AZ Hustlers: Karie Johnson
Karie Johnson is the owner of Barre3 Scottsdale PV. We’ve been fortunate to have worked with Barre3 in the past and they are always so supportive of our efforts to help families around the valley. Get to know a little bit about Karie!
Karie Johnson is the owner of Barre3 Scottsdale PV. We’ve been fortunate to have worked with Barre3 in the past and they are always so supportive of our efforts to help families around the valley. Get to know a little bit about Karie!
Name: Karie Johnson
Instagram Handle: @barre3scottsdalepv
Title/Profession: Owner of Barre3 Scottsdale PV
What city do you live in!
Paradise Valley
How do you know PFF?
Through the amazing founder, Meghan!
What makes PFF special?
They continually give back to families in need and make a huge impact!
What is something on your bucket list?
To go to the Amalfi Coast.
What was your first job?
Life guard
What/who inspires you?
Mother Teresa
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise
What is a motto you live by?
You can do hard things.
What does a normal day look like for you?
Early morning routine of meditation, bible study, prayers and journaling before my kiddos wake up, get the kiddos off to school, work on or at barre3, always dinner with the family, relaxing evening at home.
What is one thing you can not live without?
Coffee!
One thing you think every one needs to try?
Barre3! Some people are intimidated by the barre or that it is either too hard or not hard enough. It is honestly just right because you make it your own! It is so empowering and really helps to balance the body from the inside out!
AZ Hustlers: Kayla Iten
Kayla Iten is the CEO of All About Nannies, PFF’s newest partner, and our AZ Hustler of the month. All About Nannies, is an easy and quick way to find reliable nannies in Arizona. Having reliable childcare is so important and we know how difficult it can be to find it, which is why we love what Kayla is doing! Get to know more about Kayla!
PFF AZ Hustler: Kayla Iten, CEO of All About Nannies.
Kayla Iten is the CEO of All About Nannies, PFF’s newest partner, and our AZ Hustler of the month. All About Nannies, is an easy and quick way to find reliable nannies in Arizona. Having reliable childcare is so important and we know how difficult it can be to find it, which is why we love what Kayla is doing! Learn more about Kayla and how she came to find PFF!
Name: Kayla Iten
Title/Profession: CEO of All About Nannies
What city do you live in!
Phoenix
How do you know PFF?
Through networking and our partnership donating a portion of each placement fee to PFF!
What makes PFF special?
I was so inspired by the foundations desire to help local families in tangible, creative and useful ways!
If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why?
I haven't been yet, but can't wait to go!
What is something on your bucket list?
To start a family of my own. I can't wait to use my 20 years childcare experience on my own children someday!
What was your first job?
My very first job was working in a daycare at a local YMCA in the infant room and I loved it!
What/who inspires you?
My family! My parents worked tirelessly to provide for us growing up and gave us an amazing life and taught us to value hard work, relationships and are still some of my favorite people after all these years
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise
What is a motto you live by?
”One person can make a world of difference”
What does a normal day look like for you?
Busy! I am generally up and make the commute down the hallway to my office at about 6:30 after getting the furry office assistants their breakfast. The first thing I always do is organize and tackle my never ending daily to do!
What is one thing you can not live without?
My Husband, my family, and my phone!
One thing you think every one needs to try?
Traveling and allowing yourself to be unplugged for a while.
*If you’re in the need for a nanny, visit the All About Nannies website here.
AZ Hustlers: Brittany Yeaton
PFF Board member, Brittany Yeaton has been a supporter from the very beginning! Learn more about how she knows PFF plus a few fun facts about herself!
PFF AZ Hustler Brittany Yeaton (On right), alongside founder and CEO, Meghan Alfonso.
PFF Board member, Brittany Yeaton has been a supporter from the very beginning! Learn more about how she knows PFF plus a few fun facts about herself!
Name: Brittany Yeaton
Title/Profession: Internal Sale Associate/Brighthouse Financial
What city do you live in?
Scottsdale
How do you know PFF?
I have know Meghan since middle school and found out she was starting PFF and was very excited. I immediately started helping and volunteering at as many events as possible.
What makes PFF special?
PFF is special in so many ways. A foundation that is able to help families with children suffering is so incredible. I feel that people forgot the life still have to go on when a family is going through this difficult time so being able to help with bill or home repairs or whatever it my be is so amazing.
If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why?
My favorite event is definitely Clays for a Cause. I look forward to it every year! Rain or Shine
What is something on your bucket list?
