VALLEYLIFE

Today, we welcomed Whataburger and fellow nonprofit organizations to the VALLEYLIFE Bistro for a Listen & Learn conversation about how Whataburger can support the community.

We appreciated the chance to share the work happening at VALLEYLIFE, hear from other local organizations, and explore opportunities for volunteering, community events, and future collaboration. We are also grateful for the opportunity to learn a little more about all the ways Whataburger makes an impact within the communities they serve.

Thank you to the Whataburger team for taking the time to listen and learn from the nonprofits serving the Phoenix community. We were glad to provide a space for the conversation!

Turn birdies into big impact for VALLEYLIFE!

When you donate to VALLEYLIFE through the 2027 Waste Management Phoenix Open Birdies for Charity program, every dollar pledged supports our mission. As an added perk, Thunderbirds Charities will also provide a 10% bonus on the total donations collected for VALLEYLIFE, helping your generosity go even further.

Visit the link in the comments, select VALLEYLIFE as your charity, and make your pledge by February 14, 2027.

The minimum donation is $20. Every gift helps empower people with disabilities to live lives filled with independence, dignity, and choice.

Please join us in congratulating Brandi Girardot, Assistant Supervisor at Kussell Group Home, on receiving Tarrytown Expocare’s Outstanding DSP Award!

This special recognition honors Direct Support Professionals who go above and beyond to promote health, safety, independence, dignity, joy, and meaningful connections for the individuals they support.

Brandi has been part of the VALLEYLIFE family for more than a decade, making a lasting difference through her compassion, dedication, and commitment to VALLEYLIFE Members. Last night, Tarrytown Expocare Representative Holly DeRosett and various VALLEYLIFE staff gathered at Kussell Group Home to celebrate Brandi and this well-deserved achievement.

Congratulations, Brandi! We are incredibly proud to have you on the VALLEYLIFE team and grateful for the impact you make every day!

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿, 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁!

Registration and sponsorship opportunities are open for the 35th Annual VALLEYLIFE Golf Tournament on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Palmbrook Golf Club.

Gather your foursome or register as an individual for a fun day of golf, lunch, prizes, and giving back. Every swing helps support programs that empower VALLEYLIFE Members to live with independence, dignity, and choice.

🏌️ Team of four: $1,000
🏌️ Individual golfer: $300
⏰ 7 a.m. shotgun start

Register today on our website (linked in the comments) or call 602.331.2414.

Meet James, Senior Supervisor for DTAs 7 and 8!

With more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities, James brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and enthusiasm to VALLEYLIFE’s Autism focused ASPIRE program.

From encouraging Members to pursue their biggest goals to coaching sports and raising eight children, James is passionate about helping others succeed.

Learn more about James, what inspires his work, and his hopes for the future of ASPIRE. Find the full story at the link in the comments!

We would like to thank the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation for their generous grant assisting us in funding physical therapy for our Members. We are grateful for your support as we continue to provide resources/services to enhance our Members’ quality of life.

A feel good moment worth sharing!

A few weeks ago, the VALLEYLIFE marketing team had the pleasure of visiting the Make-A-Wish Arizona Wish House in Scottsdale. We were moved to learn more about the organization’s history, its incredible impact, and the inspiring story of Chris, the very first wish kid whose experience helped launch a worldwide movement right here in Arizona.

Like Make-A-Wish Arizona, VALLEYLIFE also began in Arizona with the vision of making a lasting positive impact on the lives of others. Bernice Kussell opened her home to children with disabilities, creating a movement that, 79 years later, has grown into an organization providing essential programs and services to people with disabilities throughout the Valley.

A heartfelt thank you to Vicki Fiorelli Starkovich for welcoming our team and sharing the meaningful work happening at Make-A-Wish Arizona. It was an emotional and inspiring visit that reminded us just how much Arizona nonprofits can accomplish when we support one another.

We look forward to exploring opportunities for VALLEYLIFE and Make-A-Wish Arizona to work together and continue making a positive difference throughout the Valley.

The Bernice Kussell Society is back!

VALLEYLIFE recently held the first Bernice Kussell Society event of the year with a “Shaken, Stirred & Safari’d” themed celebration hosted by Marlena Kruger and Mark Petrucciani. The event, put together by VALLEYLIFE’s Director of Fund Development Margaret Stephens-Reed and her team, served as an opportunity to bring the society into a brand-new era! Guests dressed in their best safari attire, enjoyed a catered barbecue meal, connected with fellow Kussell Society Members, and entered a raffle for VIP festival tickets.

Marlena and Mark, along with Betty Buchholz Pecha and her husband Bill, also brought the theme to life by sharing photos and stories from their travels to Africa.

Read the full recap and see highlights from this memorable evening on our blog. (First comment)

Winnie stole the show!

Yesterday, VALLEYLIFE and Pawsitive Friendships joined Your Life Arizona on azfamily 3TV CBS 5 to share how our partnership is bringing comfort, connection, confidence, and plenty of smiles to VALLEYLIFE Members.

Winnie is just one of the many amazing therapy dogs who help make these meaningful moments possible. Through play, companionship, and lots of tail wags, these visits give Members fun opportunities to connect, communicate, and build social skills.

A huge thank you to Pawsitive Friendships, Winnie, and AZ Family for helping us share this pawsitively wonderful partnership with the community!