Jeanne and Bill Becker
In October the Sun Lakes Community Foundation awarded grants to three local groups:
• The Sun Lakes Instrumental Ensemble ($1,150) to help them purchase new music stands and sheet music, enhancing their ability to perform at local events and gatherings and to support their ongoing community music programs, which provide entertainment and enrichment for residents throughout the year.
• The Sun Lakes Apple Club to pay for their three-year web-hosting expense so that they can continue their work with Apple Club members for the next three years.
• The Palo Verde Men’s Golf, working with the Safety & Security Committee, to purchase an AED device to be housed at the golf course Pro Shop ($3,000), to potentially save lives due to heart attacks on or near the golf course.
The Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation was established to enhance the quality of life for the older population in the East Valley, including all Sun Lakes residents, in the areas of health, education, and culture. Our fundraising events include our annual December Christmas formal dinner-dance event, this year called the Candy Cane Christmas Gala, which is on Sunday, Dec. 14, in the Cottonwood ballroom, and the 5th Annual Country Hoedown, which will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, also in the Cottonwood ballroom. Foundation members sell raffle tickets at Tribute Band Concerts, and, of course, we always welcome donations. We have recently expanded our “asks” for citizens to donate items valued in excess of $500, such as working autos and golf carts, one- to two-weeks’ use of timeshares, sports memorabilia, unique artworks, rare vintage wines, etc. If you are able to contribute any such valuable item(s) to the Sun Lakes Community Foundation, please contact Chris Schneck, Foundation director, at chrisschneck92@gmail.com, and he will work with you to process your donation and provide a receipt that you can give to your tax professional.
A new “no stress” fundraising opportunity: Kroger (Fry’s Food Stores) Community Rewards Program. First, you need a Fry’s shoppers card, then you go online to www.FrysFood.com, scroll to the bottom of the home page to “About Us” to “Community Rewards,” click on “Link Your Card to an Organization,” and follow the easy instructions. Our organization’s name is Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation, #AL 792. Donations from Fry’s to us are based on a percentage of the volume of purchases at Fry’s Food Stores, so the more people who sign up, the higher the amount donated back to the Foundation for our fundraising efforts.
In the past seven years, the Foundation has donated over $200,000 to local Sun Lakes clubs and organizations. If you are part of an organization that needs some financial support, please go to our website at slcommunityfoundation.com to apply.