This past holiday season, and into the New Year have seen positive joint ventures for Vested Interest, Grant’s Army, and the Arizona PVA.

Starting with Thanksgiving, Larry and Sabrina Westbrook took the reigns of another holiday and with support of Grant’s Army and the Chapter managed to feed all the families in Vested Interest and other families in need. The young men of V.I. are considered at risk youth at least until they spend time with Larry Westbrook. This non profit delivers food daily to various neighborhoods and groups both in Maricopa and Pinal counties in partnership with Fry’s Grocery Stores. This is just a small fraction of community service provided by Vested Interest. Full Thanksgiving meals purchased from the store and delivered to over sixty families in less than thirty-six hours. No small feat, be assured of that. All total we managed to feed about one hundred families with a great meal. Each family that went to Encanto Park Thanksgiving morning received a smoked turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pies and other treats, prepared courtesy of Mark Smith owner of the Honey Bear chain of Barbecue restaurants. Brian Grant who recently came to play for the Phoenix Suns is a long time supporter of Vested Interest. Mr. Grant came early with his family to hand out autographed tee shirts before he helped hand out the meals at the park. He is an old hand at this as he still financially Supports the feeding of over two thousand people back in Los Angeles where he resided and played before the 2005 NBA season. We welcome Mr. Grant and his family to Arizona.

Christmas was a huge success as almost seventy families were treated to extra large meals. Christmas gifts were donated, purchased through donations and delivered individually to a dozen families with young children who would have had to go without if not for the generous support of Tammi and Tom Pfiffer, Dawn and Gabriel Spanghel, Jeri and Jody Romero, Mr. Joe Stanislawski and Ms. R.J. Lassiter. The combined partnership of Vested Interest, Grant’s Army, Learning Tree of Mesa and the Arizona Chapter initiated a terrific community plan to assist the community in helping themselves and others to the holidays. It is our hope that the following years will be stronger and we can reach more of those in need.

We Are Family a long time Chapter and V.I. associate, was assisted in feeding thousands of low income families in areas of Nogales, Arizona.

In today's world bad new makes the headlines. There are always successes that are over looked., or deemed as not news worthy. We have a few excellent stories for your reading pleasure.

Travis Dixon is the son of Anne and roger Dixon and older brother to Justin. The Dixon family has been around from the beginning of Vested Interest here in Arizona. The Westbrook and the Dixon families have raised their children to be the best they can be and give back to their community.

Travis is a 2005 graduate of Hamilton High School in Chandler. Travis graduated with 3.3 GPA and was nominated for Vision College Bound academic scholarship. He participated in Chandler Elementary School District reading program reading, using his time to read to elementary students. Travis was involved in Vested Interest; he also assisted with coaching a Pop Warner Football. Travis was a 4year letterman in Basketball and a 3year starter where he was named all conference his Junior and Senior seasons. His leadership skills where displayed as quarterback of Hamilton High where he lead the Huskies in 2003 and 2004 back to the State Championships. He is the first quarterback in 35 years of Arizona High School football to lead their team to consecutive championships. Travis is currently attending the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) on a football athletic scholarship majoring in business administration. His two goals after graduating college are to play in the NFL and become a sports agent. Travis was recently given a $500.00 Scholarship to assist him at school. The check was presented to Travis through the Vested Interest, Grant’s Army and the Arizona Chapter.

Steven Bohner became a part of Vested Interest at the age of ten when he met Larry Westbrook through the Pop Warner Football program. For his birthday that year Vested Interest gave Steven the opportunity to meet his favorite football player, Steelers’ Stewart. The experience was something that Steven has never forgotten. From elementary school through high school, Steven has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and excelled in advanced placement courses. Steven took a special interest in writing at the high school level and reported for the school paper in his junior and senior years. He has always been willing to tutor others academically, offering his help to Vested Interest at any time. He is currently a freshman at Arizona State University where he was awarded a four-year full tuition academic scholarship. In the first semester he wasted no time getting involved in school activities. He applied for a position at the State Press, ASU’s student newspaper, but found that all positions were full at the time. Nevertheless, he helped the staff as a stringer (non-paid volunteer position) in the sports section and filled in for reporters when they were not able to cover their teams. He was named “Reporter of the Week”

At one point for his efforts and eventually was assigned to the club sports beat. Now in his second semester, Steven has made it on staff as a regular reporter. He was then offered a stringer position at the Arizona Republic, where he is currently working on his first assignments for the state-wide publication.

Earlier this year, Steven was again touched by Vested Interest. In his work at the State Press, he realized that to be able to cover his assignments he would need a portable computer to take to the events. He began searching for any reasonable prices he could find on a laptop, and when Larry found out he notified Steven the Vested Interest would award him a scholarship. Larry then expressed interest in putting together a newsletter chronicling Vested Interest’s efforts in the community, and distributing the information. The newsletter is currently in early stages of production.

Recently the Tru-Baller needed money for uniform. While Vested Interest usually only handles young men, thank to Grant’s Army, Larry was able to help out, and presented the team with a $600.00 check from V.I.. Grant’s Army and the APVA.

From Left to Right (Top) of picture—LaTanya Edenburgs (PR), Ashlie Scott, KaShara Starks, Baylee Bergman, Christina Robinson. From Left to Right (middle) - Semone Westbrook, Da’Monique Davis, Griselda Montes, Lauren Ramias. From Left to Right(Bottom) - Larry Westbrook, Falonia Edenburgs (Head Coach), Denis Clemente (Assistant Coach). Our website address is: www.aztruballers.com Our mailing address is: 3451 Lexington Court, Gilbert, AZ 85234 Phone: 480-732-9301.

The Arizona Tru-Ballers once again than you for you support!
“ If you believe, you will succeed”