Denise McClain, CPA, (center) and her family participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in honor of her mother who passed away from breast cancer. “Before my mother passed away, she used to do the walk with us (even when we had to push her in her wheelchair) and she loved seeing the 30,000+ people all come together to help find a cure,” says McClain. “I am currently a member of the board of directors (and the immediate past president) for the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and I have been blessed because of the generous donations of my family and friends to have been the top individual fundraiser several years in a row.
The staff members of Morrison & Associates give back to the community in a variety of ways. One of their favorites is their annual participation in Octoberfest that benefits Tempe Sister Cities. “We enthusiastically volunteer in the ‘Beers of the World’ tent. Who says you can’t have fun while supporting a great cause!” In November, their staff outing was to lend a hand in the Feed My Starving Children food packing event. “Our 30+ hours donated helped fill the hungry bellies of little ones around the globe and left us feeling emotionally fulfilled as well.”
Gary Freed, CPA, (pictured here with his wife) recently participated in the Walk-N-Roll for Spina Bifida.
The staff at Monica J. Stern, CPA, PLLC, filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. They filled 79 boxes with toys, candy and toiletries for children all over the world. The firm also collected food for the St. Mary's/Westside Food Bank, coming in second in the Hill of Beans Food Drive, donating enough food to provide 2,566 meals. They volunteer with the United Way by helping with financial statements and 990 forms. They also collected and filled 52 backpacks for the Salvation Army to help children with back to school needs.
Dale Walters, CPA, from Keats, Connelly & Assoc. "practiced" being a salesman at Best Buy before he worked with children from Junior Achievement. The firm also put together care packages for the troops this year.
The staff of the Arizona Society of CPAs recently volunteered at Andre House, helping to provide more than 580 meals in one evening to those in need.
Member Brent Yee, CPA, and his two children were also helping out at Andre House.
Price Kong & Co., CPAs, has been a community partner of Montecito Community School since 1988, participating in programs such the first grade Christmas Party and support of the five intramural after-school sports programs through their annual Price Kong charity golf tournament. In addition, the firm recently completed their annual “Stuff the Box” Montecito Community School Supply Drive. Spear-headed the last two years by Jared Enders, senior accountant, the drive has collected significant amounts of school supplies.
The three top service awards given out at the annual installation dinner of the Kiwanis Club were presented to all CPAs this year! Elizabeth Lunseth, CPA, Sharon Erickson, CPA, and Jeannette Arthur, CPA, with their awards.
Grant Thornton partner Stella Shanovich, CPA, at the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Phoenix “Wish House"
Grant Thornton's Mariah Raventon, Kristan Malkiewicz, CPA, and Kasey McCoy playing "Guess the Poo" when the firm hosted an office “baby shower” for Maggie’s Place.
Doug Rohe CPA (pictured here with wife Vicki) in Tucson raises money for poor public schools. He sends out a letter to his clients that normally do not do the $200-$400 Arizona public school tax credit, asking them to write a check. In 2008 he raised $35,000 for the Tombstone Unified School District. He just sent out the 2009 letter and has already collected $18,400. “Fellow CPAs, pick out a poor school in your area, send a letter to select clients, it is a great cause.” - Doug Rohe
The Phoenix office of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, made a difference at three different events during “IMPACT Day” in June. More than 120 Deloitte volunteers worked the assembly line at St. Mary’s Food Bank and the office had two skills-based volunteer events. The first of was a roundtable for the executive directors of non-profit organizations entitled, “Managing through Difficult Times. The second skill-based event was held at the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), and involved working with homeless individuals in the Career Services Center to teach professional skills for job searching, interviewing, resume development, behavior, and dress.
