Gillian Driscoll
Ana was homeless for two years, bouncing around between relatives and friends. The rest of the time she lived in her car. Finally, after a two year wait, Ana became eligible for a subsidized senior apartment but she still had a problem. She had no furniture. At the food bank Ana struck up a conversation with Judy Hart, a food bank volunteer and the chair of the Community Outreach committee of the PebbleCreek Democratic Club. The previous day Judy had a call from a resident of PebbleCreek who had some furniture they no longer needed. Voila! Within a few days and some rapid organizing of transportation, Ana had an apartment furnished with two couches, a TV, coffee table, end tables, lamps, and more.
In February two unique items were donated. One was a beautiful guitar with a case, stand, and a music stand. As with the furniture, an opportunity came to donate it within days when Alice Cooper’s The Rock Teen Center opened in the old Goodyear library building. This free club for 12s to 20s offers music and dance lessons, an art studio, and a recording studio. They accept any unwanted musical instruments.
The second unique item was a Trek bicycle. This was donated to the Homeless Youth Connection that provides group homes for high school students who would otherwise be homeless. The bike was given two new tubes but was otherwise in perfect condition. The club also donated a helmet, pump, and bike lock to complete the package. Now a teen can ride to school!
The PebbleCreek Democratic Club members take an active part in supporting the community of Goodyear and the surrounding area. Every year members donate clothing, household goods, toiletries, school supplies, as well as their time and money to many local charities and causes. Judy and her husband Ross collect the donations, sort them, and deliver them to the appropriate organizations. This takes a great deal of time, effort, and driving, and they do a superb job.
In 2024 club members donated 2,125 pounds of clothes and household items that were distributed around the West Valley. For the new school year, club members donated 228 pounds of school supplies to Lattie Coor Primary School and 98 pounds of school supplies plus 69 pounds of clothing to Agua Fria High School’s “Owl Closet.” In addition, $475 in cash was collected and shared with various charities.
Some of the organizations that the PC Dems support include the Homeless Youth Connection, the Phoenix Rescue Mission, the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank, Hope’s Closet, Dress for Success, Maricopa County Humane Society, Meals of Joy, and Kare Bears. The PebbleCreek Democratic Club members are looking forward to supporting worthy local causes during 2025.