Amandalyn Wulfert

Name: Amandalyn Wulfert

Instagram handle: @Amandalynrose

Profession/Title: Social Media Influencer

City you live in: Gilbert

How do you know of PFF: The amazing Runway of Hope Fashion Show

What makes PFF special: PFF is special because they help and support the many families, who have children with

life-threatening illnesses, overcome struggles they may face. They host events that bring the community together for a great cause snd show support for those who need it most.

If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why: The fifth annual Runway of Hope fashion show was the first PFF event that I have been to, and I cannot wait to attend the many other events that they put on. The event that I

attended was not only an exciting atmosphere, but it gave the attendees an opportunity to see the different ways that PFF helps families in need.

What is your favorite thing about AZ? My favorite thing about Arizona is the landscape and the weather. I was born and raised in AZ, so the heat is something that I have come to adore. Plus, it gives us a year-round chance to go outside and soak up the sun, or do any other outdoor activities. Arizona is my home, I never plan on leaving.

What is something on your bucket list? One thing that is on my bucket list is to travel to Tokyo. It has been one place that I have always wanted to go, I would love to experience the culture and cuisine.

What was your first job? My first job was a hostess at Texas Roadhouse.

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset. Arizona sunsets are some of the prettiest in the world, yes I am biased. But honestly, it is one of my favorite things to sit back and watch the sunset and take in the amazing Arizona beauty.

Coffee or tea? Coffee...all day everyday!

What/who inspires you? My Grandma inspires me, she is the toughest lady I have ever known and she always pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and find my own happiness.

What is a motto you live by? “Do what you love”- a quote from my Grandma.

What does a normal day look like for you? A typical day for me would be waking up early, heading to Dutch Bros for a coffee with my dog, Lollipop. After a day at work, I typically like to end the day watching some reality tv with my family.

What is one thing you can not live without? One thing I cannot live without is my Malshi dog, Lollipop. She is my mini me and we practically do everything together.

One thing you think every one needs to try? I definitely think that everyone in life needs to try getting out of their comfort zone. There is something so special about doing something that you have always wanted to, even if it scares you!

It Could Be Anyone, Even You

Take a moment to think about a time you had difficulties paying for something that was either a necessity or maybe something you just really liked. Can you remember how you felt when you knew you could not afford it but still needed it? The fear of the credit card not going through or being declined. The embarrassment of being told your card was not approved. OH my gosh it is the worst feeling ever.

I can admit I have felt that way and it is humbling. I have lived paycheck to paycheck and remember hoping to not have my account be in the red. Thankfully I did not have any one else I was responsible for and could live off of soup for a few days.

But imagine having a child. Now imagine that child being sick. Not only sick but with a life threatening illness. Your child is so sick you have to stay at a hospital a few times a month.

Now what do you do?

Life throws us curves balls all the time and a lot of the families we help were not ready or prepared to have to dedicate their paycheck to a hospital or doctor visit. It was not in their budget to pay for their child to have surgery.

I was determined to be able to eliminate that fear and stress a family has when they cannot pay for their rent or utility bill.

Recently we had a mom (Ruth) apply for our grant who was 4 months late on her rent. Her bill was over $5,000! I spoke to her landlord and she confirmed to me that Ruth had never been late in the past and that her and her daughter have been living in her apartment for a few years now. I was able to work out a deal with the landlord and the foundation sent her a $2700 check to help. I know that was not the total amount but that is the most we have EVER helped one family.

Every family leaves an imprint on my heart but for some reason this one hit me differently. I spoke to her on the phone and she was walking me down the path her and her daughter have been on the last few years. She first told me that her daughter was not properly diagnosed and her doctors thought she had a urinary tract infection. They sent her home, and a few days later she went into a seizure. Her daughter has chronic kidney disease. She has been on the verge of death a few times and is fighting for her life. If it wasn’t for the persistence of her mother to fight for her she might not be alive.

So do you leave your child who is in the hospital to go to work? I wouldn’t think so.

I am not a mother yet but I am a “bonus mom” and I believe that when your child is this sick it is a moment of fight or flight. You fight for your family and continue until there is no fight left.

The impression I received from Ruth is that she will do anything for her daughter and will continue to fight for her and her health until she cannot anymore.

I wanted to write this post because it is important to focus on why The Pearce Family Foundation exists. Sure, we love throwing events and fun parties but at the end of the day it is for the families who have nowhere else to turn. We are trying to keep them from living in a shelter or on the streets.

With the money we bring in from events and individual supporters we can make these exceptions sometimes.

Do you think you could spare $5 or $10 a month to be a part of our Angel Club? It is one or two cups of coffee a month, that you won’t miss as much knowing you are helping a mom like Ruth.

If you are ever in this situation or know someone who is, wouldn’t you want to know that there is a place like PFF who can help them? 

Think about it, be an angel.

Clays For A Cause... 5 Years Later!

After asking my event coordinator Kourtnie to take a look back at who has attended Clays for a Cause, since event one, I was shocked to find something out. Our first year we had 10 squads (teams). TEN. That was it. And today I am trying to fill 40 spots.

I had one of those ah ha moments where you are like, “Meghan, you have successfully thrown a sporting clay tournament and people enjoy it”. I am going to have to give full credit to the man who came up with this event and it was my amazing husband Sean. When I was trying to think of something other than a golf tournament to hold, Sean immediately chimed in and said I should host a sporting clay tournament. He kindly reminded me my father would be a great resource and that not very many nonprofits (if any at the time) held a sporting clay tournament.

