Phoenix, Ariz., November 20, 2009. This holiday season, AAA Arizona is hoping to spread holiday cheer with a statewide drive that aims to collect toys as well as one of the most needed items by food banks: peanut butter. The auto club is hoping to deliver in a big way—with a goal of raising 1,000 jars of the sticky spread.

Through Friday, Dec. 4, AAA Arizona is encouraging members and non-members to donate plastic jars of peanut butter and new, unwrapped toys at any of its statewide branch locations.

“Through the generosity of employees, AAA members and members of the community, last year we were able to donate 1,000 jars of peanut butter to food banks and across the state,” said Mike Tully, president and CEO of AAA Arizona. “Given the success of last year’s drive, coupled with the fact that peanut butter remains at the top of food bank wish lists year round, we decided to make it the focus of this year’s drive once again.” 

Peanut butter and toys donated in the Phoenix metropolitan area will be donated to St. Mary’s Food Bank and the Family Service Agency, respectively. Peanut butter and toys collected in the Tucson area will be donated to the Salvation Army of Tucson and the Tucson Community Food Bank. Items collected in the Prescott area will be donated to the Salvation Army of Prescott.

Toys sought in the drive include footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, baseball bats and gloves, bike helmets, children's bikes, toy cars and trucks, board games, dolls, stuffed animals, backpacks, CD players, Disney CDs, Nerf toys, Play Doh sets, blocks, Fisher Price toys and princess or dress-up items.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists.  Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.  In 2008, AAA was ranked the No. 1 “socially responsible” brand by Landor’s BrandAsset® Valuator.