Joan and Rich Roberts, Grand Marshals for 2014
Walkathon highlights
Nan Nasser
Thank you, SaddleBrooke walkers! The 18th annual Walkathon left the SaddleBrooke Clubhouse parking lot after doing some warm up exercises; adults, dogs and students selected either a short walk or the 5K walk around Ridgeview Boulevard. Once back at the clubhouse everyone took part in a warm breakfast and awarding of raffle prizes.
This year the Grand Marshals were Joan and Rich Roberts. They were acknowledged for their many of years of service to SBCO which included organizing the spring community food drives and assembling Thanksgiving food baskets for eligible Oracle residents. Joan has been executive vice president for three different presidents and together the Roberts operate a travel business called Cruise One. Residents of SaddleBrooke have enjoyed many of those cruises.
Special guests included members of the Mammoth/San Manuel School District which included administrators, teachers and students from the football team, cross country team and First Avenue Student Council. Teens that were part of Teen Closet provided some extra support to the event and Long Realty Care Foundation was strongly represented.
Many of the students who receive services from SBCO will greatly benefit from the participation of those who registered, from the staff of SBCC, the HOA1 Patrol, Vital Moves for exercises and all the volunteers who made the event happen. Thank you all.
A young lady gets a new windbreaker; photo by Nan Nasser.
It takes a village to make a difference
Dorothy Moore
Fall is generally the time that children go back to school with new clothes, sharp pencils and eager smiles! As a result of your generosity, many needy children north of SaddleBrooke look forward to the new school year because it brings hot meals, the services of a nurse, warm classrooms and a visit to Kids’ Closet to get some new school outfits. These needy children are living in the chronic poverty area running through Mammoth, up to Superior and across to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.
The youngsters who do visit Kids’ Closet receive a windbreaker, sweatshirt and even a knitted hat to make it easier to wait for the school bus. With your help SaddleBrooke Community Outreach has provided backpacks filled with basic school supplies geared to the various academic levels for the second year. New sneakers help the children run faster in gym classes and keep their feet warm! And they also receive two reading books which are often the only books they own.
All the clothing received by the children is new, purchased at specific conventions. Your tax deductible contributions help SaddleBrooke Community Outreach, a 501c3 charity, buy these items. Won’t you help us help our kids?
Your gift may be on behalf of a friend or family member, in memory of a special person or even to honor a particular event. You will receive an acknowledgement of your donation and we will send a letter to notify the appropriate recipient.
Donations can be made at www.community-outreach.org by using PayPal or by mailing your donation to SaddleBrooke Community Outreach, 63675 E. SaddleBrooke Boulevard, Suite L, Tucson, Arizona 85739.
If you have questions, please contact Dorothy Moore at 520-818-1347. Let’s make a difference; help change a child’s life for the better!
AZ Tax Credits for year end planning
The State of Arizona offers tax credits for a variety of situations, including charities that provide services to the working poor. That makes SaddleBrooke Community Outreach eligible for donations that can be claimed as a tax credit on the state return.
A single filing tax payer is able to claim a tax credit of $200 and a couple may claim $400 for a donation to a charity of their choice that is identified by the state as providing services for the working poor. Beginning with 2013 you do not need to itemize your deductions on your Arizona return to benefit from this donation. We suggest you visit the website: www.azdor.gov/TaxCredits/QualifyingCharitableOrganizations.aspx. You will find a list of qualifying charities, and SBCO is listed as SaddleBrooke Community Outreach on page 9. We do advise that you work with your tax preparer on this credit.
This is also a tax deduction on your federal return, not a tax credit!
Why consider SBCO for that credit? This 100% volunteer organization devotes its funds to programs that clothe the children for school; provides educational assistance and opportunities through tutoring, enrichment programs and college scholarships; supports food programs with our annual food drive and financial contributions to the Tri Community Food Bank as well as Thanksgiving food baskets and supports Adopt A Family Program during December.
Our service area begins in Catalina and continues up to Superior and across to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. That includes 20 schools in eight districts and three counties and covers 100 miles. More information about SBCO is available at our website: www.community-outreach.org. Or visit us at Suite L in the Minit Market on SaddleBrooke Boulevard. For us, It’s All About the Kids!