September 3, 2025
Wish Fulfilled
The Hope House of Sedona families needed help staying cool and hydrated this summer, and the community answered the call. With a request for new or gently used water bottles, local neighbors stepped up with generous donations. The Hope House of Sedona extends heartfelt thanks to neighbors for their generous donations. The contributions arrived just in time for the summer heat, ensuring that every mom and child at the shelter has a sturdy bottle for school, camp, and appointments.
Volunteers & Participants
Steps to Recovery Homes is bringing back “Erase the Stigma” an educational awareness day on mental health and addiction. The event invites local organizations, businesses, and community groups to get involved by setting up informational booths to share resources and services, or by sponsoring the event to help expand its reach and impact. The goal is to break stigma, spread hope, and connect individuals with the support they need. Attendees can look forward to free food, inspirational and educational speakers, resource booths, valuable networking opportunities, and a welcoming atmosphere. The event will take place on Saturday, November 8 at the Connection Room, located at 637 N Main St, Suite 2B, Cottonwood. Contact Damian Browning at wellness@stepstorecoveryhomes.org. Recovery is possible, and this event aims to make a lasting difference in the community.
The Humane Society of Sedona Announces “Get Your Licks on Route 66”. For the 17th year, FIDO Friendly Magazine is bringing its national pet adoption tour to benefit the Humane Society of Sedona! Join them for a fun-filled day where attendees can make a donation to spin the prize wheel and win great items—all proceeds from the event will go directly to the Humane Society of Sedona. Save Thursday, September 4 to stop by PetSmart in West Sedona to spin the wheel and maybe even make a new best friend. For more information, contact Sarah Porter at sporter@humanesocietyofsedona.org or call 282-4679.
Steps to Recovery Homes is kicking off a holiday toy drive to benefit children at the 71st annual Cottonwood Christmas Parade. The goal this year is ambitious—collecting 10,000 toys to ensure every boy and girl receives a gift during this cherished community event. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are now being accepted at 637 N Main St, Suite 1F, Cottonwood. Community members, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to contribute and help spread holiday cheer to local families. For more information or to coordinate large donations, please contact Amanda Beasley at Amanda@stepstorecoveryhomes.org or 928-592-7415.
The American Red Cross – Northern Arizona Chapter is currently seeking volunteers in Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek to serve as blood donor ambassadors at local blood drives. Volunteers will be responsible for greeting donors and assisting with the registration process. Training and Red Cross t-shirts will be provided. The role requires a commitment of approximately 5.5 hours per month. Those interested in volunteering can contact Janet Dubiel at janet.dubiel@redcross.org for more information.
Goods & Services
Sedona Tools Empowering People (STEP) Tool Library continues its mission to provide useful tools for home improvement, seasonal projects, and everyday tasks. The organization is currently seeking to add a steam cleaner for tile floors to its inventory and encourages community members with a gently used steam cleaner to consider donating. With the harvest season approaching, STEP also reminds patrons of several seasonal tools available for loan, including a canning pot, apple peeler, electric knife sharpener, and tamale pot—perfect for fall cooking and food preservation. Tool donations in good condition are gratefully accepted during open hours on Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Through continued community support, STEP is helping empower individuals and families—one tool at a time. For more information, contact Peggy Chaikin at steptoollibrary@gmail.com.
Sedona Community Food Bank delivers 400 before-and-after-school snacks each week to four area schools during the academic year, along with 80 weekend food packs for children at two schools who may not have access to adequate nutrition on weekends. To continue this mission, the Sedona Community Food Bank is requesting donations of 100% fruit juice boxes, granola bars, individually wrapped peanut butter and cracker snacks, individual fruit or applesauce cups with no added sugar, and other healthy, individually wrapped snacks free of added sugars. Sugary, low-nutrition snacks are not accepted. Donations can be delivered to 30 Inspirational Drive, Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and noon. Contact Cathleen Healy-Baiza at 204-2808 or go to https://a.co/amytRuD to see their wish list of items.
Steps to Recovery Homes and NAMI Yavapai recognize that arts and crafts can be a powerful outlet for healing, self-expression, and stress relief. Together they are launching a monthly arts and crafts program for adults with lived experience in mental health or substance abuse, as well as their family members. To ensure no one is limited from joining due to lack of supplies, NAMI and Steps to Recovery Homes are asking the community for colored pencils, markers, paint, brushes, canvases, construction paper, sketch paper, scissors, tape, and other general art supplies. Every contribution helps, and as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), donation receipts can be provided. For questions, contact Quinton Ellis at quinton@stepstorecoveryhomes.org.
The Humane Society of Sedona is asking the community for help with a fexw essentials to keep operations running smoothly and tails wagging. At the top of the list is clay cat litter, followed by wet and dry kitten food and dry adult cat food to nourish felines of all ages. Paper towels are also in constant demand to maintain clean, safe spaces. The team is also requesting event balloons to brighten up adoption events and community outreach efforts. Donations can be shipped or dropped off at 2115 Shelby Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336. For more information, contact Antonio Lopez at alopez@humanesocietyofsedona.org.
Funding
The Humane Society of Sedona is inviting community members to make a meaningful impact through its Kennel Sponsorship Program. By sponsoring a kennel, individuals can help provide essential care, food, and medical attention to the shelter’s dogs and cats awaiting adoption. Each sponsorship includes a personalized plaque displayed on the kennel, which can also be used to honor or memorialize a beloved pet. This program offers a heartfelt way to support animal welfare and give homeless animals the love and care they deserve. To get more information, contact Brenda Redel bredel@humanesocietyofsedona.org or visit humanesocietyofsedona.org/give/kennel-sponsorship-program/.