Kare Bears’ Korner

Bake Sale thanks

Bob and Hope Ewest

We would like to send out a sincere thank you to all the people who provided and bought baked goods at the Kare Bears Bake Sale. The proceeds totaled $479 and we could not have been that successful without you.

Once again, our sincere thanks!

Mr. Robson honored by Kare Bears

Rayma Scalzo

During the 2018 Kare Bears luncheon, Mr. Robson was recognized as a very special friend of Kare Bears since its inception. In 2003, he allowed them to use a model home to conduct Kare Bear business and he has done so ever since. Prior to that, everything was run out of a volunteer’s home. Having a place to do business made it much easier for the volunteers and for residents who needed the services of Kare Bears.

Rayma Scalzo, founder of Kare Bears, quoted an article written in the Arizona Republic and feels it truly describes what Mr. Robson has done for the community. It said, “Not every development company puts its money where its mouth is. But, in PebbleCreek, an adult development in Goodyear, Robson supports the “Kare Bears,” a community care and support organization, with much more than just lip service.”

Rayma said, “We are so lucky to have a mutually beneficial relationship for 23 years.”

Unfortunately, Mr. Robson was unable to attend the luncheon. Rayma promised that the gift would be delivered to Mr. Robson as a thank you for all he has done through the years. The gift was an engraved crystal desk clock which represents the time and support that he has given to Kare Bears.

Founder’s Award recipient

Rayma Scalzo

The Kare Bears Founder’s Community Service Award was presented to Edna DeFord at its 2018 annual fall luncheon. This award was created in honor of Rayma Scalzo, founder of Kare Bears. It is given annually to a person who has provided distinctive leadership and outstanding volunteer service to PebbleCreek and in the surrounding community. The winner is selected by a community-wide nomination and selection process.

There were nearly 300 residents and guests in attendance at the luncheon. When the announcement was made, Edna was greeted by a rousing standing ovation. She has served as a volunteer with inspirational dedication and with tireless energy and commitment.

When PebbleCreek was new, Edna and her husband, Ken, were one of six couples who created the PebbleCreek Community Church. She started the church choir and served as the volunteer director.

As an organizer and leader, Edna founded the PebbleCreek Social Bridge Club, formed the Square Dance Club, was a co-creator of the PebbleCreek RV Cub and the list goes on and on. When you wanted something started, Edna was the go-to person. She is the current secretary of the PebbleCreek Creative Arts Council and has served as a volunteer for over 16 years. Edna helped design the new Creative Arts Center as a volunteer member of the committee.

Most of Edna’s time has been spent heading the Mission Committee within the PebbleCreek Community Church. She served as a leader and coordinator for the Agua Fria Food & Clothing Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner Basket Drive this year and for the past 16 years. This entails obtaining food and financial contributions from church members and the PebbleCreek community. She enlisted an army of PebbleCreek and other community volunteers to put together food baskets for distribution at the Agua Fria Food Bank.

This year Edna worked on the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Ministry. It involves serving as a year-round volunteer to enlist churches and groups in the Greater Phoenix Area, including the PebbleCreek Community Church, to fill a shoe box for a child who may have never received a gift in his or her life.

Small wonder then that Edna was honored this year with the Kare Bears’ prestigious award. We congratulate her and thank her for making our little corner of the world a better place to live!

Welcome in the new year with 911 awareness and preparedness

Linda Jo Orinski, Kare Bears Program Director

Chief Deputy Justin Hughes and Cricket Barrientos will be our speakers at the Wednesday, January 23 Kare Bears Presents! Law enforcement response to Dementia/Alzheimer’s crisis is so important to be prepared and know what the crucial information the First Responders will need when called to your home.

The first topic will be about how preparedness is so important for caregivers because in the midst of a traumatic event it is difficult to gather the information necessary to address the issue. It is better to have a plan in place that can assist the caregiver and first responders. Remember, first responders are here to help you and the person with dementia.

The second topic will be a presentation on Autism Understanding and Awareness. The Autism program is called the “Sounds of Autism.”

