Sedona News – After smashing their “Giving Tuesday” goals this past holiday season, Verde Valley Sanctuary leadership took a few moments to thank the community, and all of those who participated in the fundraiser.
“Once again, the supporters of Verde Valley Sanctuary and its mission prove their commitment and steadfastness,” said Executive Director Jessye Johnson, who joined the agency in 2022.
VVS launched the campaign in November 2024 with a goal of 31 gifts for $15,000 in honor their 31 years of service to the Verde Valley community, but after all online donations were submitted and checks were received in the mail, a total of 100 gifts for $73,014 was the final tally.
“I am humbled by the response to our call for participation in our first giving Tuesday. We truly have the best donors,” Johnson said.
VVS’ mission, which is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, began in 1993 and now offers a 32-bed pet-friendly emergency shelter, transitional housing, lay legal advocacy, community outreach and more.
“Our mission is so important, and the ‘Giving Tuesday’ result, along with the outpouring of support the community has given us in our history, proves that,” Development and Communications Director Brian Bergner said.
Bergner added that local community members will have other ways to donate in 2025 if they missed out on “Giving Tuesday.” Announced on Feb. 3, the agency is hosting a Twice Nice Spring Thrifty event at its Thriftique in Sedona from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29. The event encourages supporters to stop by the store, and for every three items donated, they’ll receive a raffle ticket, which they can enter into a drawing for a prize.
“For those interested in tax credit, you can donate up until April 15 and it still counts toward your state tax liability in 2024,” Bergner said. “We are also planning a Casino Night at Sedona Golf Resort on November 1 this year. Stay tuned for more information on that one, it’s going to be a blast!”
For more information on tax credit, click here.
For more information on the Twice Nice Spring Thrifty, click here.
Those interested in finding out more about VVS can call Bergner at 928-821-9409, or email him at brian@verdevalleysanctuary.org.
About
Verde Valley Sanctuary’s mission is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The agency began in 1994 as a grassroots organization with a leased modular home that slept six and has grown into a 32-bed emergency shelter with transitional housing options, a lay legal advocacy center, community-based advocacy support, a 24/7/365 crisis hotline (928-634-2511) and a staff that takes pride in its youth violence prevention education and public outreach and awareness. VVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and qualifying charitable organization for the Arizona Tax Credit. Federal Tax ID: #86-071314; QCO Code: #20041. Visit VerdeValleySanctuary.org for more information.