Save the date and plan to sponsor and/or participate in a fund-raiser event. Our club is teaming up with Superstition Community Food Bank on a fun evening with all proceeds going towards helping support the community.
Club member Ed Shockley recently delivered needed supplies to 'Community Alliance Against Family Abuse' (CAAFA / A New Leaf) on behalf of the Club. Pictured is Dona Janssen, who accepted the donations for the organization.
Founded in 1998, CAAFA is the first and only non-profit sexual and domestic abuse service provider in Northern Pinal County. The organization focuses on empowering individuals and families in the community to be free from abuse. Community members founded CAAFA in Apache Junction when they learned that local victims of domestic violence and their children were living in their cars and out in the desert. Seeing survivors had nowhere else to go, they created the shelter and support services that help 470 survivors annually. Survivors can find help with the 16-bed emergency shelter, support groups, legal advocacy, case management, sexual assault victim advocacy, food boxes, community outreach services, and more.
In 2021, CAAFA merged with the non-profit, 'A New Leaf'. Since 1971, 'A New Leaf' has assisted those most in need in our community, helping families, children, and adults overcome their challenges.
CAAFA is always in need of additional donations and financial support so they can provide the needed support.
For more info about how you can get involved or donate -
With the new 2025-2026 school year getting underway, Club members participated in a service project that focused on supporting teachers at the Peralta Trails Elementary School by collecting a wide assortment of items needed by teachers that will help them be more productive in their respective classrooms. The collection included such items as paper, pens, hand sanitizer, tissues, and similar items that teachers need to help them do their best job of teaching young people in the classrooms. Teachers often must end up using their own money to purchase these needed classroom items, because there is not adequate school-funding to support all the various needs. Teachers appreciate any support that individuals or groups can provide them with.
If you are looking for ways to help support our local teachers and students - For more info about Peralta Trails Elementary School -- https://ptes.ajusd.org/ and also for the entire Apache Junction School District - https://www.ajusd.org/home
Apache Junction City Manager, Bryant Powell, shared an update about many of the various issues going on within Apache Junction. There are new developments, new businesses, along with a wide variety of other issues the city is involved with, as our local area continues to grow. Additionally, Bryant provided updates and information about various ballot issues local area voters will be voting on in the upcoming election.
Bryant is a long-time Rotary member. It is always very informative for Club members when he comes to speak to the Club about things affecting our community. For more information -
Our special guests were Fire Chief of Superstition Fire & Medical District, John Whitney, Firefighter Layni Rodriguez, and Captain Colt Weddell. Chief Whitney provided the group with information and updates about our local Fire District, including information about an upcoming Bond Proposal that will be on the November ballot.
The Superstition Fire & Medical District will hold a special bond election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The District seeks voter approval to issue bonds that will provide funds for facility construction and improvements, acquisition of apparatus, vehicles, and equipment, and other costs. The cost of personnel equipment (helmets, coats, gloves, etc.) to equip our public safety personnel has more than doubled since 2019. The cost of breathing apparatuses alone has nearly tripled in that time. Many of the district's vehicles are years past their service date, with rising repair costs and risks of being out of service. Several vehicles are near the end of their useful life and may take up to three years to replace.
Additionally, the growth in new homes and businesses in the area has created a larger area and more residents that the fire personnel are tasked to keep safe. The November bond would include funding for a new fire station (Station 266) to serve the Superstition Vistas area, which was annexed into the Superstition Fire & Medical District in 2021.
Stephanie Earle, Secretary for the 'Apache Junction Black and Gold Youth Football and Cheer' organization, spoke to us about the group's mission to teach sportsmanship, teamwork, strength, character, discipline, and dedication by aiding youth and helping to provide opportunities for them to participate in sports programs. The youth sports organization relies upon financial support from businesses, non-profit groups, and individuals in our community to provide opportunities for young people who want to participate in sports. Through donations and sponsorships, 'Black & Gold' can help deserving, but underprivileged, youth have the opportunities to participate in 'pay-to-play' sports programs. A goal is that no young person who wants to participate in the sports programs will be left behind, unable to participate in sports due to financial challenges.
The Club was honored to provide a donation check to help support the youth program.
The group continues to need additional support. For more info about how you can become involved -
Our meeting marked the beginning of the Rotary 2025-2026 calendar year. Assistant Governor Jon Lyons inducted new 2025-2026 Club President, Dodie Doolittle. Dodie introduced the new 2025-2026 Board, along with some plans for the upcoming calendar year. She also shared information about the 'teacher bags' service project for Peralta Trails Elementary School teachers. Past President Roberta Holmes shared a brief recap of activities, fund-raisers, and service projects that shaped the past year and recognized some special club members for outstanding service.
Jon Lyons spoke to the Club about various things occurring within the District and Rotary International. Also sharing information was Dan Coons, from District 5495. A few Queen Creek Rotary Club members were in attendance and were presented with an appreciation check for volunteer support and participation in the Lost Dutchman Rodeo fund-raiser.
Apache Junction City Manager, Bryant Powell, shared an update about many of the various issues going on within Apache Junction. There are new developments, new businesses, along with a wide variety of other issues the city is involved with, as our local area continues to grow. Additionally, Bryant provided updates and information about various ballot issues local area voters will be voting on in the upcoming election. 
Our special guests were Fire Chief of Superstition Fire & Medical District, John Whitney, 
Stephanie Earle, Secretary for the 'Apache Junction Black and Gold Youth Football and Cheer' organization, spoke to us about the group's mission to teach sportsmanship, teamwork, strength, character, discipline, and dedication by aiding youth and helping to provide opportunities for them to participate in sports programs. The youth sports organization relies upon financial support from businesses, non-profit groups, and individuals in our community to provide opportunities for young people who want to participate in sports. Through donations and sponsorships, 'Black & Gold' can help deserving, but underprivileged, youth have the opportunities to participate in 'pay-to-play' sports programs. A goal is that no young person who wants to participate in the sports programs will be left behind, unable to participate in sports due to financial challenges.
Our meeting marked the beginning of the Rotary 2025-2026 calendar year. Assistant Governor Jon Lyons inducted new 2025-2026 Club President, Dodie Doolittle. Dodie introduced the new 2025-2026 Board, along with some plans for the upcoming calendar year. She also shared information about the 'teacher bags' service project for Peralta Trails Elementary School teachers.