Cricket Barrientos is Founder and Executive Board of Director for the “Sounds of Autism” in 2011. They present the Responders Unite Campaign. Life and Career skill include BusyKid Launch 2018 and the key note for the profit project offering a community “Keynote” speaker platform. Cricket is passionate advocate and leader within the Autism community bringing voice to the epidemic through multiple presentations, programs and resources that support First Responders, Autism families and community organizations and businesses. She has worked for and owned multiple startup businesses over the last 28 years. Her tenure in the restaurant business gave her the tools necessary to run a non-profit. Cricket is a strong advocate within the community and has supported multiple families as they join the journey of raising Autism awareness. Her 16-year old Autistic son Landon, daughter Alexis and husband, Phoenix Police officer Kevin Crotty, work alongside Cricket to create and develop the curriculum to help the Responders unite awareness campaign and support her in bringing a voice to the 1-59 Autism Epidemic throughout the U.S.

Deputy Chief Justin Hughes has been in law enforcement for 19 years. He began his career with the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections where he worked in the mental health unit for two years. He began his police career in 2001 with El Mirage Police Department. In 2006 he began working for the Goodyear Police Department and has worked as a Patrol Officer, Special Victims Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Internal Affairs Supervisor, Crisis/Hostage Negotiations Team Leader, Mental Health Liaison, Watch Commander and Deputy Chief of Police over the Support Service Division. Deputy Chief was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the West Valley Crisis Intervention Team (WVCIT) through the collaborative, multi-agency effort with the mental health professionals and mental health community partners. Since early 2018, Deputy Chief Hughes has been working directly with Sound of Autism to bring Autism Spectrum disorder awareness and training to law enforcement. He is currently working with the Alzheimer’s Caregivers Group to bring Dementia Awareness and Training to First Responders.

If you are a caregiver or know someone that is, you do not want to miss this valuable information that will assist your reaction time to a 911 call. Kare Bears Presentations’ attendance and refreshments are always free!

Location: Eagle’s Nest Ballroom; Time: 11:00 a.m.-noon Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

Join us for a cup of coffee and learn this valuable information! Be prepared for 911 calls.

Thanks from Kare Bears

Joyce Van Ornam, president

I must share a secret with you. People I have met throughout the community and PebbleCreek are astonished that an organization as large and well-organized as Kare Bears is staffed totally by volunteers. Add to that, the fact that this charitable organization is funded by the donations of generous people and organizations makes Kare Bears truly unique.

Honored at the recent awards luncheon as Friends of Kare Bears, Nothing Bundt Cakes has provided small, tasty cakes free to the Kare Bears luncheon since 2015. Accepting the award was owner, Rob Kelly. This company is just one example of the community support Kare Bears receives.

Representing Kare Bears coordinators, the largest group of volunteers in our organization, was Judy Ayers, one of the coordinators in unit 17. She was recognized for being willing to go the extra mile to “be the rainbow in somebody’s cloud” (Maya Angelou).

Don Belonax accepted an award posthumously for his wife, Jackie. Working with Don as a coordinator for unit 51, Jackie continued to reach out to people in their unit and throughout PebbleCreek while battling cancer. She is remembered by those who knew her as the embodiment of Kare Bears.

Exceptional Service Awards were given to Share Bears volunteer, Sally Dwyer and to Health and Wellness director, Hilary Coltman.

Sally has donated her creative talents, her time and her money to make gifts for Share Bears participants and to decorate for Share Bears special occasions, such as their Christmas luncheon, for several years.

Hilary was on the Kare Bears Board as Health and Wellness Director for three years. During that time, she expanded Kare Bears Health and Wellness way beyond her job description. She gave freely of her personal training as a nurse, her organizational skills and a lot of her time.

Volunteer driver, Trisha Johnson, was honored for her willingness to drive PebbleCreek residents to medical appointments anytime, anywhere. What a gift to Kare Bears and PebbleCreek!

If you would like to join this group of exceptional people, go to www.karebear.org and complete a volunteer interest form. Or, stop by the house at 15383 W. Cheery Lynn, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. or Saturday 9:00 a.m. to noon and the volunteers will help you fill out the form. I promise you that we will train you and put you to work!