BIG bears - little bears ------- more teddy bears and stuffed animals are still needed!
Superstition Mountain Rotary is participating in this year's 'Teddy Bear' drive which focuses on collecting donations of new teddy-bears/animals for 'Trolls Teddy Bear Run'.
Donations must be new/never used and can be made between now and end of November at our weekly Wednesday Rotary meetings.
If you're not a Rotarian, but still want to help provide some new stuffed teddy bears/animals? ----- Not a problem- the club's Service Projects Chair will be happy to collect your new bears/stuffed animals and deliver your donation. You can contact Jeff at jmitchellrecr@gmail.com.
'Trolls Teddy Bear Run' organization is a 501(c)3 focused on providing stuffed animals/teddy bears for police / first-responders / family advocacy centers, to have on hand to be able to give a 'fuzzy friend' to children encountered during traumatic situations. Often times, young children involved in these situations can be quite upset and traumatized. Being able to receive a 'fluffy/fuzzy teddy bear /animal friend' from the first responder can help to ease the tension / trauma the young child is experiencing.
2022 will be the 7th year for 'Trolls Teddy Bear Run', which occurs on the 1st Saturday in December each year.
Motorcycle riders participate in the event, riding through a course with various stops throughout the East Valley, where raffles, prizes, food and more await them - making it a fun day for all the riders.
This year Superstition Mountain Rotary, along with other area service organizations and community residents, will work through the end of November collecting donations of new stuffed teddy bears/animals. Help our first responders ease the tension and trauma of young children they encounter with your donations of new stuffed teddy bears/animals.
Superstition Mountain Rotary Club was pleased to be one of a number of local area non-profits, service organizations and community service groups participating in the Oct 22 'Chili Challenge' which was held to support 'Superstition Community Food Bank'. 'Superstition Fire & Medical District' vs 'Apache Junction Police Department' participated in the 'battle of the badges' for chili honors. And battling it out in the service organization category were - ' American Legion Post 27', 'Buckboard Ministries', 'Kiwanis Club of Apache Junction', 'Other Side Ministries', 'Superstition Mountain Rotary Club' and 'VFW 7968 Apache Junction, Az'. Jeffrey Mitchell represented 'Superstition Mountain Rotary' with his chili entry. 'Best in show' honors were awarded to 'American Legion Post 27' and 'Apache Junction Police Department'. A good time was had by all who participated and attended the event.
You can reach out directly to 'Superstition Community Food Bank' if you are looking for ways to support them. Community support is always needed, but even more so in today's environment where more individuals are contacting them in need of help. For more information about how you can help support them --https://superstitionfoodbank.org/donate/
Several club members participated in 'Apache Junction Make a Difference Day' on Saturday, October 8. The event brought together volunteers from the city, faith community, clubs and organizations, non-profits, businesses and individual volunteers who all share a common mission to help where needs exist within the local community. Work sites included raking, cleaning and and organizing a variety of areas, as well as trash pick-up and more.
Michael Hughes-CEO and Dana Martinez-Chief Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Sierra Bes - Community Engagement Coordinator from ' CAAFA - A New Leaf ' shared information about the merger of 'CAAFA' with 'A New Leaf' and how the combination of the two organizations has increased their reach and resources, allowing them to assist more individuals and families. The organization offers a wide range of support and services to individuals and families in need - ie housing and shelter services -- sexual and domestic violence services.
As all non-profits, the organization is seeing more people with needs as a result of Covid and the difficult economy -- and therefore find they need more donations/support from the community so they can provide help to more individuals and families needing help.
James Wilson, Assistant General Manager of Arizona Water - was inducted as our newest Club member.
October 19
Our speaker was Brandi Hunsaker, President of the Apache Junction Little League. Her presentation included memories about many of the Little League players from over the years. She spoke about the challenges and rewards of the program -- and how much the program helps young people in our community. A goal of the program has been to keep the program as low cost as possible for young people to be able to participate and play the sport. Also she shared that the donation made by the Club to the league in February had allowed them to purchase 3 new sets of catchers gear for this coming season. Today the Club was able to surprise her with another donation of $750 to help with needed equipment, funds to assist with 'pay-to-play', and other player needs, which will allow more deserving young people the opportunity to participate in sports.
David Ramirez, 'Public Information Officer of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport', shared a very informative presentation with photos and facts about all that has been happening at Sky Harbor. Airlines have added more routes. There has been much growth, with more updates and features still planned.
David also shared fun info, such as available motorist service, if as example, a person cannot find their car in the parking garage, or they are out of gas, etc -- the sky train which people like a lot -- planning air traffic for the upcoming Super Bowl / many visitors the event will bring to Phoenix -- musical events at the airport -- pet relief areas -- and more.
October 5
Our speaker was Nancy Fassbender, representing Wreaths Across America / Pinal County Veterans Memorial Foundation and author of 'My Fallen Hero'.
Nancy has been very active in a variety of activities and events throughout several years which focus on honoring military veterans. She shared information about several upcoming events to honor veterans and military - 'Celebrations of Veterans' on Sun- Nov 13th in Gold Canyon in Gold Canyon , 'National Wreaths Across America Remembrance Day' on Dec 17th in Mesa, and on March 25th, 2023 the '50th Anniversary Welcome Home Veterans Day' also in Mesa. The public is invited to all these events.
She gave lapel pins to veterans who were in attendance, in recognition of their service.
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BIG bears - little bears ------- more teddy bears and stuffed animals are still needed!
Superstition Mountain Rotary Club was pleased to be one of a number of local area non-profits, service organizations and community service groups participating in the Oct 22 'Chili Challenge' which was held to support 'Superstition Community Food Bank'. 
Several club members participated in 'Apache Junction Make a Difference Day' on Saturday, October 8. 
Michael Hughes-CEO and Dana Martinez-Chief Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Sierra Bes - Community Engagement Coordinator
James Wilson, Assistant General Manager of Arizona Water - was inducted as our newest Club member
Our speaker was Brandi Hunsaker, President of the Apache Junction Little League. Her presentation included memories about many of the Little League players from over the years. She spoke about the challenges and rewards of the program -- and how much the program helps young people in our community. A goal of the program has been to keep the program as low cost as possible for young people to be able to participate and play the sport. 
David Ramirez, 'Public Information Officer of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport', shared a very informative presentation with photos and facts about all that has been happening at Sky Harbor. Airlines have added more routes. There has been much growth, with more updates and features still planned. 
Our speaker was Nancy Fassbender, representing Wreaths Across America / Pinal County Veterans Memorial Foundation and author of 'My Fallen Hero'.