Say “United Way” and many of us think of a pillar of the community that helps raise money for nonprofits and provides critical services. But there’s another role they play behind the scenes.

Twyla Marcrum leads operational excellence initiatives for the Valley of the Sun United Way, and as vice president of donor engagement. But she wears another hat, representing the organization as board chair for the Arizona Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (AZVOAD). This group coordinates community efforts for disaster response and preparedness, building collaborative relationships to maximize their collective impact during a disaster.

National VOAD is a coalition of more than 70 of the nation’s most reputable national faith, community, and nonprofit organizations, plus state and territory VOADs representing hundreds of other member organizations throughout the country.

They combine forces to mobilize during challenges like hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and the recent devastating flooding in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.

Click here to learn more about VOAD: National - https://www.nvoad.org/ and Arizona - https://www.azvoad.org/

Original air date: August 28, 2025.

Say &ldquo;United Way&rdquo; and many of us think of a pillar of the community that helps raise money for nonprofits and provides critical services. But there&rsquo;s another role they play behind the scenes.
Twyla Marcrum leads operational excellence initiatives for the Valley of the Sun United Way, and as vice president of donor engagement. But she wears another hat, representing the organization as board chair for the Arizona Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (AZVOAD). This group coordinates community efforts for disaster response and preparedness, building collaborative relationships to maximize their collective impact during a disaster.
National VOAD is a coalition of more than 70 of the nation&rsquo;s most reputable national faith, community, and nonprofit organizations, plus state and territory VOADs representing hundreds of other member organizations throughout the country.
They combine forces to mobilize during challenges like hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and the recent devastating flooding in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.
Click here to learn more about VOAD: National - <a href="https://www.nvoad.org/">https://www.nvoad.org/</a> and Arizona - <a href="https://www.azvoad.org/">https://www.azvoad.org/</a>
Original air date: August 28, 2025.

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.