Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, has led the organization through a challenge that none could have ever anticipated. The challenges of COVID-19 have hit the budgets and volunteer base of the thousands of nonprofits that serve the people of Arizona. Learn how the AAN has played a role in helping nonprofits survive, and because of that, touched the life of everyone in the state.

Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, has led the organization through a challenge that none could have ever anticipated. The challenges of COVID-19 have hit the budgets and volunteer base of the thousands of nonprofits that serve the people of Arizona. Learn how the AAN has played a role in helping nonprofits survive, and because of that, touched the life of everyone in the state.

The Rescuers radio show provides an opportunity to spotlight people who are working behind the scenes to make this world a better place. These people serve as inspiration and idea starters to encourage others to find creative ways to impact their community, their city, and the world.

Host Art Brooks has spent his career in broadcasting, both as on-air talent and in representing the industry as president and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association for nearly 30 years. He was the driving force behind an Emmy-winning series of documentaries on drug abuse that combined a phone bank of 100 seasoned counselors and history-making "roadblock," as every TV station in Arizona and many radio stations broadcast the groundbreaking show on the same day at the same time. He also was instrumental in starting AZ AMBER Alert (one of two states in the nation where broadcasters initiated the program), helped form the Native American Broadcast Institute at Northern Arizona University and consulted with broadcasters in Bulgaria to help build commercial radio as the country was coming out of communism.

Rescuers airs 5:30-6 p.m. AZ time Thursdays on KPXQ-AM Faith Talk 1360, beginning May 7, 2020. Based in Phoenix, it is available internationally online. We invite you to submit names of heroes you think would be good subjects for the show - just message us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/

The Rescuers radio show provides an opportunity to spotlight people who are working behind the scenes to make this world a better place. These people serve as inspiration and idea starters to encourage others to find creative ways to impact their community, their city, and the world. Host Art Brooks has spent his career in broadcasting, both as on-air talent and in representing the industry as president and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association for nearly 30 years. He was the driving force behind an Emmy-winning series of documentaries on drug abuse that combined a phone bank of 100 seasoned counselors and history-making "roadblock," as every TV station in Arizona and many radio stations broadcast the groundbreaking show on the same day at the same time. He also was instrumental in starting AZ AMBER Alert (one of two states in the nation where broadcasters initiated the program), helped form the Native American Broadcast Institute at Northern Arizona University and consulted with broadcasters in Bulgaria to help build commercial radio as the country was coming out of communism. Rescuers airs 5:30-6 p.m. AZ time Thursdays on KPXQ-AM Faith Talk 1360, beginning May 7, 2020. Based in Phoenix, it is available internationally online. We invite you to submit names of heroes you think would be good subjects for the show - just message us on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/">https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/</a>

Rescuers radio show

An inspiring program highlighting everyday heroes who change and save lives, making the world around us a better place.

An inspiring program highlighting everyday heroes who change and save lives, making the world around us a better place.

Rescuers

Helping the helpers make a difference

Darryl Brandt is no stranger to hardship. In the span of a single, devastating month, he lost his father, his family, his business … and his sense of peace.

Known as The Dreaded Barber—a nod to both his hairstyle and his craft—Darryl faced deep depression in the aftermath. When he began to find his footing again, he made a deliberate choice: to turn his pain into purpose. As he puts it, “We all do things to put a roof over our heads; but we also need to do something that helps us sleep at night.”

A master barber, he knew he wanted to offer free haircuts to the marginalized, but he was determined to do more than that. Darryl trained to be a Certified Peer Support Specialist, drawing directly from his own experience with depression to be able to help others. He also became a Narcan educator and an ACEs trainer, equipping himself to offer a confidential, non-judgmental, trauma-informed space.

Each day, he asks himself, “What can I do in the 25 minutes someone is in my chair that can change their life?” From that space, he opens conversations about mental health, suicide prevention, and the opioid epidemic. He helps people connect to mental health support and care for challenges ranging from depression and suicide prevention to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and substance use.

Today, Darryl operates a mobile barber shop out of a repurposed city bus, finding new ways to serve those who need it most—starting with the scissors in his hand, and the words, “What can I do to make life easier for you?” He's already given 1,000 free haircuts in 2025.

In the comfort of the barber chair, people share, and lives are touched. As Darryl says, “if all you see is a free haircut, you’re missing the point.”

Click here to learn more about The Dreaded Barber: https://thedreadedbarber.org/

Original air date: December 18, 2025.

Darryl Brandt is no stranger to hardship. In the span of a single, devastating month, he lost his father, his family, his business &hellip; and his sense of peace.
Known as The Dreaded Barber&mdash;a nod to both his hairstyle and his craft&mdash;Darryl faced deep depression in the aftermath. When he began to find his footing again, he made a deliberate choice: to turn his pain into purpose. As he puts it, &ldquo;We all do things to put a roof over our heads; but we also need to do something that helps us sleep at night.&rdquo;
A master barber, he knew he wanted to offer free haircuts to the marginalized, but he was determined to do more than that. Darryl trained to be a Certified Peer Support Specialist, drawing directly from his own experience with depression to be able to help others. He also became a Narcan educator and an ACEs trainer, equipping himself to offer a confidential, non-judgmental, trauma-informed space.
Each day, he asks himself, &ldquo;What can I do in the 25 minutes someone is in my chair that can change their life?&rdquo; From that space, he opens conversations about mental health, suicide prevention, and the opioid epidemic. He helps people connect to mental health support and care for challenges ranging from depression and suicide prevention to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and substance use.
Today, Darryl operates a mobile barber shop out of a repurposed city bus, finding new ways to serve those who need it most&mdash;starting with the scissors in his hand, and the words, &ldquo;What can I do to make life easier for you?&rdquo; He's already given 1,000 free haircuts in 2025.
In the comfort of the barber chair, people share, and lives are touched. As Darryl says, &ldquo;if all you see is a free haircut, you&rsquo;re missing the point.&rdquo;
Click here to learn more about The Dreaded Barber: <a href="https://thedreadedbarber.org/">https://thedreadedbarber.org/</a> 
Original air date: December 18, 2025.

