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Hearts of Gold
Spring 2025 Newsletter
| | 2025 Proud to be Blue Gala | | |
Hearts of Gold, in partnership with the Tucson Police Department, is excited to host the 3rd Annual Proud to be Blue Gala.
This will be an 18 and older, semi-private event, open only to current and retired TPD members and their guests, as well as Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Title level sponsors.
To purchase tickets and reserve your room, please scan the QR codes or click the buttons below to be directed to the event website and room reservations.
| | Silent Auction Donations! | | Do you know any businesses that would like to have their product included in the silent auction at the Gala? We are always looking for new silent auction items and packages. If you know someone who would like to donate to the silent auction, please have them email us at info@tucsonheartsofgold.org. | | Hearts of Gold has many volunteers that give their time and talent to help us fulfill our mission. One of those amazing people is Mary Parker. Some of you may know her as Mrs. Stephen Parker or Jordan's amazing mama. Mary is a full-time mom, wife, and Legal Assistant with the U.S. Attorney's Office. As if all of that isn't enough to fill her time, Mary is entering into her third year of volunteering as the Planning Committee Chair for the Proud to be Blue Gala. Mary has led the team's creative genius behind the decor and overall "vibe" of the Gala since the beginning. She has also been the right hand to Executive Director Jamie Brady in the overall planning and execution of the event. Mary's organizational skills, creativity, attention to detail, and passion for Hearts of Gold make her an invaluable part of our team! If you see Mary around, make sure to tell her how awesome she is and thank her for all she does for Hearts of Gold! We love you Mary! | |
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Here's what Mary has to say about why she volunteers for Hearts of Gold:
"I am always ready to help, whether it's for family, friends, or my duty as a public servant to the United States. I love volunteering with Hearts of Gold because they have allowed me to show my gratitude and support to the Tucson Police Department members by creating an unforgettable event where they are the shining stars of the evening. I love the collaboration and team effort by everyone involved in the Proud to be Blue Gala and the ongoing support and confidence from them knowing that my skills and talents are well appreciated."
| | Hearts of Gold New Programs! | | | | Hearts of Gold is excited to introduce the new Heart's Desire Program. The intent of the program is to provide special experiences to Hearts of Gold participants suffering from a terminal illness. For more details on the program please click the link below. Although we hope we never have to use this program, it is one more way we hope to give back to the TPD family. | | The Hearts of Gold Board of Directors wants to personally say "Thank You" to all of our participants who contribute every paycheck toward our mission. Using Board Member donations, we will be holding five drawings quarterly for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Three drawings will be for existing participants, and two will be for anyone who signed up in that quarter. For more details on this program, please click the link below! | | | |
Congratulations to Our
2025 1st Quarter Winners!
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Existing Participants
Casandra Exiga
Gilberto Armenta
Brichelle Saarloos
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1st Quarter New Enrollees
(Selected at Family Day)
Alexander Brauer
Kelsey Linares
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Once again, Hearts of Gold was proud to be the title sponsor for this amazing event to say “Thank You” to all Department members for their hard work and dedication. A great time was had by all!
Hearts of Gold and TPD are always looking to improve this event for YOU so please take a moment to fill out this survey and let us know how we can make it even better!
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Tucson Roadrunners
First Responder Night
| | Hearts of Gold is honored to support our TPD Hockey Team each year at this event. We purchased a block of 30 tickets for Hearts of Gold participants to attend and cheer on the TPD team! | | Congratulations to Sergeant Dave Fritsch for being awarded the 3rd Quarter 2024 Wellness Grant! We hope everyone gets a chance to stop by and check out the new artwork in the PIO Office! | | Do you have an idea of how to improve the overall health, wellness, and morale of Department members? Click the link below to submit a Wellness Grant Application! | | Save the Date For Gaslight 2025! | | |
Mark your calendars for the 15th Annual Gaslight Theater Fundraiser.
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Tickets will go on sale in the fall.
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The Hearts of Gold Board of Directors remains committed to providing financial assistance to Department members who have suffered a catastrophic event causing financial hardship.
We are so excited to have passed the HALF MILLION DOLLAR MILESTONE! To date, the Hearts of Gold Assistance Program has provided over $546,000 to Department members in need.
