Dan Heston runs absurdly long distances, but he does it for more than just the burn. For the past five years, Heston has teamed up with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to raise funds against food insecurity in a unique way—he gathers donations for every mile. This year is Heston’s sixth fundraising event for the food bank, and he plans to run 100 kilometers at once – just over 62 miles.

“He’s just our hero,” said Norma Cable, who manages public relations for the food bank. “It’s amazing to watch athletes at work. We’re all captivated by what the body can do.”

“Dan's 100 Hunger Run and Wellness Fair” gives the community an opportunity to join in on Heston’s efforts by taking the challenge to run alongside him during the event, and at the same time, donate money to fight hunger in the local community.  

But, why would someone volunteer to run 100 kilometers in 12 consecutive hours? For Heston, the answer is actually quite simple.

“It’s not as hard to answer as anyone might think,” Heston said. “I enjoy the solitude and the difficult nature of pushing your body beyond what most people can understand. I enjoy getting out there. The worries go away when you’re out there on your own.”

Heston started running marathons in 2009, but his toils took on a new meaning when he added charity to the runs. He first had the idea to run an ultra-marathon and to gather donations per mile as he ran. The first year turned out to be a hit, and he gathered roughly $1,300 from the community. Unprompted, he took the money into the food bank, and a bond immediately formed.

“I saw the sparkle, the genuine happiness in their eyes that someone would do that,” Heston said.

The following year was even more of a success, garnering four times as many funds. Every year’s marathon since the beginning has steadily increased in funds, with last year’s run earning some $22,000. In total, Heston estimates his five years of running have earned the food bank $45,000 to fight food insecurity. They’re hoping to break $20,000 in donations again this year.

“The more awareness we can raise about hunger, the better the community can be,” Heston said.

The community food bank is a nonprofit charity dedicated to getting in-need Arizonans access to healthy food. They estimate 1.6 million Arizonans do not have reliable access to adequate food. In turn, they offer community programs such as after-school snacks, community meals, community garden plots and farmers markets, and education programs.

This year, the hunger run will take place Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mountain View High School track, the smallest track people have been able to run alongside Heston on.

“With the new year, we all challenge ourselves to take better care of our bodies,” Cable said. “He’s a very practical and humble athlete. It really is inspiring to the rest of us, to set the bar that high.”

Of course, the public isn't expected to run the full distance alongside Heston. Anyone can participate in a mile, a lap, or just to cheer the runners on. According to CFBSA, “Dan’s Challenge is about getting on your feet and making a difference.”

For the previous fundraiser, Heston ran the 106-mile route of El Tour de Tucson. This year, on an enclosed track, will be more accessible for the public to join in.

“He cut it down this year from last year,” Cable said. “Now he’s only—only—running for 12 hours.”

For more information, visit communityfoodbank.org

Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona announced that its clients will receive a special meal delivery this Christmas, thanks to a partnership with Tucson Medical Center.

According to a press release issued by Mobile Meals, TMC offered to prepare holiday meals for Mobile Meals’ clients after learning the Salvation Army was not doing so this year. Mobile Meals’ volunteers will deliver meals to clients across Tucson on Christmas day.

“We are very grateful to TMC for their generosity not just this Christmas, but really throughout the year,” said Mobile Meals’ Executive Director Tamara McKinney. “They have been a tremendous partner for Mobile Meals since the program began in 1970, and truly go above and beyond to help the community.”

Mobile Meals’ volunteers deliver nearly 100,000 meals each year to homebound adults throughout Pima County. Learn more at MobileMealsSoAZ.org.

Start your engines because the 11th annual Red Sleigh Toy Run will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 9 a.m.

The run, which thankfully doesn't involve any actual running, will take place at S & S Motorsports and registration is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

At the end of the run, lunch will be served at Lindy’s where winners will be drawn for the 50/50 raffle and other prizes.

The ride costs $25 per rider and $5 per passenger including lunch. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the sled.

