Dear STARS Families & Friends,
I have some truly exciting news to share with you! STARS has been nominated for the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award—and not just nominated, but we are the only nonprofit in Arizona to receive this honor. That alone is worth celebrating, but let me give you the full picture of why this matters and how you can help.
What are the True Inspiration Awards?
The Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards were created to honor nonprofit organizations that are making a real difference in their communities. Each year, Chick-fil-A awards millions of dollars in grants (ranging from $30,000 to $350,000) to support initiatives that build brighter futures. It’s an incredibly competitive process—and this year, 56 nonprofits across the U.S. and U.K. were selected. STARS is one of them.
How did we get here?
We’ve been working hard—together—to make an impact that gets noticed. From growing our programs, to strengthening our culture, to pushing forward with new opportunities for the individuals we serve, our team’s passion and dedication have carried us to this moment. This nomination is not just recognition of our work—it’s a recognition of YOU.
Why does this matter?
Winning a True Inspiration Award would mean transformational support for our programs. It would allow us to expand services, strengthen our impact, and reach even more individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These funds could help us dream bigger, scale faster, and continue to deliver the kind of opportunities our participants deserve.
What YOU Can Do?
Voting opens September 2nd—and here’s how you can help us win:
- Download the Chick-fil-A App from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create or log into your Chick-fil-A One account.
- Tap the “For You” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Look for the True Inspiration Awards card and tap “Vote Now.”
- Select the West Region.
- Find STARS and cast your vote!
Voting runs the entire month of September, and every single vote brings us closer to victory.
Celebrate With Us!
You’re invited to an evening of food, fun, and community spirit!
Join us as we celebrate an exciting milestone at the True Inspiration Celebration, hosted by our nominating Chick-fil-A location — Chick-fil-A Raintree (14995 N 87th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85260) — on Tuesday, September 9, from 4–8 PM.
Here’s what’s in store:
Walkthroughs on how to vote—so everyone leaves empowered to spread the word
Vote for STARS on the app and show it off during the event to receive your choice of: an Original Chick-fil-A Sandwich, Spicy Sandwich, or 8-count Nuggets (regular or grilled).
Free desserts for all attendees!
Mix, mingle, and celebrate with STARS participants, staff, friends, and our Chick-fil-A Raintree partners.
With Gratitude,
Claudia Chavez, STARS Executive Director