Thank you to all of our generous participants and donors for making this happen!
| | 2025 Scholarship Recipients | | Each year The Hearts of Gold Board of Directors selects five recipients for the Hearts of Gold Higher Education Scholarship. The process is very competitive and this year the Board received applications from 13 candidates. The following applicants were selected after a standardized scoring process reviewing academic achievement, community volunteerism, awards/accolades, letters of recommendation, and the applicant's personal essay. Congratulations to the following 2025 Scholarship Recipients! | | Aidan Alexander is the son of Hearts of Gold participant, Matt Alexander. Aidan will be a junior at the University of Arizona next fall, and is working toward earning an accelerated master's in computer science with a minor in software engineering. He is a survivor of chronic myeloid leukemia and is currently undergoing chemotherapy, yet he still finds ways to get involved on campus; becoming a teaching assistant for a discrete math class and joining clubs such as the Google Developers Student Club. Aidan is excited to continue his education with the help of Hearts of Gold. Congratulations Aidan! | | | | | Jacob is the son of Hearts of Gold Participant, Melissa Bugarin-Espinoza, and will be graduating from Amphitheater High School in May of 2025. Jacob has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his high school career along with being a 4-year starter on the Varsity football team. He plans to attend Western New Mexico University where he will pursue a degree in Business Marketing. Jacob will work toward his goal of a career in professional sports with an emphasis in Business Marketing. In addition, he will continue as a student/athlete on the football team. Jacob is excited to begin this next chapter. Congratulations Jacob! | | Molly Greene is the daughter of retired Hearts of Gold participant, Nichole Harkey, and will be graduating from Ironwood Ridge High School in May of 2025. Molly is planning on majoring in criminology while attending school at Northern Arizona University. She is unsure of what the future holds career wise, however she is certain that traveling all across the world will be in her future. She is an avid concert goer, is constantly outside hiking, and is a very go with the flow type of person. She’s very excited to see what the future has in store. Congratulations Molly! | | | |
| Dominic is the son of Hearts of Gold Participant, Frank Mayo. Dominic is currently a Senior at Mountain View High School and will graduate with honors in May of 2025. Dominic plans to attend the University of Arizona, where he will major in Game Design and Development & Computer Science. Dominic will be putting his creativity, aptitude for math, four years of high school computer classes, and his love of wanting to help others to use by creating games apps that will benefit kids and adults like himself on the autism spectrum. Dominic also wants to develop apps and programs that would help those with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, which is near and dear to his heart, as it has affected members of his family. When Dominic isn’t studying, he stays busy singing with The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus in The Young Men’s Ensemble, playing his guitar, acting as his schools Chess Club President and playing with his cats. His hope is to have a future that allows him to do what he loves and being the one who can now help others and make a difference. Congratulations Dominic! | | Zach Windsor is the son of Hearts of Gold participants, Tony and Lisa Windsor. Zach will graduate Marana High School in the spring of 2025 and has been accepted to the University of Arizona. He plans to major in Electrical and Computer Engineering where he will pursue his passion for computing. He enjoys chess, playing sports, and spending time with family. He is excited to see what the future holds for him! Congratulations Zach! We wish you well in your future educational endeavors! | | | | | Tom Vetrano is the Hearts of Gold Board Past Chair and is committed to the first responder community. Tom has been helping people achieve their financial goals for nearly 40 years and is the trusted financial advisor for hundreds of first responders. | | Need Help With Financial Planning? | |
Hearts of Gold is committed to ensuring that all Department members have access to financial planning assistance. If you would like to take advantage of a free, no commitment, one-hour financial planning meeting through Vetrano Financial Services, please email:
info@tucsonheartsofgold.org
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The TPD Pantry is available to all Department members who may be struggling to make ends meet on a short-term basis. To learn more about the Pantry and how to request assistance please click the link below or contact the below BSU personnel.
How do I request Pantry assistance?