For over a decade, the Red Sleigh Toy Run has teamed up with local businesses, school districts, community members and bikers to bring Christmas to Tucson children in their time of need. They are a non-profit 501c3 organization that delivers toys and other essentials to the doors of children and their families on motorcycles. Bike riders of all ages are welcome to join and change a life this holiday season.

One Dec. 15, they will be hosting another Toy Run to the children of Patagonia. Bring an unwrapped toy and the ride is free.

Sponsors include S & S Motorsports, Lindy’s, Saguaro Desert Landscaping LLC., Arizona Awards and Engraving, American Legion, Tucson Rough Riders and Lawler Team NOVA Home Loans.

The gifts collected will be distributed to more than 1,000 children in Tucson. 

The Chronicle of Philanthropy that identifies the top 100 organizations that Americans are most willing to support named the University of Arizona number 92.

UA was among only 41 universities and was the only university in Arizona on the list released Oct. 30.

The Chronicle calculated $215.6 million on cash support, money and stock received as gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations at UA in 2017.

The UA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages UA fundraising, has helped produce more than $3 billion in private funding since it began 60 years ago.

UA is one of 20 public colleges to appear on the list and twenty-one private colleges have made the Chronicle’s list including Harvard at No. 4 and Stanford University and Cornell University in the top 10 as well.

Top 10 for Cash Support:
United Way Worldwide: $3,260,274,867
Salvation Army: $1,467,750,000
ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Hospital: $1,314,189,700
Harvard: $1,283,739,766
Mayo Clinic: $1,140,619,378
Stanford: $1,110,664,853
Boys & Girls Clubs of America: $909,035,450
Compassion International: $819,417,089
Cornell: $743,502,739
Lutheran Services in America: $731,566,533

Data retrieved here.

The University of Arizona and Operation Hat Trick have teamed up to help support wounded service members and veterans.

Operation Hat Trick is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2008 by Dot Sheehan in New Hampshire. It became a national nonprofit organization in 2012. The organization's mission is to help support and create awareness for wounded services members and veterans. The organization raises money by selling Operation Hat Trick merchandise.

A portion of all proceeds go to organizations that meet the standards of OHT. UA is now selling OHT merchandise on campus. According to the press release, proceeds from Arizona OHT stay in Tucson to help support the local military community.

Last Friday, the founder, Dot Sheehan, attended the UA football game for military appreciation night. He donated $3,500 to the Fisher House, a "home away from home" for the loved ones of active duty or veterans receiving care from Tucson VA.

UA has also been nominated for the OHT Excellence in Service Award, which could provide an additional donation between $3,500 and $10,000 in May 2019.

To learn more about OHT, click here.

Palo Verde High Magnet School in the Tucson Unified School District received a total donation of $1,075.23 as part of the tenth annual Fall Voting campaign through the chain restaurant SONIC Drive-In. The donation funded a variety of learning materials to local public classrooms not only in Tucson, but all over the country.

SONIC Drive-In has been a long time supporter of public school teachers through a program called Limeades for Learning. The program completed its 10th annual Fall voting campaign last month with donations given to two TUSD classrooms and one in the Sunnyside Unified School District.

During the Fall Voting campaign, SONIC customers were invited to vote for inspiring teachers' projects at LimeadesForLearning.com. The projects that earned the most votes received part of the sum in SONIC's $1 million donation. Some of the teachers' projects included materials such as books, new seating, Chromebooks, art supplies and robotics kits.

SONIC's donation helped 945 public school teachers across the country reach their classroom goal. Thanks to voters, SONIC was able to fund 1,900 teacher projects, support 945 classrooms and donate to teachers in 285 cities across 37 different states across the U.S.

To view the full list of public schools teachers whose projects were funded, including TUSD's teacher projects, Click here.  And to learn more about SONIC's Limeades for Learning, Click here.

Pima Animal Care Center is offering several adoption promotions in November before the holidays.