Haircuts, hope & connection – Darryl Brandt

More than 20 years ago, he was honored as a “Living Legend.” In the following 23 years, Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr. has continued to change this world for the better.

Congenial and warm as always, Pastor Stewart looks back at his time in ministry, as a respected civic rights leader, proponent of immigration reform, social justice, equality, and at his 48 years serving as pastor at the historic First Institutional Baptist Church. More recently, he’s embracing his role as grandpa.

Pastor Stewart’s name is synonymous with the six-year battle to pass the Martin Luther King holiday in Arizona. He has a reputation for dealing with conflict with honor – but he’s not above challenging the status quo.

He has impacted lives, and he has impacted history. His philosophy is to see the Christ in every person he meets.

Pastor Stewart continues working to fulfill the last line of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance: liberty and justice for all.

Click here to learn more about Pastor Stewart and First Institutional Baptist, click here: https://www.fibcaz.org/pastor-emeritus

Original air date: December 11, 2025.

More than 20 years ago, he was honored as a &ldquo;Living Legend.&rdquo; In the following 23 years, Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr. has continued to change this world for the better.
Congenial and warm as always, Pastor Stewart looks back at his time in ministry, as a respected civic rights leader, proponent of immigration reform, social justice, equality, and at his 48 years serving as pastor at the historic First Institutional Baptist Church. More recently, he&rsquo;s embracing his role as grandpa.
Pastor Stewart&rsquo;s name is synonymous with the six-year battle to pass the Martin Luther King holiday in Arizona. He has a reputation for dealing with conflict with honor &ndash; but he&rsquo;s not above challenging the status quo.
He has impacted lives, and he has impacted history. His philosophy is to see the Christ in every person he meets.
Pastor Stewart continues working to fulfill the last line of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance: liberty and justice for all.
Click here to learn more about Pastor Stewart and First Institutional Baptist, click here: <a href="https://www.fibcaz.org/pastor-emeritus">https://www.fibcaz.org/pastor-emeritus</a>
Original air date: December 11, 2025.

Jesus and justice – Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr.

When she took the reins of the Assistance League of Phoenix in 2012, Aimee Runyon was the first executive director in the history of the organization that had served the community – totally run by volunteers – since 1960.

She was recruited by another organization briefly but returned to the Assistance League in time to escort the nonprofit into another new era as they disaffiliated from the national Assistance League and became the all-local Delivering Dreams of Arizona.

One of the milestones where she has left her greatest footprint during that time is through starting three Delivering Dreams buses – vehicles retrofitted to be mobile clothing stores, including dressing rooms. These travel to schools around the Valley to  help students each choose an entire wardrobe worth $300.

Delivering Dreams helps children in many other ways, including:
Wee Help program – providing basic items such as diapers, wipes, infant clothing, and blankets to new mothers being helped by partner nonprofits.
Books Gifts program – providing books to low-income children in kindergarten through eighth grades, and to social service agencies who in turn put those books in the hands of needy kids. They distribute more than 25,000 books per year.
HUGS Program – partnering with first responders by donating cuddly teddy bears for children experiencing crisis.
The Thrift Boutique – a resale store that carries gently-used clothing, furniture.

She leads a mammoth army of dedicated volunteers, working together to improve the lives of children through fulfilling basic needs, fostering self-esteem, and enhancing their quality of life.  

Click here to learn more about Delivering Dreams of Arizona:  https://deliveringdreamsaz.org/

Original air date: December 4, 2025.

When she took the reins of the Assistance League of Phoenix in 2012, Aimee Runyon was the first executive director in the history of the organization that had served the community &ndash; totally run by volunteers &ndash; since 1960.
She was recruited by another organization briefly but returned to the Assistance League in time to escort the nonprofit into another new era as they disaffiliated from the national Assistance League and became the all-local Delivering Dreams of Arizona.
One of the milestones where she has left her greatest footprint during that time is through starting three Delivering Dreams buses &ndash; vehicles retrofitted to be mobile clothing stores, including dressing rooms. These travel to schools around the Valley to&nbsp; help students each choose an entire wardrobe worth $300.
Delivering Dreams helps children in many other ways, including:
<ul>
<li>Wee Help program &ndash; providing basic items such as diapers, wipes, infant clothing, and blankets to new mothers being helped by partner nonprofits.</li>
<li>Books Gifts program &ndash; providing books to low-income children in kindergarten through eighth grades, and to social service agencies who in turn put those books in the hands of needy kids. They distribute more than 25,000 books per year.</li>
<li>HUGS Program &ndash; partnering with first responders by donating cuddly teddy bears for children experiencing crisis.</li>
<li>The Thrift Boutique &ndash; a resale store that carries gently-used clothing, furniture.</li>
</ul>
She leads a mammoth army of dedicated volunteers, working together to improve the lives of children through fulfilling basic needs, fostering self-esteem, and enhancing their quality of life. &nbsp;
Click here to learn more about Delivering Dreams of Arizona:&nbsp; <a href="https://deliveringdreamsaz.org/">https://deliveringdreamsaz.org/</a>
Original air date:&nbsp;December 4, 2025.

Helping the helpers make a difference

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