. . . . . . . . . . .    From the Blog…

On the Road Again  Photos from the road - Posted by Gordon   Arizona Helps You Give Back - Get your Working Poor Tax Credit for donating to an eligible charity – Posted by Ashleigh   Celebrating Twenty-one years - See what has changed and what has stayed the same at GCJPR -Posted by Gordon And More…   . . . . . . . . . . .

Events at a Glance   The Fall is always a busy time around the GCJPR offices. It is the time of year when several of our longstanding clients hold their annual fundraising dinners and luncheons. Assisting our clients with event logistics and in turn raising much needed funding, provides for those who are in need.  For photos from these great events visit our blog or like us on Facebook.    . . . . . . . . . . .

Veteran’s Medical Leadership Council 9th Annual  “Heroes One and All” Luncheon   Patriotism abounds at the VMLC’s annual luncheon as it raises funds for programs through the VA Hospital, Wounded Warriors and many other programs that benefit our nation’s veterans.     With the help of emcee, Mike Broomhead, and keynote speaker Ronald Blanck, former Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command, the event was again successful in raising awareness in the community of the rising needs of our veterans and the funding needed to take care of those who have fought for our freedom.   For more information, visit www.arizonavmlc.org.  . . . . . . . . . . .

Gordon Finishes the NYC Marathon! Gordon and his son, Graham, fulfilled a lifelong dream of running in the New York City Marathon this November.   Each year the city holds a lottery to choose which runners will be able to participate. This year, Gordon and Graham were able to bypass the lottery and join the Boomer Esiason Foundation‘s team, which supports research to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that has directly affected the James family. Both father and son were proud to participate in the foundation’s effort and can be seen celebrating finishing the race in the photo above with Graham’s children.    . . . . . . . . . . .

Mallory Joins Team Childhelp for the Toronto Marathon Mallory stands between Jordan Rodriguez (left) and “The Turbaned Tornado,” 100-year-old runner Fauja Singh.

Mallory also ran a race this Fall. She completed her second half marathon as a sight-guide for 17-year-old Jordan Rodriguez. The pair ran with Team Childhelp to raise money for the prevention and treatment of child abuse across the United States.   For more information about Childhelp, please visit www.Childhelp.org or like them on Facebook.  . . . . . . . . . . .

Dear Friends,   From the desert of Arizona, to the snow in Iowa, to the streets our founders walked in Washington, 2011 has been a busy year for GCJPR for which we are thankful.    We value your friendship, your business, and your support and we wish you the best this holiday season.  Our wish for you includes a time of reflection and rest as we bid farewell to this year as well as a prosperous and healthy 2012.   All the best,   Gordon James 602-274-1988  gcjpr.com

Hacienda HealthCare Holding Holiday Drive for Snuggies

Have you ever received a Snuggie as a Holiday White Elephant gift? If you have a Snuggie that you don’t care for, Hacienda HealthCare wants it!   Snuggies, the blankets with arms, are a perfect gift for patients that live at Hacienda’s Intermediate Care Facility and Pediatric Skilled Nursing Facility in South Phoenix. The health care provider is asking residents of the Greater Phoenix area to donate Snuggies for its patients’ use during and after the Holiday season.   The Snuggies will be used by the patients while in the facilities as well as when they participate in Holiday events throughout the Valley. On  a daily basis Hacienda HealthCare touches over 1,000 lives, the health care provider hopes to receive that many Snuggies. Snuggies may be dropped off at the following locations: Hacienda HealthCare’s South Mountain campus, 1402 E. South Mountain Avenue, Phoenix, AZ  85042 between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. Gordon C. James Public Relations, 4715 N. 32nd Street, #104, Phoenix, AZ 85018 between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions about donations or volunteer opportunities contact Kat Connolly at 602-243-4231, extension 126 or email at volunteer@haciendainc.org.   About Hacienda HealthCare:   As Arizona’s leading provider of specialized services for medically fragile and chronically ill infants, children, teens and young adults, Hacienda’s objective is to make its facilities a home away from home whether for a short duration or a long period.   Hacienda HealthCare, through its affiliates, Hacienda, Inc., Los Niños Hospital, Inc., Hacienda Skilled Nursing Facility, Inc. and South Mountain Health Supply, Inc. is the leading provider of specialized services for medically fragile and chronically ill infants, children, teens and young adults in Arizona.  Their patients receive a wide range of services including 24-hour nursing, 24-hour respiratory care, physician services, speech, physical and occupational therapy, education and recreation/socialization.  Hacienda HealthCare also provides training and education to families to assist them in caring for their loved one after the transition is made back to the family home.  In addition, respite care services are provided to give families the opportunity to have their family member cared for in a safe, loving environment while they attend to other important family matters.