To travel more! Sky Dive, African Safari so many things!
What was your first job?
Nanny
What/who inspires you?
Meghan! She is such an amazing person with an even more amazing heart.
Coffee or tea?
Tea
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise
What is a motto you live by?
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a different battle
What does a normal day look like for you?
Work, gym, family and Friends
What is one thing you can not live without?
Family
One thing you think every one needs to try?
Giving back in any way they can
Backyard Burlesque: Attend our virtual event!
Like many during this time, we’ve had to pivot our original plans for spring, which ultimately lead to us postponing multiple events. Which is why we’ve created a virtual event! Join us for an evening of dancing and fun, all for a good cause!
COVID-19 can’t stop us from helping Arizona families. Due to the outbreak, we’ve had 4 events cancelled or postponed, so we started brainstorming ways that we can bring in funds to continue to be able to assist local families during this tough time. That’s why we’ve created our first-ever virtual event: Backyard Burlesque!
Join us on May 2nd for an evening of dancing for a good cause! Our friend, Eli Medina, from The Sparkle Bar in Old Town Scottsdale is going to teach us a fun dance number via Zoom – don’t worry, nothing risqué! So we can shake and shimmy for a good cause, all while maintain social distancing from the comfort of our own homes!
Plus, we’re also hosting a raffle with a lot of great prizes! Such as:
2 one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from Spencer’s Design Studio
A Barre3 fitness class package
A full spa package from Scottsdale-based studio Rvyve
A date night package that includes dinner for 4 from Maple & Ash
and more…
We can’t wait to have some fun, take our minds off of the pandemic, and support the foundation with you! If you can’t “make it” Saturday, no worries, you can still purchase raffle tickets and be entered to win our amazing prizes!
AZ Hustlers: Jeff Vance
AZ Hustler, Jeff Vance, has been a PFF supporter for a few years and we can’t express how grateful we are that he and his family are apart of our Angel community!
AZ Hustler, Jeff Vance, has been a PFF supporter for a few years and we can’t express how grateful we are that he and his family are apart of our Angel community!
Name: Jeff Vance
Title/Profession: SVP of Operations at Sunstate Equipment Co.
What city do you live in?
Scottsdale
How do you know PFF?
Our company donated to PFF a few years ago and I fell in love with the cause.
What makes PFF special?
PFF is willing to help families where other organizations might not. How cool is it to help take the burden off a family like a car or electricity payment when they are caring for an ill child.
If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why?
Clay Shoot. I'm an outdoorsman and it is a unique opportunity to do something I enjoy while giving to a charity and meeting like minded individuals.
What is something on your bucket list?
To out bid Art Pearce at the next live auction. Just kidding, I've been all over Europe, next on the list is Athens Greece.
What was your first job?
Pulling skeet at a skeet range.
What/who inspires you?
Genuine folks like Meghan who look out for others well being.
Coffee or tea?
Tea
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise
What is a motto you live by?
Be kind and give back as much as possible.
What does a normal day look like for you?
I am involved in a lot of meetings with my peer group.
What is one thing you can not live without?
My family
One thing you think every one needs to try?
Donating in some way. It doesn't necessarily cost anything. Give someone a hand up.
5 Years Down...
Since then, we have hosted over 50 events and we have created three programs under the Pearce Family Foundation umbrella.
5 years down…
Imagine being 29, you just left a job you thought you would be at forever, two weeks before you moved into a new apartment, and now you have no source of income. YEP, that was me. I was beyond stressed and embarrassed that I was jobless with no plans on what to do next.
Thank god my now husband put the idea into my head that I should start my own nonprofit and use my families name who brought us success for many years to back the nonprofit. Being beyond scared to ask my family to believe in me and let me run with it was the first hurdle to get over. Then I hired a life coach who reminded me I had the confidence I would need to start a nonprofit.
After numerous meetings one must go through to start an organization, I eventually did it and it took just 6 months.
Since then, we have hosted over 50 events (remember it has just been me with a few interns and now two part time employees) and we have created three programs under the Pearce Family Foundation umbrella.
I always get asked why I decided to create a nonprofit, and it was because I saw a need that was not being fulfilled. I believe a child gets better faster when they are recovering in their home versus in a shelter or a hospital.
Creating the nonprofit has allowed me to continue my family’s legacy by connecting with businesses and people in a new way. The nonprofit has also reconnected me to friends I went to school with who we may have not crossed paths with again unless I was in this position.
