Improving lives by mobilizing communities to create lasting changes in community conditions.
When the cold winds blow this holiday season, summon up summer sand and fun by enjoying this gingerbread house with a twist.
The beach scene comes from the creative talents of Vanessa Ronspiesis, Little America’s Pastry Chef. Vanessa says she was inspired by a “summer Santa” shopping bag that pictured Old Saint Nick enjoying the off-season. Here he stands on the shore in front of his beach home, watching the candy sea creatures play in the surf.
Santa’s beach house is 100% edible and took more than 52 cups of powdered sugar, 41 cups of flour, 35 egg whites and 51 pounds of candy to complete. It took Vanessa, who has worked at Little America for the past five years, 33.5 hours to build over eight weeks.
A winner will be randomly drawn on 12/13/2021.
Tickets can be purchased for $5 each, 6 for $25, 12 for $50, 24 for $100 and 48 for $200.
About the baker:
-Vanessa Ronspies originally went to school for Culinary Management when she found her passion for baking while working at the Waldorf Astoria, Park City UT. She has spent the past 15 years baking, including the past 5 years with the Little America. Vanessa loves working with food and color, and most of all making people happy!
Crisis Response Fund
When our community faces pandemics, wildfires, floods or other emergencies, the United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) marshals the volunteers and financial support needed to Step Up and meet the challenge to help those most in need. Supporting community members in Coconino, Navajo and Apache Counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fundraising is only a small portion of the impact that United Way of Northern Arizona
brings to our community. We monitor community needs and focus on the long-term
collective impact by working together with other stakeholders and service providers in
some of the following ways:
Early Childhood Development
Kindergarten Readiness
Early Childhood Literacy
Positive Youth Development
Social/Emotional Wellbeing
Positive, Supportive Relationships
Youth Leadership Development
Safety and Security
Safe Shelter
Food Security
Childcare
Transportation
Medication Assistance
General Support for Basic Needs
United Way of Northern Arizona is a local, non-profit organization, governed by a group of dedicated volunteer community members.
100% of your donation will stay here in Northern Arizona, supporting United Way’s work in community-wide efforts to build healthier communities and address our region’s most pressing challenges. Our programs include:
A group of dedicated volunteers ranging from community volunteers to business leaders carefully monitor community needs, meet with local health and human agencies, review each partner’s request for program funding and invests your contribution in programs that improve the most lives.
- Step Up for Youth
- Safety and Security
A group of dedicated volunteers ranging from community volunteers to business leaders carefully monitor community needs, meet with local health and human agencies, review each partner’s request for program funding and invests your contribution in programs that improve the most lives.
Together, we will make a greater impact on creating an educated and thriving community – a community that ensures lasting change. Through collaboration we will combine resources and leverage our talents to drive broader social and systemic change in our community.
Our dedicated Community Investment Fund volunteers are recruited through our list of donors, campaign volunteers, and corporate and community leaders. They carefully monitor community needs, meet with local health and human services agencies, review each partner’s request for program funding and invest your donation in programs that will impact and improve the greatest number of lives. Final decisions on the Community Investment Fund is made by the UWNA Board of Directors
Yes, United Way of Northern Arizona is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and as such your donation is 100% tax deductible. Our tax ID is 86-0211666. This includes donations to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit/Working Poor.
Because your charitable donations come out of your after-tax earnings, you may deduct the total amount deducted from your payroll checks during the year on the “Gifts to Charity” line of your Schedule A if you choose to itemize instead of claiming the standard deduction. If your employer matches your payroll donation, you cannot deduct any of the matched donation — only your employer can deduct that portion of the charitable gift.
United Way of Northern Arizona prides itself on being a trustworthy and accountable organization. A volunteer committee of financial experts meets year-round, monitoring the organization’s financial position. We maintain high standards of operation and are reviewed each year by an independent auditor, who verifies that our financial statements fairly present the financial position of United Way of Northern Arizona.
89% of all funds raised is returned to the areas of greatest need in our community.
United Way of Northern Arizona is only able to accept certain kinds of personal and real property gifts. Please see our Gift Acceptance Policy for more information.
One of the most satisfying and productive ways to unite our community is through volunteerism. We thank you for your interest in volunteering for our community. Please click here to learn how to volunteer your time and talent.
Step Up For Our Youth
Investing in the Power and Potential of Successful, Resilient Youth. Click on the button below to learn about the latest initiative from the United Way of Northern Arizona focused on Flagstaff’s youth.
Local programs we partner with increase
our funding by 82 cents on the dollar!
More than 45,000 books
have been given to our children
As many as 87,000 mentoring hours
have been provided to youth.
Take Action Today and Make a Difference
Your donation is a direct investment in the community’s youth.
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