Friday Morning Message

September Program

See you all Monday evening at the Sept. 26 program at 6:30 p.m. in the Madera Clubhouse Ballroom!

Dr. Manuel Valenzuela, Superintendent of the Sahuarita Unified School District (SUSD), now in his seventh year as district Superintendent, oversees the education of 6,300 students in the rapidly growing K-12 district. Dr. Valenzuela’s talk will focus on issues and solutions in the on-going struggle to provide the students in the Sahuarita Unified School District with the best skills for success. He will talk about emerging issues and provide details about local challenges.

In addition to Dr. Valenzuela’s talk, TWOQC will be entertained by the Walden Grove High School Women’s Chorale under the direction of Benjamin Lebovitz. The Chorale is composed of 16 members, the majority of whom are freshmen and sophomores, ages 14 to 16.

The program is open to all members of TWOQC and to first-time guests. Members are encouraged to arrive early to make reservations for the Club’s October Membership Luncheon. (More info below in the Upcoming Events section.)

Online Member Photo Book

TWOQC is preparing an online photo book of its members. Come to the September 26 program photo-ready and your headshot will be added to the yearbook of paid members for 2017.

The photos will appear as a page on our website in alphabetical order with only your name and no further identifying information. We hope this will help our growing membership become better acquainted and also help some of our aging memories!

Benefit Concert for Scholarships

(Click to enlarge flyer)

Veteran’s Day is coming up and we hope you all will plan to attend the concert of patriotic music featuring the Gatekeepers. All TWOQC proceeds will go towards funding 2017 scholarships for a female senior student at Walden Grove and Sahuarita High Schools. The concert will be held at the Sahuarita Unified School District Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Road. Tickets are $10 each or $20 for a family.

As part of Veterans Appreciation week, there will also be a basketball game at Sahuarita High School on Thursday, November 10 starting at 6:00 p.m.

The game will pit students from Sahuarita and Walden Grove high schools against faculty members from both schools.
Tickets are $3 for seniors over 65, active and retired military and $5 for those under 65.
We will be selling tickets for both events in the lobby starting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 26.
Cash or checks only please.

Prior to the concert, we are having a Silent Auction to generate more funds for the 2017 scholarship program and are looking for donations. Suggestions include spa items, food items or cookbooks for a Gourmet Food Basket, craft items of all sorts, gift cards to local stores. Because the concert is being held on school property, we cannot have any wine or spirits. Services, e.g., massage, alterations, hair or skin care would make excellent auction items. We would appreciate any donations of red, white or blue ribbon that we can use for bows for the baskets.

All donations can be brought to the program on September 26 or dropped off at Pat Neel’s house, 2306 E. Spurwind at any time before October 19. Pat has a box by the door so you don’t have to worry about whether she is home. When dropping off items, please include your name and address so we can acknowledge your donation. For questions, call Pat at 625-4476.

YOTO – Youth on Their Own

The YOTO Mini-Mall is where homeless youth can access basic human needs items – from food, to toiletries, to school supplies – weekly at NO cost. It is 100% stocked through the generosity of community members, organizations, civic clubs, and local businesses. However, they are currently running low on a few urgently needed items: Shampoo · Conditioner · Soup · Jelly · Canned Fruit · Canned Chicken · Dental Floss

Any TWOQC member that would like to bring any of the above to the Monday night program may place the items on the designated table at the back of the room. Any donations can be made at the YOTO office (1660 N. Alvernon Way) Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Blind Veterans Need Some Help

The VA Hospital has a very active blind veterans’ rehabilitation program. For a couple of their crafts programs, they are asking for new wooden clip clothespins. Walmart and the 99-Cent store both have them. They also need new plain white T-Shirts in men’s sizes L, XL, 2X, and 3X and ladies in sizes M and L.

If you are able to help, please bring donations to the program on September 26 or drop them at Peggy McGee’s house, 1908 E Longspur Place.

Clothing & Household Goods Drive for Homeless Veterans

Only 3 more weeks to our annual clothing and household goods drive on October 15. Have you started going through your closets yet? They especially need larger sizes for ladies and men as well as backpacks. Don’t wait until the last minute to get things ready for those who have served. The VA is also asking for pet food, kitty litter and other pet supplies for the vets with pets. Their pets may be the only family they have.

We will be signing up volunteers to help with the clothing drive at our September 26 program. We desperately need more drivers to store items in their vehicles over the weekend and then take them to the VA on Monday, October 17. Cars, trucks, SUV will all work. If you won’t be at the monthly program, please contact Laura Colbert at 625-4033 to sign up. We could definitely use some male volunteers for the heavier boxes and bags. One or two more people to direct traffic at Madera starting at 8:30 on October 15 are also needed. Reflective vests will be provided.

VOLUNTEERS – On Thursday, October 13 Laura plans to have a volunteer meeting to go over some of the things that are going to happen at the clothing drive, what the job responsibilities are and the layout for the day. The meeting will begin at 4:00 pm on the patio at the Madera Clubhouse. Please plan to attend if you are signing up to volunteer. Thank you!

Coupons

Coupons for the National Guard should expire October 10 or later. Coupons destined for overseas should expire August 1 or later. Please, no unclipped coupons, to include those for restaurants.

Coupons may be dropped off at Judy Poffenbarger’s (2390 E Bluejay Bluff Lane) or Peggy Richmond’s (2731 E. Eba Court) at any time. Both have a box by their front doors. And coupons may be left on one of the tables at the back of the ballroom on September 26.

Thank you to all the ladies that have taken time to make this contribution happen. [PREPPING COUPONS]

Honor Flight

The WWII, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans were sent off royally Saturday and a huge crowd welcomed them back thanking them for their service Monday night. It was a wonderful sight.

The Patriot Guard Riders came on motorcycles and stood a flag line. Many youth in military high school programs, active duty personnel and retired military as well as friends and family were in attendance. Post 131 Auxiliary was well represented.

Patriotic lap quilts were distributed amongst the veterans. The Arizona Rangers escorted the veterans from the gate through a tunnel created by the crowd.

If you are inclined to make a quilt, it can be given to Kay Robinson. Thank you for your support and the wonderful letters for Mail Call. Photos from this honor flight can be accessed by clicking this LINK. The next flight #23 will be in April of 2017.

Save the Date – UPCOMING EVENTS

♦ October 31 – 11:00 a.m. – TWOQC Membership Luncheon – This annual event provides an opportunity for the Club to report to the membership regarding the current status of the Club as well as sharing plans for the future. It also provides an excellent opportunity for members to be recognized for the hard work and generosity of time and talents they have given to help make TWOQC one of the most active organizations in Quail Creek.

This year’s program will feature Heather Rowe, nighttime TV news anchor for KOLD, Channel 13. Ms. Rowe’s remarks will be preceded by lunch. There will be a no-host bar opening at 10:30 a.m. The initial program and lunch will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Madera Clubhouse ballroom.

Tickets for the October 31 luncheon are $10 for members and $20 for guests and will be available at the September 26 program of TWOQC.

♦ November 5 – 4:00 p.m. – Mark your calendars for a concert of patriotic music featuring the Gatekeepers. All TWOQC proceeds will go towards funding scholarships for females.

♦ November 14 – 6:30 p.m. – Nutcracker Ballet Selections · Ballet Continental Dance Company

♦ December 12 – 12:30 p.m. – “O Christmas Tree” Holiday Luncheon · Musical Trio: Cyndy Gierada, Ray Herbert, and Robert Lewis