Grand Marshals Melanie Stout and Anni Evans were selected to lead the walk because of their longtime dedication to Kids’ Closet.
Walkathon 2015 – thank you, everyone!
Nan Nasser
The 19th annual SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Walkathon took place on Saturday, October 24, with great enthusiasm and energy. Over 250 people registered, wore bright yellow T-shirts, and either walked the 5K route around Ridgeview or the shorter segment to the fire house on SaddleBrooke Blvd.
The water stations were manned by 7:30 a.m., support golf carts were on call for those needing a ride and for all the eager dogs and walkers exercises began at 7:40 a.m. led by Vital Moves. Grand Marshals Melanie Stout and Anni Evans were escorted around the route by driver Bev Porras. Melanie and Anni were honored for their longtime dedication to the functions of Kids’ Closet. The HOA One Patrol added to the safety of the walk, water was donated by Navigation Retirement and a wonderful egg/bacon breakfast was available to all participants at SaddleBrooke One Clubhouse. Local teens assisted with the event, providing community service for future shopping trips for Teen Closet and many students and staff members participated from the Mammoth/San Manuel School District. We also had 15 dogs and one cat participate.
Altogether, we can provide 211 wardrobes from Kids’ Closet, thanks to all of you who supported this annual activity. See what your involvement can accomplish? Next year, the 20th Walkathon is already in our plans; save the date of October 22.
This cutie loves her new hat!
Another satisfied customer!
Baby, it’s cold outside
Anni Evans, V.P. Kids, Closet
Fall and winter can be particularly hard for many of the children Kids’ Closet serves. With the weather getting cold, these children come to the Closet for warm winter clothes, including a knit stocking cap. We at Kids’ Closet are so grateful to the many knitters that provide us with enough stocking caps to dress about 1,500 kids each fall. The knit caps come in all colors and styles to please everyone. In addition to the Knit Wits group in SaddleBrooke, we receive knit caps from the old Pueblo knitters in Tucson, numerous SaddleBrooke residents and even from an ex-SaddleBrooke resident that now lives in Texas. Thank you to all knitters for keeping the Closet well stocked for the winters.
To read more about SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) and Kids’ Closet log onto www.community-outreach.org.
Volunteers from SaddleBrooke Community Outreach delivered 36 Thanksgiving food baskets to needy neighbors in the tri community area.
Thanksgiving food baskets
Joan Roberts
The holidays were off to a festive beginning when a group of volunteers from SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) traveled to Oracle to deliver 36 Thanksgiving food baskets to our needy neighbors in the tri community area. Each basket was filled with the traditional Thanksgiving items, including a large turkey and all the trimmings. In addition to these baskets, SBCO supports the Holiday Food Basket Program of the Tri Community Food Bank with food and cash donations. This year’s efforts were supported again by the generosity of the Walmart Neighborhood Market and donations from the community.
If you would like to learn more about SBCO’s food related programs or if you would like to participate in any of our upcoming events, please contact Joan or Rich Roberts at 825-7577. Watch for the annual SBCO Food Drive coming in March of 2016. “It is a heartwarming feeling to know our community is making a difference in the lives of many of those in need,” reported the Roberts.
Larry Sander enters the raffle. Photo by Emilie Siarkiewicz.
SBCO car raffle winner
Emilie Siarkiewicz
Jim Click Automotive Group’s 2015 Millions for Tucson charity car raffle is now history. SaddleBrooke Community Outreach, Inc. (SBCO) (http://community-outreach.org) was one of 482 non-profit organizations participating this year. The prize was a limited edition 50th anniversary 1965 Ford Mustang; car No. 195, a 2015 GT coupe with a MSRP of $48,190.
The drawing took place on November 13 at the Tucson Convention Center. The winner was Colleen Mahoney who purchased the winning ticket from the Khalsa Montessori School. SBCO sold 181 raffle tickets for a total income of $3,760. Although none of SBCO’s purchasers was the winner, SBCO was a winner as we will be able to support our various programs from this fundraiser. For example, this amount will allow us to purchase more than 50 wardrobes; or fund over two scholarships for students going on to college, technical training, etc.; or to support our food program, etc.
SBCO thanks all of the ticket purchasers.