Club News

The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek is gearing up for their Community “Let’s Bag Hunger” Food Drive for the Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank and All Faith Community Services. Rotarians throughout Arizona have declared April 17-24, 2021 “Rotary Week of Service” and we invite you to join us as we conduct community service projects throughout our communities, our state and the world!

We have set a goal of collecting 32,000 pounds of non-perishable food which equals 16 tons during the “Week of Service”!!  “To accomplish this goal, the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club is inviting the whole community to become involved,” said Club President Joan Smith.  The summer months are a challenge when donations take a sharp downturn. Check your pantries or pick-up some extra cans each time you go grocery shopping.  Community members can drop off their canned food at any City of Goodyear office such as the Police Department, City Hall or Robson Reserve on Pebble Creek Parkway.

Students from Litchfield and Avondale Elementary School Districts and Agua Fria Union High School District will be doing school drives. “Learning the importance of community service and helping others spread throughout our curriculum on a daily basis” says Dr. Betsy Hargrove. Superintendent of Avondale Elementary School. “Our students are excited to get the opportunity to join Rotary on this project. Canyon View Interact Club will be working to surpass the 1300 pounds they collected last year. “Kare Bears and Rotary will be collecting in PebbleCreek. Last year they collected 3500 pounds”, said Smith. We are asking faith groups, youth groups, community organizations, businesses and others to join in the spirit of service.

Arizona ranks 5^th in the U.S. for the highest food insecurity rates. Just over one million people in Arizona are struggling with hunger, which translates to 1 in 4 children, 1 in 5 adults, and 1 in 7 seniors. These are our friends, family, coworkers and neighbors.  This year has been especially challenging due to COVID-19. The Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank serves approximately 50,000 individuals experiencing hunger annually here in the Southwest Valley. All Faith Community Services serves approximately 2000 individuals a month. Unfortunately, the communities served are some of the poorest – not only in the state, but in the country.

Each year, the Rotary Club e of Goodyear PebbleCreek engages community leaders, non-profit charities, community organizations and churches to determine local area needs.  Then through fund-raising efforts and the volunteer energy of Club members, Rotary works to improve the quality of local lives.

For more information or to volunteer to help, contact: Henry Raczkiewicz, Community Service Chair at 630-945-8812 or email goodyearrotary@gmail.com

Rotary has served our citizens in Arizona for over 100 years. Arizona is presently served by two Rotary districts (5495 and 5500) with over 3,000 members in more than 100 Rotary clubs in communities big and small. Our community projects include providing food for local food banks, supporting children in the classroom, cleaning up city streets, providing shelter for the homeless, building local playgrounds, assisting our community’s most vulnerable citizens and much, much more!

The installation of new officers for the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek took place on April 24. The dinner was hosted by out-going club president Joan. She reviewed the club's progress and achievements for the last 18 months. Major milestones recognized included membership growth of 30 members and over $35,000 donated to charitable organizations in the greater Goodyear community., including Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank, SW Family Advocacy Center, Mutts on a Mission, SW Lending Closet, Hope Community Services and four high school scholarships. The club has also planted trees at the Goodyear Community Park, collected 2800 pounds of canned food for the food bank, delivered food and book boxes during the holidays, rang bells for the Salvation Army and participate in monthly road clean-up.

 

The highlight of the evening was the recognition of John Spooler as Rotarian of the Year. "John has been a dedicated Rotarian for over 20 years and he was the inspiration and driving force to organize our Goodyear PebbleCreek Club", said Smith. "His spirit of service and charitable giving really reflects the heart and soul of our club."  Spooler, in addition to his long tenure of Rotary Club volunteer work, is also recognized as a multiple Paul Harris Fellow for generous financial giving to Rotary International. "John is the epitome of Rotary's ethic of service above self and we are fortunate to benefit from his decades of Rotary experienced," noted Smith

At our June 20th meeting, President Elect Charlie Miller presented $500 checks to two great local charities from our club foundation. Executive Director Ann DeVlaeminck accepted the check. Southwest Lending Closet loans durable home health equipment free of charge to those in need. Contact: southwestlendingcloset.org, (623) 932-1016.

 

Therapy Paws/Mutts on a Mission was represented by President Kathleen Malony and her therapy dog Finnley. Their mission is to provide comfort through animal pet therpy to those who have physical and emotional needs. Currently, they are partners with Abrazo Hospital, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Copper Springs Behavioral Hospital and Goodyear Library. Contact: kathleen.malony@cox.net, (844)387-4847