Jeanne Becker, Foundation Treasurer
The Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation has made its annual award of $6,000 to the Sun Lakes Firefighters Food Fund, which is used by the firefighters and EMS personnel at Stations 231 and 232 to help supplement the cost of food, which they pay for themselves because there is no fire department stipend to pay for food while they are on duty. The award amount is divided among the six shifts in both firehouses, so each shift gets $1,000 to help alleviate the cost of buying their food, which is prepared communally by each shift. The Foundation is proud to assist our firefighters and EMS personnel in this way.
AFMA Fire Chief Mark Burdick said, “On behalf of the men and women assigned to AFMA’s Sun Lakes fire houses, we express our sincere gratitude and thanks to the Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation for your generous donation. Your support for our firefighters and paramedics is truly appreciated, and the $6,000 donation is being directly allocated to the firefighters ($1,000 for each of the six shifts) to help supplement their healthy food budget. While we are ready to respond 24 hours a day for 365 days a year, good nutrition is essential, and this award will go a long way toward keeping our firefighters healthy and ready. We all give a big ‘thank you so much’ to the Foundation for this donation!”
Also at the same location, a $3,500 check was donated to the Art at the Lakes group to assist them in incorporating into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and also to provide funds to cover rental and transportation for all tables and chairs, plus funds for publicity, for this year’s Art at the Lakes event at the Cottonwood greenbelt. Therefore, the majority of the profit from the successful art event was able to be donated to the AFMA Firefighters Charities, which “offers assistance to members, citizens, and charitable organizations who have faced unforeseen circumstances with uncompensated financial assistance while perpetually maintaining our core values of service, integrity, and compassion.”
President and event coordinator Denise Haynie said, “A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation. The team at Art at the Lakes extends our deepest gratitude to the Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation for your generous donation to our Art Show fundraiser. Your support has been not only a significant financial contribution but also a heartfelt endorsement of the importance of our mission. With your help, we were able to reach our fundraising goal and proudly make a meaningful donation to the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority Firefighters Charities. The Foundation’s commitment to giving back to the community is an inspiring example of generosity and compassion, and we are honored to partner with you in this important work. Thanks to your kindness, we are filled with renewed hope and determination as we continue our efforts to serve and support our Sun Lakes community.”
The Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation has been established to enhance the quality of life for the older population in the East Valley, including Sun Lakes residents, in the areas of health, safety, education, and culture. The Foundation gives grants and awards to local nonprofits, service organizations, and local clubs to enhance their work in all our Sun Lakes communities. If you are part of an organization that needs financial support, to apply for a grant or an award, please go to slcommunityfoundation.com.