Sports equipment drive supplies Boys & Girls Club with fun year-round

In June, University of Phoenix was the proud sponsor of the 3rd Annual 620 KTAR Gear Up for Kids Sports Equipment Drive. Donations of new and used sports equipment benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix. The Clubs serve more than 35,000 boys and girls annually through structured, comprehensive development programs for youth in grades K-12. UOPX staff contributed at drop-off locations across Phoenix.

“KTAR 620′s Gear Up 4 Kids sports equipment drive goes a long way to helping

the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix maximize every dollar for critical programs and services," says Amy Gibbons, president and executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. "With the support of wonderful partners like University of Phoenix, kids in our Clubs across Phoenix and the West Valley now have the equipment they need to be active, stay healthy and enjoy sports all year long."

Pictured: Basketballs, jump ropes, tennis rackets and footballs were among the 2,000 sports items UOPX donated to Gear Up 4 Kids.

Share-A-Bear project builds teddy bears for children in crisis

University of Phoenix, the Boys & Girls Club and the Dallas Police Department recently teamed up in a special Share-A-Bear project aimed at providing comfort to children in crisis situations. Approximately 100 UOPX volunteers worked with local Boys & Girls Club children to build 250 bears at a recent staff conference. The bears were donated to the Dallas Police Department. The Police officers keep the teddy bears in their patrol cars to give to local children caught in traumatic situations.

"University of Phoenix is committed to playing an active role in the Dallas

community and proud to support first responders as they comfort some of our youngest residents," says Jennifer Rodriguez, University of Phoenix Dallas Campus director. "Working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and supporting the Dallas Police Department provides our employees with an opportunity to support the community in a very meaningful way."

Pictured: UOPX volunteers join Boys & Girls Club members to build 250 bears in Dallas, Texas.