that exercise our minds as well as our bodies, and programs that help us to expand our campus into the community. One of the driving forces behind these programs is you. You make things possible today, and tomorrow, with planned charitable giving. Planning now makes more possible tomorrow.
There are many different types of planned giving options. You can help ensure the future of Beatitudes Campus programming and innovation in a way that works for you. Cash contributions are always appreciated, and there are other creative and flexible options that can benefit you and Beatitudes Campus. There are many ways to make a significant impact through a planned gift – you can consider making a gift that costs nothing in your lifetime through a charitable bequest under your will or trust, or by beneficiary designation. An easy way to include Beatitudes Campus in your estate plan is to name Beatitudes Campus Foundation as a beneficiary of your donor advised fund, retirement plan, IRA or life insurance policy. Planned gifts can also give back—and can help you prepare for your future. They can provide income for you and your loved ones for life. They can also allow you to take income, gift and estate tax deductions and can provide favorable capital gains tax treatment. Planned gifts allow you to leave a legacy for future generations.
All people who have made a bequest or other type of planned gift are invited to join the Culver H. Nelson Founder’s Society at Beatitudes Campus. It’s our way of recognizing you and thanking you for your generosity and for ensuring the future success of Beatitudes Campus. If you have made such a gift, we want to know and recognize you, so please let me know. Throughout the next year, we will offer some workshops on gift planning to help you with your options. In the meantime, I’d love to talk to you. Of course, you will want to talk to your financial or tax adviser also. Feel free to stop by and talk with me about any kind of charitable giving. Please contact me in the Foundation Office (x16136 or stop by the South building – our office is next to Oasis Therapy).
So, let’s turn the page to our next chapter. Exciting possibilities await in 2017!
One of the points of pride for Beatitudes Campus is our enduring culture of making an impact outside the walls of our campus. It is part of our DNA to be engaged in a much larger community than the 23-acre parcel of land upon which our campus sits. Our mission, vision and values do not end at the sidewalk—they are reflective of our commitment to the greater community. We are proud to announce that this commitment was recently recognized by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC), which named Beatitudes Campus as a finalist for its 2017 IMPACT Award, a prestigious award that honors us for the strong footprint we make in the Valley.
Being a leader in aging services calls us, more than ever, to be innovative and flexible. When the campus began more than 50 years ago, older adult living had a different landscape than what it is today and what it will be during the next 50 years. Beatitudes Campus has deeply embedded a culture of innovation throughout the campus – and beyond our walls. Our heritage of innovation is strongly evident—from you, the residents, to our management team, our front-line staff and our board of directors. As a leader in the aging services industry, our reputation as innovative thinkers with entrepreneurial acumen is apparent. As a community champion, Beatitudes Campus residents and staff clearly give with their hearts. Not only is the campus a resource for many diverse community groups, many organizations are recipients of the generosity of time and talent from staff and residents.