Volunteers at Kids’ Closet in Mammoth, Ariz., helped students select jackets, along with other new clothing and books, for the fall school semester.
SBCO Needs Volunteers to Help Local Students Succeed
Nancy McCluskey-Moore
SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) was founded in 1997 to meet the needs of children living in the 11 current and former mining communities in the “Copper Corridor,” stretching 100 miles north of Catalina, Ariz. SBCO’s mission of providing children with opportunities to succeed is realized through programs that focus on food, clothing, and education. As an award-winning 503(c)(3) nonprofit, SBCO has been making a significant difference in the lives of local children and their families for 27 years.
Like most nonprofits, SBCO relies on an army of more than 300 volunteers to implement our programs. We need volunteers to assist in the following areas:
Kids’ Closet: Help children from Head Start through 8th grade select new school clothing.
Teen Closet: Assist eligible students on a school clothing shopping trip at local stores.
Education Enrichment Committee: Review and select for funding grant requests from teachers, schools, and community organizations.
Scholarship Committee: Review scholarship applications, select recipients, and follow the progress of students.
Scholarship Endowment Committee: Seek donations for the college scholarship endowment fund.
Marketing Committee: Solicit local businesses to provide financial support to SBCO.
Food Drive Committee: Help plan the March 2026 Food Drive; meetings run from December through March.
Home Tour Committee: Help organize and staff the 2026 Home Tour.
Holiday Adopt Program: Help shop for, wrap, and deliver gifts to tri-community families and children living on the Apache reservation.
Office Staffing: Provide administrative services for the SBCO office in Suite L of the SaddleBrooke Business Plaza.
Donating your time and talent clearly helps those who receive assistance from SBCO. But did you know that you also benefit from being a volunteer? Various studies have found that volunteering:
• Is good for your mind and body. Volunteering can make you feel healthier, improve your mood, increase your sense of purpose, keep you mentally stimulated, and reduce your stress level.
• Helps you connect to others. Volunteering helps connect you to others, including those you assist. These connections make you part of a larger community and engaged in making it a better place to live.
• Brings fulfillment to your life. Volunteering is also an enjoyable and easy way to explore your interests and passions. When you are involved in meaningful and interesting activities, volunteering can provide a relaxing, stimulating change from your day-to-day routine.
SBCO always needs volunteers for both long- and short-term commitments. To become involved, visit community-outreach.org/volunteers to complete an interest form. We’d love to have you join our team!
In February of this year, students and their families attended a Valentine Family Social.
SBCO Grant Increases Community Involvement with Hayden High School
Nancy McCluskey-Moore
SaddleBrooke Community Outreach awarded a $5,000 grant to Hayden High School for the 2024-25 school year for a project to increase parental and community involvement with the school, thus strengthening the family and school relationship. Hayden High School already has a strong following from the community for its athletic teams and events. The Hayden High School Community Partnership Project is designed to mirror that participation in all school events.
The Hayden-Winkelman area is remote, with a small population. There are few extracurricular activities or venues such as shopping malls, water parks, skating rinks, or movie theaters for students to enjoy with their families. Students not engaged in team sports have few events geared toward their interests.
The SBCO grant is designed to fund one school-sponsored activity per month in which all students can participate with their family members. In September, the school held Title I and Family Appreciation Night, in October Tostadas and Loteria Night, and in November the event was Family Appreciation Day held on a Sunday. Volunteer barbers provided 64 free haircuts to students. There was a cake walk, a DJ, food, and booths set up by the PTO, Hayden Police Department, Gila County Police, Hayden-Winkelman and Dudleyville volunteer fire departments, and Arizona Youth Partnership. In December, the school hosted Lobo Christmas Event, and in January Family Game Night.
The February event, held on Feb. 20, was titled “Valentine Family Social.” Students and their families were able to eat dinner together as they enjoyed music by a DJ and then frosted and decorated cupcakes to eat for dessert. Crafting activities included creating a flower bouquet to take home and partner canvas painting. A photo booth was available with props for families to have fun posing for pictures. They also decorated wooden frames to put their pictures in and take home as a memento of the night. Finally, a variety of games were available for families to enjoy with each other and with other families in attendance.
An Art Gallery Walk and Silent Auction were held in March, with School Carnival Night and Field Night to promote healthy lifestyles planned for April and May.
Pamela Gonzalez, Hayden High School principal, feels strongly that “Providing these events for our school’s families is important for students at all ages. Continuing a positive and engaging partnership with families in our district is valued. We thank SaddleBrooke Community Outreach for their continued support of our efforts to provide the best education we can to our students and Lobo families.”
SBCO annually provides enrichment grants to teachers, schools, libraries, preschools, and community groups. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, SBCO awarded $135,000 in grants.