March 27
Our speaker was Erik Arriola, Executive Director of the Superstition Community Food Bank in Apache Junction, who spoke about the many everyday challenges it faces as it works to meet the growing needs of families and individuals requesting food assistance. Overall, food insecurities are on the rise, due to general all-around increases in the cost of living. In 2023 the Food Bank served more than 42,000 individuals in Maricopa and Pinal and needs additional support to help keep up with growing needs. Due to the rising costs of everything, donation dollars don't go as far today to purchase the same amount of food. Volunteers are also always needed to assist with a wide variety of tasks. To learn more about Superstition Community Food Bank and how you can help - https://superstitionfoodbank.org/
March 20
Club member Bill Pettus, Past Club President, Past District Governor. and Past Rotary Foundation Co-ordinator, spoke to the Club about The Rotary Peace Fellowship, which is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Rotary Peace Fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 fellowships for certificate studies at premier universities. These dedicated individuals from around the world study at one of the Rotary Peace Centers. Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,400 fellows who now work in more than 115 countries. Many serve as leaders in education, business, trade, research, law, journalism, governments, NGOs, the military, education, police and law enforcement, and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
For more information about Rotary Peace Fellowships -
For more information about Rotary Peace Centers -
March 13
Shawna Dorner, Marketing/Sponsorship Manager for Apache Junction Little League, and her son Jaxsen spoke to the Club about the Apache Junction Little League team. Jaxsen has been interested in baseball from a very young age. He spoke about how much he has benefited from participating in Little League. Shawna explained about Apache Junction Little League's constant need for volunteers and donations to help support the League, players, and equipment. Their focus is to keep player expenses as low as possible to help offer the 'Little League experience' to any child who wants to participate, regardless of a family's economic circumstances. The 'Little League experience' helps to build team spirit, sportsmanship, group participation, and more -- character traits that help support a child throughout their life.
The Club presented Shawna and Jaxsen with a check for Little League. More funding from individuals and community groups is needed to help keep the team and organization vibrant and provide for needed items.
For more info -
or
The online store for 'fan wear' -
March 6
Our speaker was Daniel Hoop, Chairman of the Board at 33Buckets.org. The mission of 33buckets.org is to empower communities through improved access to clean water and sanitation. Their vision is a world in which clean water and sanitation are a stepping stone to prosperity in all communities. Clean water and sanitation is a global issue. Annually there are nearly 500,000 deaths resulting from water-born illnesses. Some accomplishments have been to launch clean water and/or sanitation projects in 24 communities, improve access to clean water and sanitation for more than 8,800 individuals, develop sanitation and hygiene solutions, and water treatment solutions, as well as provide a variety of additional training, education, and resources.
The non-profit organization has close ties with Arizona State University (ASU). Some funding is from grants, however, the group needs private funding to keep growing the organization. For more information and to learn how you can help support the group - 33buckets.org