AAA Arizona Keeps its Eye on Philanthropy

Phoenix, Ariz., April 8, 2009.  As AAA Arizona takes on a new era of leadership with new Chief Executive Officer Mike Tully, the not-for-profit auto club is continuing to make charity a priority.

Tully, recently promoted from his position as president of AAA Arizona, also serves as vice chairman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Arizona board, and is also an advocate for several charity organizations including United Way and Habitat for Humanity.

“The current economy is all the more trying for those facing issues ranging from the inability to put food on the table to a grave childhood illness,” said Mike Tully, president and CEO of AAA Arizona. “That’s one reason why at AAA Arizona, giving back is ingrained in our culture.”

The Club is a sponsor of this year’s 13th annual Make-A-Wish Foundation® Wish Ball. The ball will honor celebrity heroes and every day heroes, April 17, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Arizona ‘superheroes,’ Kurt and Brenda Warner, have been named as honorary co-chairs of the event, which will celebrate heroes from sports, politics, education and philanthropic circles.

The goal of this year’s ball is to raise $800,000 to fund more than 100 wishes for children facing serious and grave illnesses. A limited number of tables and seats are still available for individuals or corporations looking to sponsor the event. For more information, visit www.wishaz.org.

AAA employees and their families also recently joined the Make-a-Wish annual Walk for Wishes. And, AAA has continued to grow their donation base for the United Way, which resulted in more than $147,000 in contributions in 2008. AAA also raised 1,000 jars of peanut butter during the holidays to help shed light on a growing need for sustainable protein items at food banks. It’s also an annual tradition to adopt families in order to provide a special holiday season, and to collect toys for other charities. In addition, AAA staff regularly volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and other statewide organizations.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.

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