Superstition Mountain Rotary Club members participated in the Sept 9th installation and celebration of the new service club sign in Apache Junction - (located in the center of the roadway on Apache Trail across from Superstition Harley-Davidson).
Rotary has been very involved with this project over many years, and is excited to see the sign finally become a reality. Other local service clubs, as well as the city of Apache Junction, have also played important roles.
Service Club signs are a visual representation in a community that service clubs are focusing on and working to help make their community be a better place. Community service clubs provide benefit to both the community - as well as the members in the clubs.
Service club membership connects individuals with like-minded people seeking ways to make an impact within their community - by helping others. They also provide benefits to individual members by offering them a meaningful way to network within their community. Service clubs also offer a way for individuals to meaningfully engage with various community leaders about service projects, and provide a venue to learn new information from speakers. Service Clubs also provide members a wide range of meaningful opportunities for personal growth.
Club members participated in the 'Apache Junction Homeless Coalition Cleanup with Police' on Thursday September 8th, along with other volunteers and community groups. The 'Apache Junction Homeless Coalition Cleanup with Police' brought together volunteers from the city, faith community, service clubs /organizations, non-profits, businesses and individual volunteers who all share a common mission to help benefit our homeless population, and local community. Project was led / coordinated by Sergeant Brian Pennington of the Apache Junction Police Department.
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.
Our Club will be participating in the 'Apache Junction Make a Difference Day' on Saturday, October 8 from 8:00 a.m. - noon. Sign in by 7:45 at the Focal Point (the corner of Phelps and Apache Trail).
The 'AJCDC Make a Difference Day' brings together volunteers from the city, faith community, clubs and organizations, non-profits, businesses and individual volunteers who all share a common mission to contribute where needs exist within the local community. Work sites may include raking and cleaning up yards, cleaning up and organizing garages, park enhancements, trash pick-up, and more. Something for everyone who wants to come out and help 'make a difference'.
Jill Bright and Raquel Guerrero, Secretary and President of the 'Black & Gold Youth Football & Cheer Squad', spoke about the group's mission to teach sportsmanship, teamwork, strength, character, discipline and dedication by aiding youth participate in sports programs. Through donations and sponsorships, they are able to help deserving/but under-privileged youth have opportunities to participate in 'pay-to-play' sports programs.
Fitore Mucaj Shrock, from Rotary Club Prishtina International-RCPI/District 2485 - Kosovo presented a Rotary banner from her Club, and Roberta Holmes, presented a banner to Fitore that represents Superstition Mountain Rotary. ( https://www.facebook.com/RCPInternational -- https://rcpi-ks.org/ )
September 21
Heather Wallace, Superintendent of Apache Junction Schools, talked about progress the district is making helping students climb to improved reading levels. She also shared information about receiving grants that are helping with pay-to-play and music programs. She spoke about extra-curricular and sports programs. Grants have also helped with the focus for increased safety, as well as making improvements for buildings and sports areas. Staffing has been an ongoing challenge post-pandemic.
September 14
Our speaker was Jeff Struble, founder of Rhino Recreation Center. Jeff shared info about the center and the many positive programs and activities available for young people. Also, in co-ordination with his business, Fat Man's Pizza, events include AJ Open Mic events, Chess Club events and tournaments, AJ Kids Idol, as well as many other youth activities throughout the year.
One recent community project Jeff has been involved with is 'buddy benches' for local elementary schools. 'Buddy Benches' were invented to combat loneliness and bullying in schools. Sometimes called a friendship bench, these benches are placed on school playgrounds as a way for students to signal to others that they are feeling lonely and isolated and need a friend to play with, or someone to talk to. The bench allows other children on the playground to clearly see when another kid needs support, or a friend, and they can join them on the bench for a chat or invite them to play.
September 7
Our speaker was Dee Baginski, founder of 'Courage Under Cancer Foundation, (along with Board members -- Jerry Baginski , Barbara Rae, Traicey Finder, and Dee Van Houten).
Their mission is helping individuals battling cancer by providing support, and financial assistance when an individual finds themselves in a difficult situation of choosing between medical treatment, or basic living costs - ie rent, utilities, transportation to medical appointments, etc. The Club was able to make a donation to the Foundation.
Sunday, November 6th, 6-9pm is their fundraiser '2nd Annual Fashion Show' - held at Robert Horne Ford in Apache Junction. Tickets and sponsorships are available.
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Superstition Mountain Rotary Club members participated in the Sept 9th installation and celebration of the new service club sign in Apache Junction - (located in the center of the roadway on Apache Trail across from Superstition Harley-Davidson).
Club members participated in the 'Apache Junction Homeless Coalition Cleanup with Police' 
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'. 
Our Club will be participating in the 'Apache Junction Make a Difference Day' on Saturday, October 8 from 8:00 a.m. - noon. Sign in by 7:45 at the Focal Point (the corner of Phelps and Apache Trail). 
Jill Bright and Raquel Guerrero, Secretary and President of the 'Black & Gold Youth Football & Cheer Squad', spoke about the group's mission to teach sportsmanship, teamwork, strength, character, discipline and dedication by aiding youth participate in sports programs. Through donations and sponsorships, they are able to help deserving/but under-privileged youth have opportunities to participate in 'pay-to-play' sports programs.
Fitore Mucaj Shrock, from Rotary Club Prishtina International-RCPI/District 2485 - Kosovo presented a Rotary banner from her Club, and Roberta Holmes, presented a banner to Fitore that represents Superstition Mountain Rotary. ( 
Heather Wallace, Superintendent of Apache Junction Schools, talked about progress the district is making helping students climb to improved reading levels. She also shared information about receiving grants that are helping with pay-to-play and music programs. She spoke about extra-curricular and sports programs. Grants have also helped with the focus for increased safety, as well as making improvements for buildings and sports areas. Staffing has been an ongoing challenge post-pandemic.
Our speaker was Jeff Struble, founder of Rhino Recreation Center. Jeff shared info about the center and the many positive programs and activities available for young people. Also, in co-ordination with his business, Fat Man's Pizza, events include AJ Open Mic events, Chess Club events and tournaments, AJ Kids Idol, as well as many other youth activities throughout the year. 
Our speaker was Dee Baginski, founder of 'Courage Under Cancer Foundation, (along with Board members -- Jerry Baginski , Barbara Rae, Traicey Finder, and Dee Van Houten).