2023 Mike Nye’s Instrument Report Shop has been instrumental in the success of the Instruments for Success and Guitars for Vets programs, as well as the overall well-being of many of Arizona’s veterans. Through Mike’s generous support of these music programs and his donation of over 400 instruments to veterans and their children, veterans have been positively impacted by music, reporting a reduction in feelings of isolation and depression, and an increased sense of purpose and engagement with fellow veterans.
2023 Arizona Coalition for Military Families was launched in 2009, and is a nationally recognized public/private partnership focused on building Arizona’s statewide capacity to care for, serve and support service members, veterans, their families, and communities. The Coalition created a seamless network of key stakeholders and vetted service organizations with a convenient means to access them via a 1-800 line known as “Be Connected” to ensure that there will be No Wrong Door and No Wrong Person for servicemembers to turn to get the resources, services or benefits they need.
2022 The Ability Center of Phoenix Working closely with the Veterans Administration, physical and occupational therapists, hospital case workers, disability driving instructors and manufacturers, the Ability Center has helped thousands of disabled veterans regain their independence by providing mobility solutions customized to suit their specific functionality and needs. From hand controls and wheelchair lifts to entire vehicle conversions, the Ability Center team specializes in making the impossible possible for disabled veterans.
2021 Arizona Public Services was founded in 1884 and is the largest electric utility in Arizona. The APS Veteran Engagement Transition Retention Network was formed to create an environment of inclusiveness that fosters loyalty and retention by involving APS employees in volunteerism, outreach, and fundraising that benefit the Arizona veteran community. APS features programs like tuition assistance and differential pay when employees in the Guard and Reserve are deployed.
2020 Hospice of the Valley was founded in 1977 by community members seeking a more humane way to care for the dying. It was recognized that Arizona had a large population of Veterans. Nearly half of these Veterans are over 65 and some carry traumatic experiences and illnesses from their service. Since 2011, Hospice of the Valley has proudly served Veterans with its Saluting Our Veterans program.
2019 Franciscan Renewal Center – Casa Veterans Ministry: The Casa Veterans Ministry (CVM) embraces and supports service members and their families who seek healing from the emotional and spiritual wounds of military service. CVM partners with Community Bridges and the Arizona Housing Coalition to provide baskets of household goods and personal hygiene products to recently housed homeless veterans. It has received nearly $325,000 in grants and donations to ensure there is no financial barrier to healing for veterans or their families.
2019 Sundt Construction, Inc /Sundt Foundation: Sundt Construction, Inc and its philanthropic arm known as the Sundt Foundation has a long history of hiring military veterans and reservists at all levels of its organization. The Sundt Foundation and the employees of Sundt have donated over $8.6M dollars to help the community/nation in which they live and work. Sundt Construction was instrumental in the WWI Memorial Restoration of the existing monument located in downtown Phoenix at Wesley Bolin.
2018 Snell & Wilmer Law Offices: A long established and respected firm, that continually demonstrates their commitment to business excellence, philanthropy and veterans. They regularly sponsor events such as “Honoring Arizona Veterans” during the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Toys for Tots, the Wounded Warriors, as well as the renowned “Veterans Heritage Project.”
2016 Sanderson Ford: Sanderson Ford recognizes meeting the needs of the less fortunate by conducting its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive with donations of unwrapped toys, children’s clothing, packaged food and monetary donations to support several valley charities including St. Mary’s Foodbank Alliance, Southwest Autism research and Resource Center, Military Assistance Mission and Ronald Mc Donald House.
2015 Rutherford Diversified Industries, Inc. and Pat Tillman Foundation: Rutherford Diversified Industries, Inc. has generously donated time, money and skills on projects that have substantially impacted southern Arizona communities, especially veterans and their families. They were instrumental in the Historic Soldiers Relocation Project, which created a cemetery within a cemetery for Civil War and Indian Wars remains.
2015 The Pat Tillman Foundation: The Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through educational scholarships – building a diverse community of leaders committed to serve others. The scholars chosen show extraordinary academic and leadership potential, a true sense of vocation, education and the arts. Currently there have been 347 scholars attending 98 different universities with $6 million-dollar scholarship support.
2014 Salt River Project: Salt River Project is the nations third-largest public power and water utility and recognizes the most important investments any organization can make in its employees and community. At present, 169 military veterans are employed at SRP, with two currently deployed. SRP helps employees deal with the transitions and adjustments that result from military service in a variety of ways; positions are held until member returns from tour of duty, dependents continue to receive benefits and life insurance coverage while the member is on active duty.