Judy Williams, co-director of Kids’ Closet.
Thanksgiving food baskets
Nan Nasser
SaddleBrooke Community Outreach will once again prepare Thanksgiving food baskets for eligible families in the Oracle area. We expect to assemble 30 baskets for families at Mountain Vista School as well as people at the Mountain Health & Wellness Center, also in Oracle.
These baskets include a turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, rolls, pies and probably Cool Whip! You are invited to make donations of the above items by leaving them at Suite L in the SaddleBrooke Commercial Center. The hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and questions can be answered by the co-chairs Joan and Rich Roberts at 825-7577, or [email protected].
Cash donations are also appreciated; checks can be made out to SBCO/Thanksgiving Food. Baskets will be delivered November 24, and volunteers are welcome to sort the baskets on site. Contact the Roberts to join us. All surplus items will be taken to the Tri-Community Food Bank, which provides services to the Oracle community.
Two girls reading a book.
SBCO meeting on education
Nan Nasser
Part of the mission statement of SaddleBrooke Community Outreach is “To make a positive impact on the lives of needy school children in neighboring communities through higher scholastic achievement.”
With that mission we have a very active (energetic!) education committee in SBCO. The November 10 (Monday) SBCO general program will feature our education committee and some of the activities we have supported in this past year. That will take place at the MountainView Country Club Ballroom at 3:00 p.m. and is open to anyone interested in learning more about ways in which we assist with education in our 100-mile service area.
Local organizations in our area are invited to submit applications for funding a variety of enrichment programs. The general program will feature the bookshelf program where youngsters north of us join a reading program that culminates with each child receiving a bookcase that contains new books. The shelves are made by area high school students with lumber given to the school for this project. Did you know that every child who comes to Kids’ Closet receives two books to take home? Encouraging kids to read is a large part of their academic success.
Representatives from College for Kids are also expected to share a few stories about this summer program that takes place at the Araviapa Campus of Central Arizona Community College. It is primarily a science-themed two-week session with a different emphasis each year.
Please join us on November 10! You might find a perfect opportunity to help a child in a neighboring community.
A child getting a hot breakfast at the 2013 Walkathon.
New things happening
Nan Nasser
The mission of SaddleBrooke Community Outreach is to make a positive impact on the lives of needy children in neighboring communities by improving self-esteem, school attendance, and scholastic achievement. We begin with Kids’ Closet where eligible children, selected by school administrators, can receive seasonal wardrobes of all new clothing. A similar program called Teen Closet takes high school students on a shopping trip twice a year for school appropriate items. Education includes tutoring, support of enrichment programs and college scholarships. Support of the Tri-Community Food Bank in Mammoth helps keep the shelves stocked for needy families in its service area.
And now we are looking at additional ways to support our kids. President Maggie de Block and Executive VP Joan Roberts met with Lisa Armenta, Community Schools Director, and Joanna Diaz, Food Service Director, both employed by the Mammoth/San Manuel School District, to discuss a weekend backpack program of food items for eligible students. The percent of eligible students for the National Free and Reduced Lunch Program at Mammoth Elementary School is 89% and at 1st Avenue Elementary School in San Manuel the percent is 78%. One youngster arrived at school on Monday stating he had eaten only one hot dog all weekend. This project is in the planning stage, with exciting possibilities.
SBCO is also planning a career day at San Manuel Jr/Sr High School in March to highlight post-graduation programs other than a traditional four-year college. Judy Kany and Mary Kay Stein have been contacting area community colleges and numerous trade programs to tell potential high school graduates about opportunities within their fields. The tentative date for this program is March 3, 2015.
SBCO is 100% volunteer, serving kids from Catalina to San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Our service area is 100 miles long, through an area of chronic poverty in Arizona. If you are interested in getting involved call President Maggie de Block at 818-7835, and visit our office at Suite L in the SaddleBrooke Commercial Center Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Our November general program will feature some of the education aspects of SBCO. Join us on November 10 at 3:00 p.m. in the Mountainview Ballroom. Learn about ways you can get involved with these youngsters. These kids are our future.
A young lady getting a windbreaker. Photo by Nan Nasser.
It takes a village to make a difference
Dorothy Moore
Fall is generally the time that children go back to school with new clothes, sharp pencils and eager smiles! As a result of your generosity, many needy children north of SaddleBrooke look forward to the new school year because it brings hot meals, the services of a nurse, warm classrooms and a visit to Kids’ Closet to get some new school outfits. These needy children are living in the chronic poverty area running through Mammoth, up to Superior, and across to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.
The youngsters who do visit Kids’ Closet receive a windbreaker, sweatshirt and even a knitted hat to make it easier to wait for the school bus. With your help SaddleBrooke Community Outreach has provided backpacks filled with basic school supplies geared to the various academic levels for the second year. New sneakers help the children run faster in gym classes and keep their feet warm! And they also receive two reading books, which are often the only books they own.
All the clothing received by the children is new, purchased at specific conventions. Your tax deductible contributions help SaddleBrooke Community Outreach, a 501(c)(3) charity, buy these items. Won’t you help us help our kids?
Your gift may be on behalf of a friend or family member, in memory of a special person, or even to honor a particular event. You will receive an acknowledgement of your donation and we will send a letter to notify the appropriate recipient.
Donations can be made at www.community-outreach.org by using PayPal or by mailing your donation to SaddleBrooke Community Outreach, 63675 E. SaddleBrooke Blvd., Suite L, Tucson, AZ 85739.
If you have questions, please contact Dorothy Moore at 520-818-1347. Let’s make a difference. Help change a child’s life for the better!