Sergeant Alfonso Carranza
520-561-9113
Sergeant Gus Babauta
520-307-1340
Sergeant Kyle Robinson
520-589-8658
Officer Robert Soeder
520-589-8716
| | Police Departments all over the nation continue to suffer preventable tragedies related to suicide. Hearts of Gold wants ALL current and retired Department members to know they are supported and have options if they need help. These magnets have been distributed to all substations as a reminder of that support. Our hope is to see these magnets throughout all of the various work locations to remind members that they have support in many ways and are never alone. | | | | |
We are excited to share our latest design that we launched at Family Day! These new t-shirts are the softest material and available in short and long sleeve. We have also added two styles of sweatshirts and water bottle stickers to our collection. All new items come in ladies and unisex styles and the t-shirts come in short and long sleeve. These along with our other designs are available on our website.
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We are also excited to share one of our newest additions to our merchandise collection! These 9 oz, 100% soy wax candles from Di Luna Candles burn longer and cleaner than traditional wax candles.
These three unique scents are available only through Hearts of Gold. Sold individually or as a 3-jar set. These along with all of our other merchandise are unique and awesome gifts!
| | | Benefits of Hearts of Gold Participation | | |
~Deduction appears as "PS Foundation" on paystub
~100% tax deductible as Hearts of Gold is a 501(c)(3)
~To sign up for Hearts of Gold click the Enrollment Form link, fill out the form, scan and email the completed form to
info@tucsonheartsofgold.org
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~Minimum $5/paycheck payroll contributions.
~Provides financial assistance to sworn and professional staff Department members and their immediate families who have suffered a catastrophic event that has caused financial hardship.
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~Retirees are now eligible to participate and receive assistance.
~If you are retiring and are a current Hearts of Gold Participant, please click the link below, fill out the form, scan and email the completed form to
info@tucsonheartsofgold.org
| | Connect with Hearts of Gold | | |
New Board Member
Scott Redmon
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For over 15 years, Scott Redmon has been a practicing attorney in Southern Arizona. In 2019, he formed "The Redmon Law Firm" to help clients in various legal matters in courts throughout the state. As a former prosecutor, Scott was the 2013 Mothers Against Drunk Driving ("MADD") DUI Enforcement Award winner for the City of Tucson Prosecutor’s Office. While with the City, Scott's passion was trial litigation. From 2012 to 2014, he amassed a 93% jury trial conviction rate. Scott's philosophy for prosecution was always to act as a "minister of justice". During his tenure with the City, Scott deeply appreciated the opportunity to work and collaborate with the members of the Tucson Police Department.
Public service and volunteerism have been an important part of Scott's life and career. Since law school, Scott has enjoyed the opportunity to volunteer with various organizations and events, including "Wills for Heroes" benefitting first responders, VITA tax clinics, "Ask a Lawyer Days" sponsored by the Pima County Bar Association, the "QUILT Program" for Southern Arizona, and assisting with youth sports at the YMCA of Southern Arizona for many years.
Since 2007, Scott has been a resident of Tucson after moving to Arizona from the Midwest. He resides on the northwest side of town with his family. When not practicing law, Scott enjoys supporting his children with their various activities, officiating high school athletics for the AIA, enjoying the Arizona outdoors, and being a season ticket holder for U of A sports (Bear Down!). Welcome to the team, Scott!
| | If you haven't checked out our website, head over to Tucson Hearts of Gold and learn about all of the ways we support the Department and Southern Arizona Law Enforcement. | | Click on the links below to learn more about our programs, and to hear testimonials from participants who have received assistance as well as an endorsement from our very own Chief Kasmar. | | Hearts of Gold is Looking for Board Members! | | |
The Hearts of Gold Board of Directors is currently accepting nominations for director positions. We are looking for diverse community leaders who have a passion for supporting and assisting the members of our law enforcement community. Although not required, we could benefit from having Board members with expertise in the medical field.
Given the sensitive nature of our programs, our operating procedures outline the following guidelines for Board membership:
- ~May not be current Tucson Police Department members or their immediate family.
- ~Retirees must have been separated for a minimum of three years.
Please email info@tucsonheartsofgold.org for more information
| | | | We want to hear from you! | The Hearts of Gold Board of Directors wants to hear from you! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond to the various surveys we have put out. We have created easy links to share your experiences and let us know how we can improve and enhance our programs, communication and service. Your responses are anonymous and are seen by all Board members. If you have a compliment, concern, or idea, please consider taking a few moments to leave it on the survey. We value your input! | | | | |
