University of Phoenix Launches Its First-Ever Company-Wide Food Drive

On June 14, University of Phoenix kicked off their first-ever national Summer Food Drive at an employee event for all Phoenix-based employees at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. The remaining campuses in 39 states kicked off their started collecting their donations the following Monday, June 16. When the food drive concludes on June 27, items collected will be donated to local food banks nationwide, including St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix, Arizona.

According to Terry Shannon, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank, summer is traditionally a time when food banks have lower-than-average donations, so the need is the greatest. In fact, statistics reveal more than 800,000 Arizonans live at or below the federal poverty level and more than half a million residents consider their food source as insecure. Nationally, over 35.5 million people – including 12.6 million children – live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger.

“Our employees are tremendously giving of their time and money when it comes to helping others in need,” said Nancy Hennigan, Director of Community Relations, Apollo Group. “In fact, the company also is in the middle of a matching donation program to aid earthquake victims in China. We hope to collectively donate over $100,000 to the International Red Cross by mid-June.”

“The employee event at University of Phoenix Stadium provided the perfect opportunity to say thanks to our employees for their hard work and kick off the national drive here in our hometown,” Hennigan added. “We asked each employee who attended the event to bring along five canned or non-perishable food items.”

More than 3,000 employees and their families attended the event and donated nearly 1,700 pounds of food. University of Phoenix employees also contributed cash donations which will be used to purchase 329 meals for hungry Arizona families in need through St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance summer programs.

Campuses Across the Country Put Their Own Spin on the Summer Food Drive

Chicago
The Chicago, Illinois campus sent frequent update emails to staff to keep everyone motivated to donate food. The campus tracked donations at individual locations and recognized top donors throughout the drive to inspire others to give.

Richmond
Even with the knowledge that the deadline for incentives was June 27th, the Richmond, Virginia campus extended their drive through July 4th in order to maximize the amount of food they could provide for the community.

St. Louis
The St. Louis, Missouri campus created a competition amongst staff members in order to increase donations. The individuals who donated the most items won special prizes and recognition.

Utah
The Utah campus created “Throw Down Thursday” to increase their food drive donations. On Thursday, June 19th the campus held a competition between departments to see who could achieve the highest total food item count on items brought in on that day.

Houston
The Houston, Texas campus didn’t just donate food items. Staff members visited their local food bank and helped pack 1,008 boxes of food! It was a great opportunity to go the extra mile and get to know coworkers.

Columbus, Georgia
The Columbus, Georgia campus came up with the I Think I “CAN” Campaign to motivate their staff to donate. Taking inspiration from “The Little Engine That Could”, the Columbus campus reminded staff that by pushing yourself, you can be successful at anything.

Idaho
The Idaho campuses were recognized in local media outlets for their outstanding work with the Company-Wide Summer Food Drive.

University of Phoenix Salutes Our Soldiers

Each Memorial Day, we pay respect to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect and serve our country. In May, 2008, University of Phoenix invited employees company-wide to participate in wristband sale and support the Salute a Soldier Foundation, an Arizona based non-profit organization dedicated to increasing community awareness while providing for the financial, emotional and spiritual assistance to those who have served our country.

From May 19 through May 23, University of Phoenix employees purchased the special camouflage wristbands for $5 each. 100% of the proceeds went directly to the Salute a Soldier Foundation, which was founded by SSG Brent N. Bretz, US Army Sniper, who was severely injured while on the front lines in Iraq. University of Phoenix’s involvement with the Salute a Soldier Foundation is a result of the Severely Injured Veterans Scholarship Program. This program provides scholarships to Arizona’s veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who meet scholarship qualifications. To date, two scholarships have been awarded.

In just one week, the company sold over 9,000 wristbands and raised over $46,000 in donations for the Salute a Soldier Foundation. University of Phoenix is proud to observe Memorial Day and salute our Soldiers who served!

Apollo Employees Donate to the China Earthquake Relief Efforts

On May 12, 2008, China’s city of Chengdu was changed forever. A 7.9-magnitude earthquake resonated through southwest China and dramatically affected Phoenix’s sister city. In response to this horrific event, from May 29 through June 16, the Apollo Group of companies, its management and employees teamed together to donate to the Red Cross’s episodic disaster fund to benefit those affected.

