West Valley professionals rally for children in need

An organization of West Valley professionals is giving back to less fortunate children in the community.

Members of Human Services Professionals West collected items to benefit the West Valley Child Crisis Center, which aids abused and neglected children who are removed from their homes by Child Protective Services.

The group offered a collection of various clothing and toiletry items, food and other donations to the West Valley Child Crisis Center at a monthly meeting Thursday.

HSP West President Penny Karle said her group comprises many business owners and professionals in the West Valley, including the Sun Cities, Glendale, Peoria and Surprise, and includes many people who work in senior care businesses or provide some type of service.

"We wanted to do something for (an organization) on the west side and since most of us do service with seniors and the older population, we wanted to do something for the younger population that we don't always do enough for," she said.

HSP West generally does benefit drives during the summer months as well as during the winter holiday season, Karle said. Board members discussed several charities before deciding to offer help to the West Valley Child Crisis Center.

For information about HSP West, visit www.hspwest.com.

For information about the West Valley Child Crisis Center or to donate, call 623-848-8863 or visit www.wvccc.org.