DES Colleagues Deliver Hope for the Holidays

For weeks leading up to the holiday season, DES colleagues located at the 8800 N. 22nd Avenue in Phoenix have been preparing stockings stuffed with toys, books, toiletries and other items for children. This week, those Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME) colleagues played Santa, delivering 96 full stockings to children at the Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter.

"All children deserve to have a Merry Christmas," said DBME Call Center Supervisor Linda Higginbothan, who spearheaded the effort dubbed "Operation Christmas Stocking."

DBME Supervisor Yolanda Burciaga took the lead in locating a shelter they wanted to serve. After reviewing several locations, Burciaga and her DBME colleagues, picked one right in their zip code, the Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter in Phoenix. 

"We chose this shelter because we wanted to do something for the community close to our office," said Burciaga.

In a true display of holiday spirit, all 130 DBME colleagues in the office participated in initiative.

"Helping children who wouldn't normally have a Christmas is an awesome thing," said DBME Program Service Evaluator Tamarin Wall. "These kids didn't choose to be left out."

The staff at Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter was thrilled with the donation.

"This will mean so much to the children and their families," said Vista Colina's Maria Rodriguez. 

Currently, 88 children and one or both parents are staying at the shelter. The 96 stockings delivered by DBME colleagues ensured none of the children there—and none who may arrive before Christmas—would go without. The stockings were stuffed with age-appropriate gifts from pacifiers and pajamas for the babies, to books, balls and crayons for the younger set and beanies, cologne, gift cards and lip gloss for the teenagers. Gifts will be distributed by Vista Colina staff on Christmas day.

When asked why it was important to organize Operation Christmas Stocking, Higginbothan said, "People come to us [DBME] every day for help. This is our way of going out into the community and giving back to places like Vista Colina."

Founded in 1991, the Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter (part of Central Arizona Shelter Services) allows families with kids under 18 to stay in an apartment-style complex for up to 120 days.  Case managers are assigned to each family and work with them on ways to achieve self-sufficiency, while providing food, hygiene supplies and clothing during their stay. The case workers coordinate with DES to help families apply for services, ranging from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to assistance with child care.

"These services are part of the first step in helping families get back on their feet," said Rodriguez. "We have a constant need for non-perishable food items."

In addition to nutritional assistance, a change of season can also bring a unique set of needs.

"During this time of year we have a need for blankets, sweaters, socks, hats, etc.," said Vista Colina Case Manager Kira Boothe.

Collaboration with community partners like Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter is vital to assuring Arizona families in need receive assistance, not just during the holiday season, but throughout the year.

Higginbothan said they had so much fun filling the stockings, they plan to do it again next year, but will likely pick a different charity to bring cheer to other kids in need.