Project Warmheart at Luke Air Force Base is chaired by MSGT Brandy Rucker, center, who spoke to the PC Singles Club in September. With her are PC Singles President Judy Shaffer, right, and member Elizabeth Stelton, left. Project Warmheart and the Homeless Youth Connection are the two charities supported by the club in 2015.
Pat Milich
Last month the PebbleCreek Singles Club marked the eighteenth anniversary of its inception in 1997. For almost all of the two decades the Singles Club has been in existence, membership has continued to grow as dedicated volunteers work to accomplish the mission and goals of this unique and diversified group of men and women. First and foremost, the club exists to provide a welcoming environment for singles to feel comfortable participating in a broad spectrum of activities and events with others who share similar interests and life experiences.
Equally important over the years has been the club’s growing commitment to give back to the local community by supporting various charitable organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, Aqua Fria Food Bank, the Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) and, most recently, Operation Warmheart, which falls under the auspices of the Luke Air Force Base Country Fighter Partnership.
Earlier this year the club agreed to continue raising money for the HYC, a cause it has supported since 2012, and to expand its philanthropic arm to embrace military families at nearby Luke Air Force Base who have fallen on hard times and find themselves in need of a helping hand. A fundraising goal of $2500 was set for each charity.
Over the summer months the club heard from representatives of both groups. Larry Cervarich, founder and PR director for the HYC, was exuberant in expressing his appreciation to the PC Singles Club for its past and current willingness to invest in homeless high school age youth, helping to empower them to reach their full potential and to become successful, contributing members of Goodyear and the surrounding communities.
Last month the club hosted MSGT Brandy Rucker, chairman of Operation Warmheart at Luke. She explained how Operation Warmheart is managed by volunteers and is a program where airmen help fellow airmen with the support of generous community groups and individuals. She noted that 100 percent of donations benefit the Luke community with zero dollars going toward administration fees.
In the past year, Operation Warmheart was able to support over 200 military families who faced emergencies, such as a house fire, deaths in the family that required out of state travel to attend funeral services, children’s illness and accidents and other unexpected financial crises. Donations also are used to help at holiday time to provide meals and gifts for families experiencing difficulties in life.
PC Singles Club President Judy Shaffer announced that the 2015 Charitable Campaign was entering into its final months and encouraged everyone to be generous in their contributions. There are tax advantages associated with donating to both groups. Further information is available by contacting Judy at [email protected]. or 951 215 1529.