My father, Art Pearce, has been an avid hunter in AZ as well as all over the country and even internationally for as long as I have been alive. He only hunts game, that he can use all of the animal for (the skin and the meat). My father used to take my sister and I bird hunting when we were younger and always taught us the importance of gun safety. While growing up I was never afraid of guns or people carrying them, because the people my father put us around I knew I could trust. Seeing how competitive hunting is and the sport behind it made me respect this type of an event.

After the idea came to host an outdoor sporting clay tournament, I began investigating how to hold one. I immediately went up to Ben Avery Clay Target Center and met with their event coordinator. The team up at the range were very patient with me and helped me figure out how to hold an event for PFF.

Clays For A Cause 2014

Without their help, I know I would not have been able to hold that event because my knowledge of how to host a shotgun tournament was at about a -4 compared to most activates. The terminology was a lesson in itself and the different types of guns and shells was also something I needed to become an expert in.

I am so happy I stuck with it, because to see how we started to where we are now amazes me.

After the success of the first event I went out to Las Vegas for the Shot Show and met with big time shooting companies (Remington, Boyt & Harness, Fiocchi etc) and they were impressed with my drive to bring this type of sport to a nonprofit event.

I have been so lucky with the sponsors, the volunteers and everyone who has helped make this event work. Every year we have grown by at least 8 squads and to some of you that might not seem like a lot, but for an event that is sort of uncommon it is a tremendous growth.

The first two years we gave a portion of the funds to a program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital called, Camp Maska. This was a camp to help children who had a kidney disease get out of town for a few nights and enjoy summer camp. After Angel Pups was born we decided to focus the additional funds to our new initiative, which has allowed us to bring in even more sponsors because hunting and dogs go hand in hand.

Clays For A Cause 2015

Clays For A Cause 2016

From the days we all wore orange vests like construction workers, to the time our outdoor tent blew away in the middle of the night and had to be replaced every year is a memory. Then one of my absolute favorite memories was when we had one of our Angels Around Us families out on the range shooting targets, it is my favorite event we host.

I am not here to talk about gun rights or have the energy to argue about why I am okay with a sporting clay tournament….I am here to tell you if you have ever wanted to try shooting this is the event for you.

A huge thank you to Fred Fleet who is our Goodwill Ambassador this year and who has been nothing but supportive of our event since 2014. Fred is my go to guy for any sporting clay question and I appreciate how he is always willing to go the extra mile to help me fill the squads at the event.

From ten teams to now forty teams, PFF promises to continue this event for many years to come.

Clays for a Cause 2017

If you are coming to the event I promise, it will be a BLAST

Xo,

Meghan

Host A Beneficiary Event!

Did you know you can host a beneficiary event for PFF!? We get approached on a daily basis with event ideas and ways to give back to the community. We know you have a busy schedule, as do we, so we've made it easier on everyone to host a beneficiary on YOUR own!

Our beneficiary event program is a way for you to plan any event you would like (you're in full control) and proceed the funds back to an initiative that touches your heart. It's incredible the things a beneficiary event can do to bridge the gap between the hospital and the home for our program families. Big or small, a beneficiary event is so magical and it's a way for you to be involved and still be fully independent! We've had 2 recent beneficiary events hosted for the behalf of PFF and they couldn't have been more perfect.. take a peak!

The Foxy Kat's Birthday Bash

To celebrate the Foxy Kat's 33rd birthday, she planned an incredible workout at BODI to raise funds for Angel Pups. It also worked out that the day followed National Dog Day, now who wouldn't want to celebrate that!? The day was filled with celebration, family, friends, sweat, and puppies! We are so thankful of Kat to host this birthday bash in honor of PFF and bring back $811 to a child that would benefit from a life saving service dog.

Click here to read more about the special day and meet our close friend and supporter herself, Kat!

Weezy's Arthouse

Irene, Founder of Weezy's Playhouse has been a close foundation friend and supporter since we met back during Runway of Hope 2018. Though we've only known her for a short amount of time, she has done immense work to give back to PFF. She hosted a fashion and art show at 9 the Gallery to showcase incredible looks, art pieces, and bring together local models, artist, influencers, and media. The night of art dedication and networking brought back funds to our Angels Around Us families and we couldn't be more thankful!

Take a peek at the night below and click here to meet Weezy on her Instagram page!

A Note from the Roberts

The other day the foundation had sent out an email. We emailed a few of our families who are a part of our Angels Around Us and Angel Pups program. We asked them to be a part of our blog and to help share their experience with PFF.

There are some families we can just count on and one of those are the Roberts family. Paige (mom) is always willing to send me pictures of her son Devin and their service dog Teddy. Last year (2017) we helped pay for the remaining balance needed for their son to receive a service dog. Teddy helps with day to day tasks for Devin and is not only his service dog, but his best friend.

Here is the mom's answers to our questions:

Name: Devin Roberts (Paige and Patrick  Roberts- Mom and Dad)

How you know of PFF:  Elizabeth Ayers- Cluff told me about PFF almost 2 yrs ago, their family was a friend of Meghan who she met while working at Phoenix Children's Hospital.

What makes PFF special:  PFF is an amazing organization that has many different facets.  It is so special for families and their kiddos in need.  The foundation makes dreams come true for special need children with their Angel Pups program. PFF grants a portion of the money needed to attain a service dog, and that is life changing for these kids.   They provide assistance for many families in times of crisis, when chronic medical issues plague their family and weigh them down financially and emotionally.

The founder, Meghan, is so invested in this organization and is constantly spreading the word and raising money and generating resources to help families in need.  This is an outstanding organization that Phoenix, Az should be proud to have as part of their city. 

#aboveandbeyondforthekiddos

-Paige