$100,000 in funding will drive major campaigns, starting with holiday toy drive

PHOENIX (Nov. 25, 2024) — As part of its ongoing efforts to support Arizona children in foster care, the Arizona Lottery has partnered with The Foster Alliance to provide $100,000 in funding for essential items for children in foster care and their foster families. The funding will benefit three of The Foster Alliance’s major annual campaigns: Holiday Toy Fest, Birth to Five Essentials, and Back to School.

“We remain grateful to the Arizona Lottery for joining us as we celebrate our Holiday Toy Drive season,” said Maureen Noe, president and CEO of The Foster Alliance. “Together, with other community organizations and individuals, we bring joy to foster children throughout Arizona. The Foster Alliance believes every child deserves a chance to win. Winning sometimes means having a few special gifts to call your own, or your own bed, shoes, clothes, and/or backpack. Unfortunately for many who enter the foster care system, this is not the case. However, because of the Arizona Lottery’s funds, they will have both!”

The Foster Alliance, formerly Arizona Helping Hands, was founded in 1998 and has expanded its reach across the state serving foster families out of their Phoenix and Flagstaff offices as well as offering mobile access out to Tucson, Kingman, Goodyear, Page, and several Tribal Nations through its two mobile units. The Foster Alliance is the largest provider of essential needs for children in foster care in the state, serving more than 8600 children and 5000 families/ caregivers just this last year.

This partnership kicks off with the Holiday Toy Drive. Through community donations and support from partners like the Arizona Lottery, foster or kinship families can ensure that the children in their care receive a holiday gift. Volunteers are welcome to join and donate funds, volunteer their time, and/ or contribute in-kind items. All contributions are welcomed today and throughout the year.  

After the holidays, the Lottery will support The Foster Alliance’s Birth to Five efforts to provide essential items from January through National Foster Care Month in May. Research has shown that the first five years of a child’s life are critical to their lifelong development and success, and nearly one-third of children in foster care are age five or younger. Again, aligning together, foster children are on a pathway to thrive. 

Finally, over the summer, the Lottery will support The Foster Alliance’s Back to School efforts to provide new backpacks with grade-appropriate supplies for preschool-aged children through high school. 

“The Arizona Lottery has had a longstanding commitment to supporting vulnerable youth in Arizona, and we are proud to partner with The Foster Alliance for this important work,” said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “It is our honor to help meet these kids’ needs as well as bring some magic to their childhoods.”

The Arizona Lottery’s mission is to responsibly maximize revenue to support programs that benefit all Arizonans in four key areas: health and human services, higher education, environmental conservation, and business and economic development. To date, Arizona Lottery ticket sales have generated more than $90 million to benefit organizations supporting children experiencing foster care.

For more information on the Arizona Lottery's initiatives for the public benefit, please visit www.ArizonaLottery.com/GivesBack.

To learn more about The Foster Alliance, or to become a #FosterAlly, please visit https://TheFosterAlliance.org/