The idea to help those in need began with an idle day where David Gillette felt he needed to put himself to better use. So, with that in mind, he raised funds, bought some pizzas and then handed them out to the homeless in downtown Phoenix. Helping the homeless was the start of Purpose Movement, a non-profit led by David and Shannon Gillette. The two are also owners of the Gillette Group, one of the largest real estate firms in Arizona. In addition, Shannon hosts the show American Dream on HGTV.
The desire to give back and focus their efforts locally is something that both David and Shannon are clearly passionate about. David says that when tackling the problem of homelessness he wondered about the root cause and discovered that 25-33% of those sleeping on the street come from the foster care system. As a result, they both felt that if kids in the system saw that people actually cared, and that they were loved and supported, perhaps it might help to break the pipeline from foster care to homelessness.
Officially begun in 2018, Purpose Movement has grown in their reach and their events. Recently in July they hosted their annual 'Back to School to Remember' in which they took hundreds of foster kids and kids from group homes shopping for school supplies. The most requested item is a pair of new shoes, since many of them come with shoes that are too small or too worn. Each child got a volunteer to walk with them around the store to make sure they got what they needed and in the right size. Shannon says that often these kids are beyond excited about the simple things, like new shoes, that we take for granted or routine.
The Gillettes and through their non profit, Purpose Movement, also host a Prom Night for teen girls in the foster care system. They give the girls a chance to buy a dress, get their hair and make up done, and then they host them for a dance party with music and food. In a bid to give them not only the chance to dress up, but to make normal teen memories filled with laughter and fun. "One of my favorite things we do is we don't just come in their lives and leave, we have been consistent throughout the year.' he says. Shannon adds, 'We see the same kids and get to know them as they grow.'
The 'Back to School to Remember' is actually an offshoot of their original event called 'A Christmas to Remember'. This year they hope to treat 300 foster kids to $100 each at Walmart to do their Christmas shopping. Through the help of corporate sponsors and volunteers they assign one adult to each child to help them create a Christmas to truly remember. Shannon says they can go all the way up to 600 foster kids but need the volunteers in order to do so. The event will be held on Sunday, December 14th from 8am-12pm, and volunteers can bring the whole family. The Gillettes, who have been Queen Creek residents since 2006, love their town and acknowledge that it is a very kind and giving community filled with great families. However, few even know that there are group homes and foster kids right here in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley.
The couple, who have three boys, say that few people even realize that some of the kids at their school could be from the foster care system. Even their sons have run into classmates at the events they throw and didn't even know their background. Shannon and David both come from disadvantaged, single mother households and they know what these acts of kindness can mean to these kids. Some, when given the chance to spend $100, ask for things like milk and blankets, or even to buy something for their siblings instead. For the Gillette's raising awareness of this issue right here in Queen Creek is just as important. Driven by their faith, they even give a portion of their proceeds to their non profit.
In addition to providing opportunities for school and holiday shopping they also host Cookies with Santa and Easter Egg hunts on site for the foster kids as well. One thing is clear, the more smiles they can put on children's faces, the more committed they are to the cause.
To learn more and volunteer yourself, you can register at www.purpose-movement.com