"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket: Get the inside scoop on Arizona's social scene and celebrity news.
This Week: Party crasher at friend-raiser? Hint – the Bassett Hound isn't the party crasher...
Planners for fundraising bashes are struggling to keep out an infamous party crasher- the economy. And as nonprofit organizations are trying to survive the economic storm of the past year- the competition for fundraising dollars has created a more frugal giving climate.
So the smaller gatherings are as important as the fundraising dinner and lunches that attract hundreds of people. That’s why the “Friend-raiser” can help charities weather the economic storm. It’s an informal gathering for friends to network and learn about the mission and passion of a non-profit.
And who better to co-host one of these informal gatherings – but the sea adventurist himself- bestselling author Clive Cussler. The grand master of the adventure novel and his wife Janet along with Cheryl and Bob Carr hosted a delightful “Friend-raiser” for the Wellness Community - Arizona. It’s one of 26 chapters nationwide for people with cancer and their loved ones. It’s located on a once acre campus on Palm Lane near downtown Phoenix in a refurbished home built in 1908.
If you haven’t been there – it’s a cozy home-like ambiance. And all of its programs and services including educational workshops and mind/body classes are free.
Friends of Cheryl, Bob, Jan and Clive mingled at the Cusslers’ home to learn more about the Wellness Community. The two couples are pictured above in my photo along with the Cusslers’ new Bassett Hound. The Bassett Hound, their 2 teeny Chihuahuas and their poodle were also there networking.
The Wellness Community is a place for emotional support and beyond – a place to reach out to experts in nutrition and exercise and stress management as well as activities planned for and by teens living with cancer.
Its programs utilizes the Patient Active Concept of people affected by cancer can learn vital skills to regain control, reduce feelings of isolation and restore hope-regardless workshops and mind/body programs of the stage of disease.
In 2006 it opened a teenage cancer center, launching the organization’s first national prototype. Since its inception, 20 children and 70 teenagers from Arizona have entered the center.
Friend-raiser co-host Cheryl Carr who has helped the Wellness Community expand its circle of friends- is passionate about the Community’s vital role in the lives of families affected by cancer. She’s a breast cancer survivor.
Paula Hardison, the Wellness Community’s local executive director spoke about the center’s history – from its start in Santa Monica, CA – to its successful support groups and programs now branching out to partner with several Valley hospitals.
I snapped this photo of Paula Hardison and party guest Tracy Penwell chatting. The Cusslers’ dog listens as the women talk of the Wellness Community’s success. (The poodle in the corner on the arm of the sofa is also impressed.)
Nita and Paula are pictured below at one of the prior events in the back yard of the Wellness Center.
Nita Francis has played a big role in the Wellness Community’s growth. She’s chairing its Voices of Hope fundraising campaign and addressed the need and goal of the $10 million campaign- $5 million for program growth and another $5 million for endowment.
Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based writer. If you have a good item for The AZ Insider, you can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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