Podcast Content


The Life of a Baller with Frank DeBlasi

Our featured guest on this episode is Frank DeBlasi, Founder of The Baller Dream Foundation, formerly known as Ballsfest, a non-profit organization that lifts the spirits of children and young adults affected by cancer. In our first Season, Frank shared how his struggle with cancer led him to create this incredible nonprofit to raise the spirits of kids with cancer through amazing personalized gifts, such as college funds, trips and once in a lifetime experiences. Since founding The Baller Dream Foundation in 2013, Frank has provided gifts of hope to 70 young cancer warriors. He has grown the organization to seven states (AZ, NV, CA, AL, FL, NY, NJ) and although he is based in Arizona, Frank travels to each of those states and visits with every "Baller" several times, cultivating personal lifelong relationships with them and their families. Listen to his first podcast episode here: frank-deblasi-of-the-ballsfest-nonprofiti

Mark and Frank talk about the incredible fundraising event held last month at a private home in PV where Mark and his daughters cooked and served Paella to the nearly 200 guests in attendance. At the end of each event, Frank gives each "baller" their time in the spotlight to talk about themselves and their hobbies, wishes, etc. before they are surprised with one of their big wishes being granted!! The look on the children's faces and their parents when these wishes are granted is incredibly heartwarming and it's no wonder Frank has dedicated the past 9 years of his life to keep this foundation flourishing… even despite the year-long pandemic!

Helping the Homeless with Jason Barlow & Chris Owen of Habitat for Humanity

In today’s episode, Mark speaks with Jason Barlow, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona and Chris Owen, former Banking Executive turned Real Estate Agent and Chairman of the Board at Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. Habitat is celebrating their 35th year in the Valley of the Sun and have now built more than 1,160 homes and renovated or repaired thousands more since 1985. “As long as God continues to bless us with amazing volunteers and generous sponsors like you, we will continue to grow our efforts,” says Barlow.

The need for housing has become more essential than ever given the pandemic and hot real estate market here in Phoenix, and Habitat for Humanity fills this need for many locals struggling to afford housing. Since the outbreak, 12 new homes have been completed and their five Habitat ReStores have reopened for business along with their offices. The Habitat Central AZ team is currently planning the construction of 46 new homes through next Spring, and hundreds of other homes will be repaired or renovated.

In a past podcast episode, we recorded on-site of a Habitat home build where we interviewed Jason Barlow, a few volunteers and even the man who was going to be inhabiting this new house! He was there helping out as well and his joy was so apparent and touching and he had a sense of pride as he got to help build the house as well. Definitely go back and give that episode page a view as there are some great photos and a great podcast interview: candelariadesign.com/podcast-content/habitat 

Last June, Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona hosted a virtual fundraiser. Stearns Bank, Cullum Homes and hundreds of others joined host Carey Peña, and special guests Larry Fitzgerald and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner for a virtual fundraising night that raised $270,000 for the organization. Guests enjoyed inspirational messages from Fitzgerald and Warner, while also hearing the stories of families impacted by the generosity of Habitat for Humanity supporters, to view a recap of the event, click here: e.givesmart.com/events/hoD/

There are so many ways to get involved with this organization and all of the wonderful ways they make an impact on so many lives by building homes, visit their website linked below for more info!

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