Apollo donated $75,000 to the Red Cross and pledged to employees they would match every dollar employees raised, up to $25,000. For two weeks, employees from across the country donated to the relief effort. The company goal was to contribute $125,000 to the relief fund and Apollo surpassed it! Employees donated $25,219 to China’s Earthquake relief fund, bringing the Apollo donation total to $125,219.

University of Phoenix Teams Up With the Kurt Warner Foundation

On Saturday, May 25, 2008, the University of Phoenix was proud to be a sponsor of An Evening with Champions in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Hosted by Kurt Warner and special guest Masters Champion Zach Johnson, it was a night to be remembered benefiting the Kurt Warner First Things First Foundation. Kurt Warner and Zach Johnson spent the evening sharing their personal stories of overcoming challenges, setting goals, and achieving their dreams. Employees from the Des Moines campus were in attendance to represent the University of Phoenix.

The Kurt Warner Foundation is dedicated to impacting lives by providing opportunities to encourage individuals that all things are possible when you seek to put first things first. Kurt Warner, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, founded The First Things First Foundation in 2001 to give back. In an effort to create a continued partnership, The Kurt Warner First Things First Foundation and the University of Phoenix have teamed up to create the First Things First Scholarship Program. The Foundation believes that “everyone needs an opportunity,” and seeks to provide deserving individuals with the opportunity to receive and education and thus, prepare themselves for a better future.

The University of Phoenix is setting an example by putting first things first and creating opportunities for underserved individuals to pursue their dreams of higher education.

The University of Phoenix Supports the Arizona Valley Youth Theatre

Through 19 seasons, Arizona’s Valley Youth Theatre has strived to provide children with the discovery of a lasting interest in and appreciation for the arts, and the inspiration to be the very best they can be. As the Valley Youth Theatre kicked off it’s 20th anniversary season this year, in June, 2008, University of Phoenix proudly sponsored “The Most VYTal Event of the Season 2008”. The event signifies the start of the theatre’s 20th season, with a special performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Phoenix’s Herberger Theater Center. The 20th season includes performances of Aida, Treasure Island, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Seussical the Musical, and more.

Founded in 1989, the Valley Youth Theatre has been making a positive impact in children’s lives one child at a time. The Valley Youth Theatre provides education and outreach programs for nearly 5,000 disadvantaged and at-risk young people each season. The University of Phoenix is a proud sponsor of the Valley Youth Theatre’s 20th anniversary season, which promises to be one that inspires, captivates, and educates audiences throughout the year.

Atlanta Campus Fights Breast Cancer

The Atlanta, Georgia campus of the University of Phoenix is doing their part to join the fight against breast cancer. The campus sold tickets to their June 29, 2008 commencement ceremony to generate a donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. The foundation strives to be the voice of the global breast cancer movement through being the world’s largest network of breast cancer survivors and activists. The Atlanta campus raised $15,000 through the ticket sales to donate to the foundation in the hopes of assisting in the battle against breast cancer. It is ideas and events like these that make a difference and motivate others in the community to come up with creative ways to help others.

Oklahoma Campus Lights the Way

The Oklahoma campuses of the University of Phoenix received a special honor this month when they were nominated as a finalist for the Journal Record’s Beacon Awards. The Beacon Awards recognize businesses and organizations that are “Lighting the Way” in Oklahoma through giving back to the communities that support them. Honorees will be featured in the first annual Beacon Awards magazine and will be recognized at an awards dinner on July 10th in Oklahoma City. The University of Phoenix in Oklahoma is a finalist in the philanthropic impact category, which recognizes organizations that have made significant charitable contributions to groups or individuals in need in the community. The Oklahoma campuses partner with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services for “Open Your Hearts to Newborns in Need,” which collects and distributes infant necessities to needy families across the nation. The program touches the lives of the more than 19,000 babies in Oklahoma alone that do not have life’s basic necessities. The University of Phoenix in Oklahoma inspires campuses nationwide to light the way for those in need in our communities.