Club members Sharon Stinard and Jeffrey Mitchell represented the Club at the 2024 Apache Junction High School scholarship award ceremony on May 6, and presented scholarships to 7 Apache Junction High School students. Selection of the recipients was based on criteria including academics, economic need and essays from the students. It was a very difficult decision selecting only 7 winners.
Superstition Mountain Rotary Club has been awarding scholarships to students at Apache Junction High School for more than 25 years. Over the years, total scholarship dollars awarded have exceeded more than $175,000. Annually, the Club's major fund raisers are used to help fund these scholarships. These events include such golf tournaments, Lost Dutchman Rodeo Days, Lost Dutchman Marathon-8k, along with other fund raising events.
We were fortunate to have not just one, but two speakers at the May 22nd meeting. Both Trinity Frey, representing Genesis Project, and Larry Caywood, representing Gold Canyon Methodist Food Bank, spoke to the Club about their respective organizations and the work they do to help serve the homeless, as well as individuals with food insecurities and challenges - those who are struggling to obtain food and provide nutrition for their families.
Trinity Frey shared information about the Genesis Project, located in Apache Junction. The group provides food and meals, and also a wide range of additional needs and services focused on helping the homeless population in our area. They provide hot meals served from 12-2 Sunday through Friday, and other food supplies. There is a Clothing Closet. They offer Secure Lockers that provide a safe indoor space for individuals to store items. They are a resource as a Mailing Address for those who have no address. The organization acts as a Services Navigator, and also a one-stop-shop Community Resources Center that helps provide connections and information for a wide variety of much-needed social services. Their services are all provided free of charge to those in need. The organization is non-profit and relies on grants and donations from other organizations, businesses, and individuals for their funding and support. Volunteers are always needed to help with food services, the clothing closet, and other services. Donations are very welcome.
Larry Caywood shared information about Gold Canyon Methodist Food Bank, located in Gold Canyon. The Food Bank provides food boxes and emergency food supplies for those in need. They rely on donation funds from individuals and organizations, and food/merchandise supplied by merchants. They also need volunteers to help with food services, as well as ongoing donations so they can continue to provide the services they offer.
Both organizations were presented with a donation to support their work helping those in need in our community.
May 22
Apache Junction Chief of Police, Michael Pooley updated the Club about how the police department is working to successfully stay on top of community happenings, and the work the police is doing to keep residents all safe. Topics included updates about officer recruitment, information about technology updates, the City of Apache Junction's receipt of a grant from the Arizona Department of Education that will provide for additional elementary school resource officers, information about the 'AJPD Youth Academy' for 6-8th graders, questions about young people safety and concerns about youth gang issues in some surrounding communities, questions about how Arizona deals with squatters ... and more.
The Apache Junction Police Department and officers work throughout the year with the entire community. They participate in a wide range of community events, providing a positive presence at those events. At times there are programs such as 'Coffee with a Cop', 'Angels on Patrol', and 'Shop with a Cop' ... various programs and opportunities that help the officers serve the community in ways beyond simply patrolling the streets and dealing with law offenders.
Liz Langenbach, Director of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation, shared insights, programs and updates about work happening within the Apache Junction parks systems. Of particular interest is the evolving construction of new parks and green areas in the new Apache Junction development called 'Blossom Rock' at Superstition Vistas. 'Blossom Rock' is a master-planned community located at the Northeast corner of Ironwood and Ray Rd in Apache Junction. Builders currently include - Brookfield Residential, David Weekley Homes, Lennar, Pulte Homes and Tri Pointe Homes. The current development plan includes three large community parks that will eventually be a central gathering space for families and neighbors. Planned are green spaces, game courts, dog parks, and more.
Apache Junction Parks and Recreation will play a large role as this new community is developed and residents begin to reside in the area.
Club member Brian Kabat, owner of multiple Ace hardware stores throughout our area, shared several interesting stories about his life, family, business and Rotary experiences.
Brian began working in the hardware store business at a very young age, working in mom and dad's hardware store in Michigan. As he grew up, progressing through his educational experiences, he married and started his family, moved to Arizona, and began his own career as an Ace Hardware store owner. Today Brian owns several Ace Hardware stores throughout our area, and plans to add more over time. He strives to provide good products, great staff, and friendly service -- and also focuses on his stores helping to be a part of, and supportive of, the communities where they are located. His stores participate in a variety of community events, as well as providing in-store opportunities to help non-profit causes, such as customers being able to 'round up' their purchases to help support local charities, Ace is always looking for ways to be supportive of the community. Rotary and Rotary events have benefited from Brian's support throughout the years.
Brian also likes to focus on his stores being a friendly and informative place where people can feel comfortable asking questions if needed, and also making the stores a fun place to shop - with features such as in-store freshly popped popcorn and other fun stuff. For more info about Brian's Ace Hardware stores - https://kabatsace.com/
May 1
Our program today was a 'member spotlight' by long time Rotary Club member, Harvey Clark. Harvey shared several interesting stories about his life, business and Rotary experiences.
Harvey spent many years in law enforcement, serving in a variety of career positions. He shared a number of entertaining, as well as some scary stories, about cases he has been involved with over the years. He also talked about working on writing a book about his career experiences and interesting cases he has been a part of. He is hopeful it will be published, and/or developed into a script.
A long time member of the club, Harvey served as President (2010-11 and 2020-21), as well as Program Chair.
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Trinity Frey shared information about the Genesis Project, located in Apache Junction. The group provides food and meals, and also a wide range of additional needs and services focused on helping the homeless population in our area. They provide hot meals served from 12-2 Sunday through Friday, and other food supplies. There is a Clothing Closet. They offer Secure Lockers that provide a safe indoor space for individuals to store items. They are a resource as a Mailing Address for those who have no address. The organization acts as a Services Navigator, and also a one-stop-shop Community Resources Center that helps provide connections and information for a wide variety of much-needed social services. Their services are all provided free of charge to those in need. The organization is non-profit and relies on grants and donations from other organizations, businesses, and individuals for their funding and support. Volunteers are always needed to help with food services, the clothing closet, and other services. Donations are very welcome. 
Larry Caywood shared information about Gold Canyon Methodist Food Bank, located in Gold Canyon. The Food Bank provides food boxes and emergency food supplies for those in need. They rely on donation funds from individuals and organizations, and food/merchandise supplied by merchants. They also need volunteers to help with food services, as well as ongoing donations so they can continue to provide the services they offer.
Apache Junction Chief of Police, 
Liz Langenbach, Director of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation, 
Club member Brian Kabat, owner of multiple Ace hardware stores throughout our area, shared several interesting stories about his life, family, business and Rotary experiences. 
Our program today was a 'member spotlight' by long time Rotary Club member, Harvey Clark. Harvey shared several interesting stories about his life, business and Rotary experiences.