Kathy Shayna Shocket has the stories on the people who make a difference.

Kathy reports how BOV “pumped up” the funds raised.

 With a sold out crowd of 1,010, filled with generations of Phoenix’s most prominent families, the Board of Visitor’s fashion show is one of the Valley’s most popular fundraisers.  This year’s theme of “Pumps and Pearls” spotlighted the 2016 Flower Girls and the BOV grandchildren in Dillard’s fashions, as well as the 2015 grant recipients. 

Amidst the holiday spirit was the generosity of those buying raffle tickets and an ARMY of the BOV volunteers and BOV family members who helped “pump” up the amount of raffle ticket sales raised. Enter a secret Santa (an anonymous donor) who matched the $32,810 of tickets sold that afternoon!

“It’s a record,” say Melissa Coy and Sharon Stevens who co-chaired the luncheon and whose family members Connor McGinley and Alex Stevens, a former BOV flower girl, (all pictured at very top) also helped sell raffle tickets at the 62nd annual luncheon. 

 “The end result for the Valley, is we will be able to fund more grants in the community to deserving organizations which is the entire reason for the three BOV fundraisers,” they said referring to its major annual events. Prue Brito, Deb Cain and Robin Vitols chaired the raffle committee. 

Established in 1908, the Board of Visitors is the oldest charitable organization in Arizona. Since its inception, The Board of Visitors has granted more than $17 million dollars to local nonprofit organizations serving the healthcare needs of women and children.

Kathy Shayna Shocket is a freelance Writer and TV -Field Producer based in Phoenix, AZ. The former TV Reporter has written for publications such as TIME Magazine, Money Magazine, PEOPLE Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and The NEW YORK TIMES.  You can reach her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it