Casino Night!
Sue Schliepsiek
On Nov. 7, 51 guests met in the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center to play poker, blackjack, roulette, and other table games, raising over $3,000 in support of the Oracle Schools Foundation. Bob and Brenda Seaman volunteered their leadership, expertise, and all games and decorations to create a Las Vegas atmosphere, which was enjoyed by all. Committee member men, as well as Barry Swartzberg and Wayne Kirk, were dealers for the games.
Guests were treated to a casual dinner of pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, coleslaw, and cookies, as well as beers and wines. Players were given $500 in poker chips, which could be exchanged for raffle tickets at the conclusion of the games when raffle prizes were drawn. Prizes included a dinner for four donated by Casino del Sol, beautiful clay pieces donated by local artist Sue Armbrust, a yoga class in the home of Linda DaRugna, as well as assorted gift cards to local merchants.
The Casino Night Planning Committee included Reva and Randy Stolpe, Debbie and Andy Timothy, Marci and Bruce LeDuc, Nancy and Phil Steffes, and Sue and Dave Schliepsiek. This fixed price event was offered at the Oracle Schools Foundation Gala in March of 2025. Because of overwhelming and positive feedback, Casino Night will be offered again at the 2026 Gala on March 14. Tickets are available online at the OSF website at www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com.
The primary mission of the Oracle Schools Foundation is to fund early childhood education and other educational programs at Mountain Vista School in Oracle, Ariz.
Donating to the Oracle Schools Foundation Can Help You Reduce Your Arizona Income Taxes
Dale Farland
Would you like to reduce your Arizona income taxes and help a local charity as well?
Well, the Oracle Schools Foundation (OSF) is designated as an Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (AZQCO). What does AZQCO mean to you? It provides you with the opportunity to direct your tax money to this charity and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit off your Arizona income taxes.
For 2025 the amounts are $987 for married couples and $495 for single individuals. You can still make donations for your 2025 Arizona income taxes up to April 15, 2026. Or you can make donations for the 2026 income tax year. For 2026 the amounts are $1,009 for married couples and $506 for single individuals.
The Oracle Schools Foundation is the fundraising entity that provides free KinderPrep (preschool) for three- and four-year-old children of the Oracle School District. What do your AZQCO donations to OSF, a 501(c)(3) organization, support? Your donations provide scholarships for up to 55 students for the free KinderPrep program. The budget for this program is $121,000. OSF also funds other programs, such as Accelerated Reading and Math Enhancement programs for students K-8 at Mountain Vista Elementary School, as well as other programs as needed.
Tucson Chief of Police Chad Kasmar wrote an opinion piece in the Tucson Daily Star stating that preschool education programs “not only support the development needs of children but also offer a powerful tool for preventing crime.” Preschool children “have the strong start in life they need to grow into productive, responsible adults.” Arizona and Pinal County do not fund preschool.
To securely donate on our secure website for a AZQCO donation, please go to Oracleschoolsfoundation.com. If you would rather, you can write a check to Oracle Schools Foundation and mail it to P.O. Box 8863, Catalina, AZ 85738
The AZQCO code for Oracle Schools Foundation when you prepare your Arizona income taxes is 22773. Please consult with your tax advisor.
Please note that donations to the Oracle Schools Foundation as an AZQCO should not be confused with similar tax credit donations you can also make directly to the Oracle School District’s Mountain Vista Elementary School. You can claim a public school tax credit in addition to the AZQCO tax credit, and they both reduce your Arizona taxes dollar for dollar. For 2025 the maximum amount of the public school tax credit is $400 for married taxpayers and $200 for individuals. Public schools are allowed to use these public school tax credit donations for extracurricular activities or character education programs such as field trips, athletics, after-school tutoring, and fine arts. The tax credit form for this donation is on the district’s website at OSD2.org under “Quick Links.” You can also make these donations up to April 15, 2026, for tax year 2025.
A Fun Fall Festival
Ann Vernon
The talent in SaddleBrooke never ceases to amaze me, and that talent was very evident at a “fun fall festival” that was held at the home of Mary Jo and Barry Swartzberg, co-hosted by Sue Schliepsiek and Ann Vernon. Mary Jo had invited 11 artists to showcase their jewelry, mosaic pieces, ceramics, paintings, note cards, napkins, and woven wool pieces. Attendees sipped on wine and ate canapés and yummy desserts as they perused the various displays. Not only did they purchase treasures from the artists, but they also made monetary contributions (totaling over $2,000) to the Oracle Schools Foundation, which is very much appreciated.
