The Valley Now

In this episode of the Be Kind Always Podacst I spend some time with Major David Yardley and Scott Johnson from the Salvation Army. We discuss how the red kettle bell ringing is only part of what they do to help families. There is so much more work to do all year long. Everything from disaster relief, senior activity and outreach, adult rehabilitation, providing clothing and shelter for the homeless, or food for the hungry- there is a lot of work to do. Find out how you can help out and join the fight for good!

In this episode, I sit down with two amazing people. Welcome Steve Purves and Nate Lowrie from the Valleywise Health Foundation. They are working hard to make the Valley a better place. Valleywise Health Foundation is the nonprofit 501(c)3 partner supporting Valleywise Health, our community’s public teaching health system for all.  Their mission is to raise funds for key Valleywise Health programs, educational resources, research, programming, and critical patient services.

In this episode, Charlie talks with Tracy and Lisa from Ryan House. Focusing on quality of life and continuity of care, our care team combines compassion with state-of-the-art care to guide your child through their unique life-limiting or end-of-life journey while providing your whole family with peace, comfort, and support.

In this episode, Charlie talks with Addie Mocca from the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center. SARRC is an internationally recognized nonprofit that conducts innovative research, provides evidence-based practices, disseminates effective training and builds inclusive communities for individuals with autism and their families. SARRC is dedicated to autism research, education, evidence-based treatment, and community outreach. We are one of the only autism organizations in the world that provides a lifetime of services for individuals and their families while also conducting cutting edge research. 

In this episode, Charlie talks with Maria Jesus Cervantes from Chicanos Por La Causa. Chicanos Por La Causa (also known as CPLC) was founded in 1969 to confront oppression facing Latinos in Phoenix, Arizona as part of the movement led by Cesar Chavez, who undertook a fast at our original headquarters. Since then, we have become one of the largest Hispanic nonprofits in the country, promoting stronger and healthier communities throughout the southwestern United States. We provide direct services impacting more than 378,103 individuals annually in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Charlie chats with Cari Fonesca, founder of The Next Step Foundation Team Brandon.  The Next Step Foundation's mission is to raise awareness about the life-altering effects of drinking & driving and empower parents & caregivers of individuals with traumatic injuries & special needs to improve their health by participating in programs geared toward exercise, nutrition & self-love.

In this episode, Charlie talks with Chastity Fermoile of the Special Olympics Arizona. The mission of Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ) is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

In this episode, Charlie Huero talks with Marianne Gouveia and Patty Kincaid from EricsHouse. EricsHouse is a new 501(c)(3) and was created to help anyone suffering the loss of a loved one due to alcohol, drugs or suicide.   

We talked to Darryl Toupkin with the 12K's of Christmas and Santa's Pet Village.


Host to one of the largest pet adoption events of the season, this unique family festival celebrates health, fitness and the joy of Christmas, while supporting local animal rescue groups.


Over 20 pet rescue groups will be in Santa’s Pet Village, there to educate you more about the animals they help and to raise money by selling fun Christmas gift items for you and your pets. Dogs, cats and rats - they will all have adoptable pets just waiting to find a forever home this Christmas. 


Santa’s Pet Village and the Christmas Bazaar are open from 7:30 am through 12:30 pm with FREE admission. 


For the more active, there is a run/walk event - the 12k’s of Christmas - offering a 12k run, 6k run/walk and a 1.2k “Santa Sled Run” for families. There are Christmas carolers and performers along the run/walk route and Santa has wrapped gifts under the tree for the most Christmas spirit and the best Christmas-themed running outfits (on people and their pets).

Suicide is a serious matter. It affects each of us in different ways. Directly. Indirectly. What do you do if you think someone is in need of help? This episode tackles many issues regarding teen suicide and how to handle different situations.