PFF has been a blessing to me I have been able to help as many families as I can have a safe and stable living environment. I pray we continue to grow and receive the generous donations we have to keep us around. I am excited to see where the next 5 years will take us. But we have already found our forever home off 90th and Bell and have three amazing events we host every year.
If you want to build something on your own- do it. It will be scary as F**k but why not…if you don’t you will always wonder what if.
It Could Be Anyone, Even You
Take a moment to think about a time you had difficulties paying for something that was either a necessity or maybe something you just really liked.
Take a moment to think about a time you had difficulties paying for something that was either a necessity or maybe something you just really liked. Can you remember how you felt when you knew you could not afford it but still needed it? The fear of the credit card not going through or being declined. The embarrassment of being told your card was not approved. OH my gosh it is the worst feeling ever.
I can admit I have felt that way and it is humbling. I have lived paycheck to paycheck and remember hoping to not have my account be in the red. Thankfully I did not have any one else I was responsible for and could live off of soup for a few days.
But imagine having a child. Now imagine that child being sick. Not only sick but with a life threatening illness. Your child is so sick you have to stay at a hospital a few times a month.
Now what do you do?
Life throws us curves balls all the time and a lot of the families we help were not ready or prepared to have to dedicate their paycheck to a hospital or doctor visit. It was not in their budget to pay for their child to have surgery.
I was determined to be able to eliminate that fear and stress a family has when they cannot pay for their rent or utility bill.
Recently we had a mom (Ruth) apply for our grant who was 4 months late on her rent. Her bill was over $5,000! I spoke to her landlord and she confirmed to me that Ruth had never been late in the past and that her and her daughter have been living in her apartment for a few years now. I was able to work out a deal with the landlord and the foundation sent her a $2700 check to help. I know that was not the total amount but that is the most we have EVER helped one family.
Every family leaves an imprint on my heart but for some reason this one hit me differently. I spoke to her on the phone and she was walking me down the path her and her daughter have been on the last few years. She first told me that her daughter was not properly diagnosed and her doctors thought she had a urinary tract infection. They sent her home, and a few days later she went into a seizure. Her daughter has chronic kidney disease. She has been on the verge of death a few times and is fighting for her life. If it wasn’t for the persistence of her mother to fight for her she might not be alive.
So do you leave your child who is in the hospital to go to work? I wouldn’t think so.
I am not a mother yet but I am a “bonus mom” and I believe that when your child is this sick it is a moment of fight or flight. You fight for your family and continue until there is no fight left.
The impression I received from Ruth is that she will do anything for her daughter and will continue to fight for her and her health until she cannot anymore.
I wanted to write this post because it is important to focus on why The Pearce Family Foundation exists. Sure, we love throwing events and fun parties but at the end of the day it is for the families who have nowhere else to turn. We are trying to keep them from living in a shelter or on the streets.
With the money we bring in from events and individual supporters we can make these exceptions sometimes.
Do you think you could spare $5 or $10 a month to be a part of our Angel Club? It is one or two cups of coffee a month, that you won’t miss as much knowing you are helping a mom like Ruth.
If you are ever in this situation or know someone who is, wouldn’t you want to know that there is a place like PFF who can help them?
Think about it, be an angel.
Clays For A Cause... 5 Years Later!
After asking my event coordinator Kourtnie to take a look back at who has attended Clays for a Cause, since event one, I was shocked to find something out. Our first year we had 10 squads (teams). TEN. That was it. And today I am trying to fill 40 spots.
After asking my event coordinator Kourtnie to take a look back at who has attended Clays for a Cause, since event one, I was shocked to find something out. Our first year we had 10 squads (teams). TEN. That was it. And today I am trying to fill 40 spots.
I had one of those ah ha moments where you are like, “Meghan, you have successfully thrown a sporting clay tournament and people enjoy it”. I am going to have to give full credit to the man who came up with this event and it was my amazing husband Sean. When I was trying to think of something other than a golf tournament to hold, Sean immediately chimed in and said I should host a sporting clay tournament. He kindly reminded me my father would be a great resource and that not very many nonprofits (if any at the time) held a sporting clay tournament.
My father, Art Pearce, has been an avid hunter in AZ as well as all over the country and even internationally for as long as I have been alive. He only hunts game, that he can use all of the animal for (the skin and the meat). My father used to take my sister and I bird hunting when we were younger and always taught us the importance of gun safety. While growing up I was never afraid of guns or people carrying them, because the people my father put us around I knew I could trust. Seeing how competitive hunting is and the sport behind it made me respect this type of an event.
