10-year-old Phoenix girl awarded pizza for a year in recognition of charitable service
Dec 9, 2024, 4:45 AM
PHOENIX — North Phoenix’s Mara Northey, 10, won free pizza for a year from Spinato’s Pizzeria in recognition of her charitable work focused on providing shoes to the homeless, the pizza company announced Friday.
Nearing her collection goal of 250 walking shoes, Mara was named the winner of the Spinato’s “Nice List” contest, which ran alongside two other contests under the Spinato’s Holiday Kindness Challenge banner from Nov. 1-17. The tri-part campaign collaborated with Frost Communications to promote Amazon MGM Studios’ movie, “Red One,” that is currently in theaters across the nation.
“Nice List” nominees specifically were tasked with sharing their story at any of the six Valley locations. All contestants had to do was buy a slice of pizza and submit the name of someone in their life who has “gone above and beyond to spread kindness and joy.”
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Spinato’s said it was especially impressed with how motivated Mara was to positively impact the lives of so many in her area. That ultimately made her win a reality.
Mara began doing community outreach before the age of 3 and conducted her most recent work on behalf of Trevor’s Vision, an Anthem-based organization that serves the north and central Phoenix homeless.
“Mara is always looking for ways to make the community better. Her heart is huge, and she is happiest when she’s giving back,” Kelli Northey, Mara’s mother, said in a press release.
Jaime Spinato, the head of community outreach for Spinato’s, said they are helping Mara reach her shoe goal in time for Trevor Vision’s holiday event on Dec. 19. The family-owned restaurant is donating $1,500 worth of shoes and some top representatives will join Mara and her family at the celebration. They will also provide pizza for up to 250 guests and volunteers at the host site.
The homeless advocates group has been actively supporting Mara in her efforts on social media the past two months.
“When we started Trevor’s Vision, we provided meals, but our services have evolved to be much more than that,” Co-founder of Trevor’s Vision Jeff Kistler said in the release. “We want to bring people to the table, get to know them, and find out how we can help them get off the streets.”
Why does this prize coming from Spinato’s mean more to the Phoenix girl?
The yearlong gift is extra special for Mara, who has loved the pizza joint as long as she can remember. After she was pronounced the contest winner, Mara ate her favorite half cheese, half sausage Italian pie with her parents, Kelli and Bryan.
Mara said she hopes to become a food scientist when she is grown up.
“We go to Spinato’s almost weekly after my ice skating and competitive dance classes, and their pizza is so delicious,” Mara said in the release. “It’s amazing to win Pizza for a Year, and we are very grateful for Spinato’s support with my shoe drive. I believe it’s important to give others hope, especially when they are struggling. It’s also important to be kind to others, even when you don’t know them. A little generosity can change someone’s life.”
