10/09/2026
Sometimes the reasons we give begin long before we have anything to give.
For Brenda and Graz Graziano, Presenting Sponsors of this year’s SIPS Party, their connection to Self Help is rooted in experiences that began decades ago.
Both grew up in hardworking families where money was often tight. Graz remembers missing a school field trip because his parents couldn’t find the 50 cents it cost to attend.
At 14, he began working full time to help support his family.
They don’t share those memories seeking sympathy. Instead, they share them because of what those years taught them.
“They taught us that every person deserves respect regardless of their circumstances. Most importantly, they taught us that financial hardship says nothing about a person’s worth.”
It’s also what drew them to Self Help:
“They don’t see clients. They see neighbors.”
The belief that every neighbor deserves dignity, opportunity and someone willing to invest in what comes next is the heartbeat of SIPS.
As Self Help’s sole annual fundraising event, SIPS helps fuel the critical programs and resources our neighbors rely on throughout the year. Sponsorships make the evening possible while helping ensure the funds raised can go further in supporting that work.
For Brenda and Graz, serving as Presenting Sponsors is simply another way to invest in the community they love.
As Graz puts it, “When we invest in our neighbors, we strengthen our entire community.”
Read the full story here: https://blufftonselfhelp.org/more-than-a-sponsor-why-the-grazianos-believe-in-investing-in-their-neighbors/
