Ron Sites, president/executive director of the Luke AFB Fighter Country Partnership (FCP), poses with Judy Shaffer, left, president of the PC Singles Club and member Elizabeth Stelton who nominated the FCP for consideration as one of the club’s 2015 charities. Mr. Sites awarded the two ladies a special Luke AFB medallion to recognize support for local military families.
Pat Milich
The PebbleCreek Singles Club has always been very successful in fulfilling its mission to combine fun with fundraising to support worthy causes and organizations in surrounding communities. In 2014, the club’s philanthropic energy resulted in a total of $3200 being raised for its chosen charity, the Homeless Youth Connection (HYC.)
Addressing the membership at the May 3 regular meeting, President Judy Shaffer announced that the Board of Directors had set the lofty goal of $5000 for the 2015 Charitable Fundraising Campaign which in addition to the HYC will benefit Luke AFB Fighter Country Partnership (FCP.)
At the end of last year the PC Singles voted to continue working on behalf of homeless youth while also supporting a second worthy project to assist military men and women serving at nearby Luke AFB. After Ron Sites, president/executive director of the FCP, addressed the group at the March meeting the Board of Directors consulted further with representatives at Luke to determine where the club’s efforts could be the most helpful. Ultimately a special gift card project that will help to feed and to provide other necessities for those families who find themselves in need, especially at Thanksgiving and holiday time in November and December, was developed.
Beginning in May and continuing through November members are asked to donate gift cards from Safeway and Fry’s grocery stores as well as Walmart and Sam’s Club. These cards will be turned over to the administrators at the FCP Foundation to be distributed to the local military families who are experiencing tough times financially. A goal of $2500 in gift cards has been set.
The Board decided to take a leap of faith in the generosity of the current 160 Singles Club members and also set a second goal of $2500 for the Homeless Youth Connection. Due to its overwhelming success, the Board decided to stick to the same fundraising plan it had last year for the HYC, a highly regarded organization dedicated to creating awareness and meeting needs of homeless youth so they can stay in school and graduate. HYC’s long term vision and ongoing goals are to provide homeless teens from the West Valley with housing, basic needs and services as they make positive, life-affirming choices toward becoming responsible, productive adults.
“I am confident we will reach our goal because I am so blown away by the generosity and good will that has been demonstrated in the past by all of you and there is no reason to believe that it will not be repeated this year,” President Shaffer encouraged the membership.
The next meeting of the PC Singles will be held on Sunday, June 7 in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom. New members always are welcome. Registration is at 2:15 p.m., activities sign up at 2:30 p.m. and meeting at 3:00 p.m. For further information contact Judy Shaffer at 951-215-1529 or [email protected].