Over the past two years, life has been trying in many ways. Some days the news is bleak and we tend to forget that there’s a lot of good in this world. There are many folks in the Valley who devote their time to nonprofit agencies, from animal rescues to homeless shelters. In this blog series on Valley nonprofits, we shed light on some of the people and organizations that are making a difference.
When Rebecca Thimsen retired in 2021 from a career in medical social work, she decided to pursue a volunteer position. While in practice, she worked primarily with geriatric and hospice care patients and knew she wanted to put her skills to work with a different, unfamiliar (to her) population. After reading an article about Arizona Helping Hands, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping children in the Arizona foster system, she began volunteering in August 2021.
Can you tell me about the work of Arizona Helping Hands and why it’s important?
Arizona Helping Hands provides essential needs for Arizona children in the foster care system and kinship families. The focus of the organization is to provide basic needs, licensing and safety, birthday dreams, back-to-school events and foster footlockers. Arizona Helping Hands is vital in its support of these children, whether it is a new comfortable twin bed, celebration of a birthday with a customized bag filled with toys, books, games and puzzles or a footlocker to safely store their personal items.
What kinds of volunteer opportunities are available for community members?
As a volunteer, I have had the opportunity to work on fulfillment of birthday dreams, sorting of clothing donations, sorting of toy donations, organizing the library and being a part of the Christmas toy distribution. I am looking forward to participating in the back-to-school event.
What would you tell someone who was thinking about donating to or volunteering for Arizona Helping Hands? It is so important for our community not to forget about these children. I would encourage anyone who is considering incorporating volunteering into their life to come in for a tour and get information. There are many volunteer opportunities at Arizona Helping Hands and you will work alongside an amazing group of people.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about Arizona Helping Hands?
I have seen firsthand the good work and difference Arizona Helping Hands makes. As a volunteer, I am very grateful and proud to be a part of this organization.