After the idea came to host an outdoor sporting clay tournament, I began investigating how to hold one. I immediately went up to Ben Avery Clay Target Center and met with their event coordinator. The team up at the range were very patient with me and helped me figure out how to hold an event for PFF.
Clays For A Cause 2014
Without their help, I know I would not have been able to hold that event because my knowledge of how to host a shotgun tournament was at about a -4 compared to most activates. The terminology was a lesson in itself and the different types of guns and shells was also something I needed to become an expert in.
I am so happy I stuck with it, because to see how we started to where we are now amazes me.
After the success of the first event I went out to Las Vegas for the Shot Show and met with big time shooting companies (Remington, Boyt & Harness, Fiocchi etc) and they were impressed with my drive to bring this type of sport to a nonprofit event.
I have been so lucky with the sponsors, the volunteers and everyone who has helped make this event work. Every year we have grown by at least 8 squads and to some of you that might not seem like a lot, but for an event that is sort of uncommon it is a tremendous growth.
The first two years we gave a portion of the funds to a program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital called, Camp Maska. This was a camp to help children who had a kidney disease get out of town for a few nights and enjoy summer camp. After Angel Pups was born we decided to focus the additional funds to our new initiative, which has allowed us to bring in even more sponsors because hunting and dogs go hand in hand.
Clays For A Cause 2015
Clays For A Cause 2016
From the days we all wore orange vests like construction workers, to the time our outdoor tent blew away in the middle of the night and had to be replaced every year is a memory. Then one of my absolute favorite memories was when we had one of our Angels Around Us families out on the range shooting targets, it is my favorite event we host.
I am not here to talk about gun rights or have the energy to argue about why I am okay with a sporting clay tournament….I am here to tell you if you have ever wanted to try shooting this is the event for you.
A huge thank you to Fred Fleet who is our Goodwill Ambassador this year and who has been nothing but supportive of our event since 2014. Fred is my go to guy for any sporting clay question and I appreciate how he is always willing to go the extra mile to help me fill the squads at the event.
From ten teams to now forty teams, PFF promises to continue this event for many years to come.
Clays for a Cause 2017
If you are coming to the event I promise, it will be a BLAST
Xo,
Meghan
Community Angels - Our Newest Initiative!
Community Angels, is a program that provides the family with physical needs to ensure a safe living environment in both the community and the home.
A peak into the Foundation's newest initiative!
Community Angels, is a program that provides the family with physical needs to ensure a safe living environment in both the community and the home.
When I first started the foundation I had NO idea how many different avenues we would be creating. People said that I shouldn’t call it “Pearce Family Foundation” because it was too broad- or that people would think we are a private nonprofit. I wanted to create something that wasn’t cause specific so that it would be the hub of all the different programs we assist with. And like they say, “trust your gut” and don’t let people talk you out of your dream.
Well, since that summer in 2013 we have created now 3 programs; Angels Around Us, Angel Pups and now (drumroll please) COMMUNITY ANGELS.
I am so excited to announce our brand new program, that helps families we have currently helped from our two grant programs with needs to make their home life better.
Home life meaning; new furniture or fixing a broken back porch, or even donating a new CAR to a family. The plan is to connect our donors with the families we have already helped who have additional needs. The foundation receives messages all the time about how people want to give back items they no longer need but do not know how. We have also been hearing how they want to help but they might not be able to afford to write a check to the foundation. So instead, now they can give their old bed frame or donate a car that is no longer being used to make a difference in a family’s life who has a child suffering from a chronic illness.
I have been blown away (well not really because we have amazing supporters) with the kindness our donors have shown our families again who still are having a tough time. Believe me, it is hard for me to not just go out and buy a new couch or new mattress for a family, which is why I believe our new initiative will help people connect even more to our family’s they have allowed us to pay a bill for.
I want the foundation to not just be a one stop shop for a family and for the families a part of our Angels Around Us or Angel Pups program, I want them to know that we truly care about them. Since the first family we have helped they are not just receiving a water bill payment or their rent paid for, they are becoming part of the family here at PFF.
Some things might need to change as we see what works and what doesn’t, but one thing I know for certain is that we won’t stop trying for these families.
We have already sent a survey out to our families and the most needs are; landscaping, car repair needs, cleaning services, and groceries. If you are a company that would be willing to help our families with a need like this with either the actual item or a donation to help us pay for a cleaning service please click here.