Evan Grace. Submitted photo

 A Maricopa teen will celebrate his 16th birthday this year by holding a fund-raiser to support members of the military.

Evan Grace will partner with Zoyo Neighborhood Yogurt on Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to raise money for Blue Star Mothers of Maricopa, Arizona – a local chapter of a national organization of military moms.

Zoyo is located at 21423 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 102.

Twenty percent of sales will go toward the cause when the fund-raiser is mentioned at the register before purchase. The funds will benefit care packages the organization sends to deployed troops.

This is the fourth year Grace has held an event aiding the Blue Star Mothers during his birthday month. Previously, he held sock and toiletry drives.

“It’s been a thing that I’ve been doing for a while and I think it’s good to keep supporting them,” Evan said.

Evan’s mother Merry Grace said he helped move his grandparents from Texas to Arizona this summer and in the interest of time, decided to host a fund-raiser instead of a donation drive.

“This was his solution as he still wanted to be able to help for his birthday,” Merry Grace said.

Grace said he hopes the community will help raise $300 Friday.

Tracy Davis, president of Blue Star Mothers of Maricopa, said the cash will help the organization supplement the care packages with items and, in some cases, even help pay the postage to send them.

“He’s doing something really extraordinary for a teenager because it doesn’t help him,” Davis said. “He’s doing something to help other people.”

Davis said supporters are encouraged to wear a red item of clothing on Friday to support military members. R.E.D. represents the acronym “Remember Everyone Deployed,” Davis added.

Information about Blue Star Mothers of Maricopa will be available at the event. For more details about the fundraiser visit https://www.facebook.com/events/245760965908120/