Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers appointed Aaron Peace as vice president of philanthropy and president of Dignity Health Foundation East Valley.

The automobiles are usually the stars at the Barrett-Jackson World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction. But lately, some other stars have been shining more brightly.

CINCINNATI - Greg Allgood’s job at Procter & Gamble Co. has taken him to remote, diseaseplagued villages in Kenya, into some of the Western Hemisphere’s poorest slums in Haiti, across rebel-ridden territory in Uganda and to tsunami-devastated Sri Lanka and earthquake-ravaged Pakistan.

Zaharis Elementary's Lemonade Club presented $414 to Academy Award winner, author and musician Jeff Bridges, international spokesperson for Share Our Strength: No Kid Hungry, last week. Principal Mike Oliver shared this story:

Zaharis Elementary's Lemonade Club presented $414 to Academy Award winner, author and musician Jeff Bridges, international spokesperson for Share Our Strength: No Kid Hungry, last week. Principal Mike Oliver shared this story:

Too many who move to Arizona unfortunately don’t pack their philanthropy into the van along with their furniture, supporting the arts and charities in their former cities to the detriment of local ones.

The City of Mesa is celebrating Global Youth Service Day by hosting an athletic shoe drive for kids 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27 at Mountain View High School.

Valley of the Sun United Way and Mesa United Way will join together this week for the fifth Project Connect event held in the City of Mesa since 2009. It is an effort to prevent and end homelessness in the community.

For Our City-Gilbert is looking for volunteers to help us complete various projects around the Town on Saturday, April 13.

On Good Friday, Feed My Starving Children invites church groups and families to pack meals funded by their own donations to feed the poor.

“Spirit of Philanthropy” was the theme throughout Tuesday’s West Valley Women luncheon. The networking group, which meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Skye restaurant in Peoria, was treated to two presentations which highlighted local projects.

A local branch of BERNINA of America will host its fourth-annual Quilter’s Garage Sale on June 22 to raise money for the American Red Cross.

Mesa businesses are invited to become partners with Mesa United Way with its “Make it Mesa: Unite Against Hunger” campaign. Businesses are being asked to offer special promotions to customers and contribute a portion of the proceeds to the initiative.

Gilbert’s Friends for Life Animal Rescue will host its annual fundraising dinner and silent auction March 2 at The Buttes resort in Tempe.

With the number of water-related fatalities up this year compared with the past two summers, parents and children can learn safety tips this Sunday, July 15 at Mesa Golfland Sunsplash. As part of the annual Fulton Homes 2 Seconds is Too Long Water Safety Campaign, experts from the American Red Cross will share safety information.

The phrase “Christmas in July” often signals a sale.

Celebrate your pre-July 4 freedom as a volunteer for Arizona’s “coolest independence festival.”

Mesa has made it easier for volunteers to search for openings with the city based on their interests. The city’s website now allows visitors to search for openings based on areas of interest, length of time commitment, number of volunteers and more. Previously, residents had to wade through many Web pages and contact several staff members. Now, volunteers can sign up for specific opportunities and their information will go out to appropriate coordinators. Also, volunteers can share information with friends and family by using links to email and social media.

At its first meeting of the new year Tuesday, the West Valley Women group introduced its 2011 leadership. Linda Cavanaugh of Cavanaugh Realty will serve as the group’s director and Jeannie Drobina, Nicole Black and Patricia Leupp will be ambassadors. The networking group meets monthly at Skye restaurant, 16844 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive, Peoria.