Child Crisis Arizona’s ‘Downtown Soul’ grooves its way to $400,000 for charity

By Tyler Butler
Child Crisis Arizona Gala — hosted by friends of Child Crisis Arizona —  had a Downtown Soul theme and let patrons get their groove on during the February 11 event.
This cocktail event featured live Motown-themed music and cool disco décor and allowed guests to gamble for a good cause. The live auction featured, among other things, a 2017 Cadillac XTS and a private party for 40 hosted by Barrio Café Gran Reserva chef Silvana Salcido Esparza.  The organization celebrated its 37th anniversary of providing children a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong and successful families.
More than 450 guests, many dressed in time-period fashion, helped raise more than $400,000 for Child Crisis Arizona which runs the only licensed emergency shelter program for children from birth to age 8 in Maricopa County. The agency also licenses foster families and certifies adoptive families, operates Early Head Start and preschool programs, coordinates home visitation services and runs family classes and workshops.