Call Center Company in San Tan Valley, AZ

TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Drownings are a serious problem in the Valley, especially now as the weather warms up; however, it’s a year-round concern in Arizona.

So far this year, we’ve seen seven drowning deaths in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Just last year, 24 Valley kids drowned, which is up from 12 the year before. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 through 4.

“Everything was 100 miles an hour. I was in the pool. My husband was on the deck pulling both of us out. We both did CPR until Pinal County showed up and then they snatched him and ran,” said Ashley Ackerman. She lost her 4-year-old son in a drowning accident in 2022.

Ackerman said she wishes she knew then what she knows now about water safety.

“The impact that he had at 4 was just huge,” she said. “It doesn’t get easier because it’s still a hole. It’s a piece that’s missing in everything that we do.”

Just a few days after Braxton celebrated his birthday in March 2022, he drowned in the family’s backyard pool in San Tan Valley.

“Latching backyard doors, we have cameras, we had door chimes. We have all these things and for some reason every single piece failed,” said Ackerman.

She said he snuck away from both parents and five siblings that day and made his way beyond the fence and into the water. It all happened so fast.

“The hardest part for me is we were all home. There’s no blame. There’s no one to blame. We were all there. He’s a very active, very hyper, very adventurous 4 -year-old boy,” she said through tears.

The grieving mom channels her pain into the nonprofit she created in her son’s memory. Swim 4 Braxton’s mission is drowning prevention, and it offers specialized self-rescue swim lesson scholarships to kids in the Valley.

“For me I wanted to stand on a mountain and scream about all the things I learned after so that other people could hear it before it ever got to that point,” said Ackerman.

After Braxton’s death, Ackerman welcomed a new baby, and now she’s teaching her youngest son how to save himself.

“The swim lessons we did with Braxton the summer prior were good, but it didn’t teach him how to save his life. It taught him how to have fun in the water and it’s one of my biggest regrets. If we would have found something that first focused on find air maybe my son would still be here,” said Ackerman.

It’s healing for her to promote water safety to other families so they don’t face the same suffering. “I can’t change Braxton’s story, but I need his legacy to be this happened so other people can be safe,” she said.

Swim 4 Braxton is holding its third annual 10k/5k memorial walk on Sunday. It starts at 6:30 a.m. in Tempe, and all of the funds raised will go toward swim lessons and pool fence installation. You can sign up the morning of and donate anytime.

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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A San Tan Valley P.E. teacher and coach is being recognized for her 25 years of teaching students about the importance of health and physical fitness.

Loreen Zapata teaches four classes of physical education and one class of weights and coaches three sports at Combs High School. Her dedication and commitment to every student really stands out!

“She is amazing at being able to be what each child needs her to be for them, whether it’s a child that has special needs and they need special love and care and attention in a certain way, or whether it’s one of her kids, like my daughter, or my son, that is on track and field,” Lisa Horne, mom of 5 and J.O. Combs Board member, said.

Horne nominated Ms. Zapata for the Silver Apple Award. Arizona’s Family and our sponsor, Desert Financial Credit Union, surprised Ms. Zapata with the award while she was on the field teaching a P.E. class.

“She’s exemplary and I wouldn’t choose anybody else to be with my children in those moments than her,” Horne said.

Zapata teaches teens at Combs High School about the value of being active and creating lifelong healthy habits.

“I change lives everyday. These kids hopefully want to continue playing tag, playing football, pickleball, walking, all of those fitness aspects, they can take with them,” Zapata said.

Zapata says even after 25 years of teaching, she is still excited to get out of bed each morning and come to work!

“I love what I do I always have. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be teaching,” Zapata added.

A huge congrats to Coach Zapata on the big honor!

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The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) has officially opened bidding for its annual Unclaimed Property Auction, giving the public a chance to purchase valuable items that have been sitting unclaimed for years. The online auction is being hosted by Sierra Auction Management, Inc., and will run through Sunday, April 13 at 5 p.m.

Items available include:

These items were recovered from abandoned safe deposit boxes and have remained unclaimed by their original owners.

View and bid online: www.sierraauction.comAuction dates: Open now through April 13, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Public Viewing Available

For those who want to see the items in person before placing a bid, a public preview is scheduled for:

Sierra Auction Management, Inc.

4298 N. 35th Drive Phoenix, AZ 85019

???? Friday, April 11 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

What Happens to the Proceeds?

While the auction helps clear out storage space, the money from sold items isn't kept by the state. Instead, it's transferred into a custodial account, where it will remain available to the rightful owners for up to 35 years.

ADOR's Unclaimed Property Unit is responsible for safeguarding and returning lost assets to Arizonans. In fiscal year 2024, the Department returned a record $88 million in unclaimed funds.

Think You Might Be Owed Money?

You can search for your name to see if the state is holding any unclaimed property for you:

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is giving Arizonans a new way to show their support for important causes while on the road. Just in time for National Autism Acceptance Month, ADOT has unveiled a brand-new Autism Support specialty license plate, one of 106 specialty plate options now available through the Motor Vehicle Division.

In addition to the new Autism Support plate, ADOT also announced a redesign of the National Guard plate, which is now also available in a motorcycle format.

How It Works

Most specialty plates cost $25 per year, with $17 of that amount going directly to a designated nonprofit or charitable organization. In fiscal year 2024, Arizona specialty plates raised over $13 million for causes across the state and are on track to exceed that amount this year.

Autism Support Plate

Proceeds from the new Autism Support plate will benefit:

The funds will support autism research and provide resources for individuals with autism and their families. The plate is available to anyone and is also offered in a motorcycle format.

"This initiative represents a powerful statement for our state and a milestone moment for Arizonans impacted by autism," said SARRC President & CEO Daniel Openden, Ph.D., BCBA-D. He also highlighted the plate's original artwork by Joe Bradley, a founding member of SARRC's Self-Advocate Advisory Board and an accomplished artist on the autism spectrum.

National Guard Plate

The redesigned National Guard plate now includes:

Proceeds go toward programs that support the men, women, families, and mission of the Arizona National Guard.

"With every purchase, you support our servicemembers, families, and underlying mission," said Major General Kerry Muehlenbeck, Arizona National Guard Adjutant General and Director of Emergency and Military Affairs.

How to Order

All specialty license plates can be viewed and ordered online at: ???? azmvdnow.gov/plates

To browse the full selection of 100+ specialty designs, visit azdot.gov/plates.