The Foundation was formed over 10 years ago with the primary mission of helping fund preschool. Research clearly shows that early childhood education is vital to future success in school and beyond. The Foundation is proud to contribute $121,000 this year so that 45 preschoolers can get a jump start on their education.
In addition to events such as this, we hold a Spring Fling Gala featuring silent, fixed-price events, and a live auction. Mark Saturday, March 14, on your calendar and plan to attend to support a worthwhile cause. For more information and to sign up for the Gala, check our website at www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com.
Event hosts (left to right): Gary and Dorothy Wood, Julie and Kevin Johnson, and Janet and Dennis Williams
Livin’ la Fiesta Loca!
Dorothy Wood
Nestled in the hills of the Catalinas, just 15 minutes from SaddleBrooke, lies a romantic Old World Spanish hacienda called Rancho de los Cerros (Ranch of the Hills). On Oct. 26 Rancho de los Cerros hosted over 100 guests to celebrate a fiesta with live music, Mexican dishes, and specialty tequila tasting to raise funds for Oracle Schools Foundation preschool programs. The fiesta was catered by Rancheros Market of Catalina and included mini-chimi appetizers, chicken enchiladas verdes, ground beef tacos, guacamole, salsa, Mexican rice, beans, and a sinfully delicious choco-flan dessert. Taco ‘bout a party!
Prior to dinner, guests were encouraged to stroll past horses nickering in the corrals and watch the antics of baby goats scampering through the large barn. An Old West stagecoach and buggy marked the grounds, along with a modern-day swimming pool fed by boulder waterfalls. A Disney-like frontier town façade, complete with Wild West saloon, bank, and sheriff’s office, offered a great backdrop for photos. Outdoor music filled the air with Latin and pop favorites played by The Angel Perez Project, who generously played pro bono for the event as supporters of preschool education.
This was the second year of this successful Oracle Schools Foundation event. Big thanks to the ownership and management of Rancho de los Cerros for offering their beautiful venue. Financial funding and “worker bee” event organization was provided by SaddleBrooke donors Kevin and Julie Simon Johnson, Dennis and Janet Williams, and Gary and Dorothy Wood. If you missed the event this year, mark your calendars for March 14 to attend the next Oracle Schools Foundation Gala at the MountainView ballroom.
Are You 73 or Older in 2026? Here Is a Tax Strategy for Your RMD That Helps a Local Charity
Dale Farland
You are turning 73 or are older in 2026 and thinking about your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) which you will be required to take this year. Let me share with you a legal tax strategy that reduces your federal and Arizona income taxes while helping a local charity. Always consult your tax advisor.
When you receive your RMD, or any distribution from your IRA account, you pay federal and Arizona income taxes on it. However, if you make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a charity, you do not pay any income taxes on that distribution. Let the Oracle Schools Foundation (OSF) be your charity!
It’s a win-win. You do not pay federal or Arizona income taxes on the RMD, and the OSF receives the donation.
A Qualified Charitable Distribution is a distribution made directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. You must be age 70-1/2 or older to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution. A QCD is not taxed. If you are 73 or older in 2026, QCDs also can count toward your annual RMD from your IRA. Remember, you must have your brokerage firm or trust department mail the check directly to the Oracle Schools Foundation. It cannot be placed in your checking account.
Oracle Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and qualifies for a QCD distribution from your IRA. OSF is the fundraising arm for the Oracle Schools. Donations fund the free KinderPrep (preschool) for three- and four-year-old children of the Oracle vicinity. OSF also funds other programs for the K-8 students of Mountain Vista Elementary School, a Title I school. The majority of students who attend this school are low income. These families do not have the extra money to pay for preschool.
To make a QCD to the Oracle Schools Foundation, have your IRA trustee send a check directly to Oracle Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 8863, Catalina, AZ 85738. In compliance with IRS guidelines, no goods or services are provided in exchange for the donation.
Key Takeaways:
• Donation must go to a qualified charity.
• Donation must come directly from the IRA through your trustee to the charity. You cannot withdraw the funds and make the donation directly.
• Maximum annual QCD limit is $100,000.
• QCD cannot be claimed as an itemized charitable deduction on your taxes.
• IRA owners must be age 70-1/2 or older to make a tax-free charitable contribution.
• Those who are 73+ years old can transfer up to $100,000 per year directly from an IRA to an eligible charity as their RMD without paying income tax on the transaction. The amount of the QCD cannot be more than the amount of the distribution that would count as income.
As aforementioned, always confirm with your tax advisor.