Operation Santa Provides Holiday Shopping Spree for 40 Valley Youth with a Deployed Parent
Fiesta Bowl Charities Partners with Fighter Country Foundation and Dick’s Sporting Goods to Deliver Holiday Cheer to Military Families
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Dec. 7, 2023) – As part of the spirit of the holidays, Fiesta Bowl Charities teamed up with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Fighter Country Foundation for its seventh annual Operation Santa to provide holiday cheer and miracles with a shopping spree for 40 Valley children from Luke Air Force Base with an active, deployed parent.
Through Fighter Country Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on programs and services at Luke Air Force Base to support and honor Airmen and their families, the children received a $300 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card to spend at the Arrowhead Towne Center location in Glendale. Fiesta Bowl volunteers were paired with the children to assist them in their shopping spree, in addition to dinner provided by Rudy’s BBQ and an Operation Santa t-shirt.
“Every year we are so honored to bring holiday joy to children and their families who make the ultimate sacrifice to our country, especially during this special season,” said Kristina Chumpol, Chief of Staff and Vice President of Community Investment at Fiesta Bowl. “Whether at home or overseas, it’s important to us to support military members and their families and we are able to do so in partnership with Fighter Country Foundation and Dick’s Sporting Goods. This Operation Santa mission to spread cheer and joy is absolutely priceless.”
Since 2006, Fighter Country Foundation is the leading support and advocacy group for the Luke Air Force Base community and in the Valley of the Sun. Partnering with Fighter Country Foundation allows Fiesta Bowl Charities to move its mission of supporting Arizona’s youth forward.
“For years FCF has partnered with Fiesta Bowl Charities and Dick’s Sporting Goods to bring this amazing program to our military families at Luke AFB. These families are receiving an incredible shopping spree as we approach Christmas while many of them are going through challenging times with a parent who is currently deployed or on remote assignment. The Operation Santa program provides a much-needed positive experience for these deserving families,” said Ron Sites, President and CEO at Fighter Country Foundation. “The smiles and enjoyment you see on everyone’s faces clearly displays why this is one of FCF’s favorite programs to partner with our friends at the Fiesta Bowl. Then when you see Senior Leadership from Luke attend and join in the fun, it becomes so humbling and rewarding to be a part of.”
“This is truly one of my favorite events of the year, to be able to be a part of a special night to thank the brave men and women who serve our country around the holidays is so meaningful to us. We are so grateful for the partnership we have developed over the years with Fiesta Bowl Charities and Fighter Country and can’t thank both of these organizations for their dedication and support of our local military families,” said Ryan Polosky, Senior Community Marketing Manager at Dick’s Sporting Goods. “We are so excited to host these great kids and families for Operation Santa and truly wish them all a very happy holiday”.
About Fiesta Bowl Organization
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.
About Fighter Country Foundation
Business and community leaders in Maricopa County founded Fighter Country Partnership (1993) and Fighter Country Foundation (2006) to support the Men, Women, Families and Mission of Luke Air Force Base. We believe that quality of life for the Luke community is vital to the success of Luke’s ongoing mission. In addition to community advocacy, Fighter Country supports the base community through programs in Morale and Well-Being, Culture and Tradition, and Mission Sustainability. Fighter Country Foundation played a pivotal role in the effort to retain Luke Air Force Base during difficult economic times. Fighter Country is certainly one of, if not the most successful military base community support organization in the United States.