The first promotion is on Nov. 9-11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the PetSmart at Oracle and Wetmore, Irvington and at El Con Mall during PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend.

PACC will be waiving adoption fees for pets four months and older. From Nov. 9-12, members of the Military can adopt a pet for free with a valid military ID to celebrate Veterans Day weekend. There will be special hours on Veterans Day, noon-5p.m.

PACC will be closed on Thanksgiving, but open on Black Friday, noon-5 p.m. The “Black Fur Day” discount will take place that day with adoption fees waived for any pets with black fur, ages four months and up.

A $19 licensing fee will apply to dogs and all pets adopted will come spayed and neutered, with a microchip, vaccinations and a free vet visit.  Look for pets online or in person at 4000 N. Silverbell. Road.

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Help bring awareness to liver disease and provide financial support for educational programs and patient services to the millions of Americans battling one of the 100 known liver diseases, on Saturday's Liver Life Walk.

Every walker is provided with sample emails, a personal fundraising page and staff to provide guidance and fundraising (online or through mail) support.

Walkers who raise $100 or more will receive the National Walk Shirt. Walkers who raise $250 or more will receive additional fundraising prizes. The National Silver Sponsor is Salix Pharmaceuticals and the National Partner is CVS Specialty who help by offering product discounts to participants, providing product donations to the event and financial support.

The event features activities for kids, food, entertainment and information about the American Liver Foundation.

More than 10,000 people from across the country come together and raise almost $2 million annually. The event is free, but registration is required either before the event or at the event and there is no fundraising requirement, but walkers are strongly encouraged to raise a minimum of $100.

Form a team of family members, friends or colleagues and walk and fundraise together to make a difference in the fight against liver disease!

Liver Life Walk will take place on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

5 Facts about the American Liver Foundation:

1. Their education programs reached approximately 46,000 people in 2016.
2. They are the leading source of information on liver health and liver disease.
3. Their toll-free National Helpline and 16 divisions across the country provide support to patients, families, caregivers and the public by phone, email and community outreach.
4. Their National Helpline volume doubled in 2016 with nearly 12,000 inquiries.
5. They have provided almost $26 million in research funding to over 840 early career investigators. 

MHC Healthcare and United Blood Services will be hosting their third annual Halloween Vein Drain on Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Not only can you get in the spooky spirit at the Vein Drain by donating blood, they will also be holding a costume contest.

Depending on what your fellow donators come up with, the distractions may take away from the poke of the needle-a perk for those of you who aren't the biggest fans of donating blood. They will also be accepting book donations for the Children's Steele Center.

The blood drive will be hosted on the side of the MHC Healthcare building. On wheels, your veins will be drained at the Bloodmobile. Make sure to dress up and get ready to drain some blood!

For more information and appointments, Click Here.

After relaunching in 2018, The Pathway to Purchase (P2P) program is providing down-payment and closing-cost assistance to prospective homebuyers.

The program is run by the Industrial Development Authorities of the City of Tucson and Pima County. Since relaunching, nearly $25 million in loans have been received. Those funds have provided an average of more than $15,000 in down-payment and closing-cost assistance to new home owners.

The programs achievements were highlighted during a news conference at the office of Mayor Jonathan Rothschild on Friday, Sept. 28. It was announced that the program helped more than 1,000 individuals and families purchase homes in Tucson during the 2016-17 year. 

“The Pathway to Purchase program has helped a lot of Tucsonans to achieve their
dream of home ownership,” Mayor Rothschild said, reported in the press release.

The Tucson Industrial Development Authority (TIDA) is a nonprofit corporation authorized to provide lower-cost financing for qualified projects through the issuance of revenue bonds. TIDA gives loans to small businesses and helps finance community development projects when sources of funding may be unavailable.

“As a Board member of the Tucson IDA, I am proud of the success of the Tucson P2P program and all it has done to help the residents of Tucson,” Neal Eckel said, according to the press release. 

Pathway to Purchase applicants do not have to be first time home buyers. To learn more about P2P click here.