Maricopa Health Foundation throws 8th Annual CopaBall

Focusing a “Ray of Light” on the community was the underlying theme of the 8th Annual CopaBall put on by the Maricopa Health Foundation.   Money raised at this year’s dinner was earmarked for new equipment for the Arizona Children’s Center (AZCC) at Maricopa Medical Center, but also to benefit the entire Maricopa Integrated Health System. In highlighting the AZCC, we were pleased to host many past and current patients of the Children’s Center as the dinner highlighted the fantastic work that the doctors and nurses do.

For more information on the Maricopa Health Foundation and its mission, please visit www.mihs.org/foundation.

GRAND OPENING: DOXA and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Open New Facility

In November, GCJPR worked on behalf of DOXA South LLC with U.S. Citizenship and Services(USCIS) to offer a unique behind the scenes look at the local immigration benefits office in Phoenix.   Arizona Secretary of State, Ken Bennett addresses crowd at DOXA/USCIS Ribbon Cutting, Nov. 18, 2011.   This fall marked the beginning of USCIS offering all of its immigration services in its new facility in south Phoenix, operated by DOXA. Outdoor festivities at the ribbon cutting ceremony included music by the Panther band and 4th grade choir of neighboring Silvestre Herrera Elementary and the unveiling of Lady Liberty.  Fabricated from a 6′x20′ one piece aluminum panel, cut with computer driven waterjet locally in Phoenix, she is quite the sight to see.   The local neighborhood is currently undergoing revitalization, supported by the City of Phoenix, and thanks to the new USCIS building, the area expects to see over 72,000 additional people per year. We look forward to seeing the modernization and renewal of this important area in the coming years.

SHEA HOMES: Expanding On- and Off-line

This fall has been full of activity for Shea Homes Arizona which recently announced the opening of Vista Montaña, a new community located in Peoria. Shea’s family division will offer a new luxury product line on these one-acre lots, including customizable add-ons such as RV garages and pool cabanas. Be sure to visit www.SheaHomes.com after the New Year for more information about the community.   That’s not the only way that Shea Homes is expanding! As the company’s national leader in social media, the homebuilder has also launched its new online show, Shea Today, which dives into building science, energy efficiency and all of the intricacies of building a high performance home. Check out their YouTube Channel to see what goes on behind the scenes during construction, quality testing and more. You can also find Shea Homes on Facebook, follow them on Twitter at @SheaHomesAZ, and add them to your circles on Google+.   SHEA HOMES IN The NEWS: Ken Peterson, VP of Sales and Marketing for Shea Homes, was featured in the Phoenix Business Journal this month. Check it out his executive profile here.

The Crossroads ‘roads of Hope Dinner

One lucky raffle winner took home this 1954 Lincoln Continental with suicide doors. For over 50 years, Crossroads Inc. has been a beacon of light in the Phoenix Metro area for those affected by alcohol and drug addiction by providing them with a healthy transitional living environment. With over 7 facilities in the Valley serving men and women, this organization continues to help people on the path to recovery.   This year’s ‘roads of Hope fundraising dinner highlighted Crossroads successes in the community and its future goals to extend its reach into the Valley’s communities. The evening was not all business though as comedian Dick Kendall had the crowd rolling with laughter during his set.   For more information on the Crossroads, please visit www.thecrossroadsinc.com or like them on Facebook.