Leisure World News

A4 March 2022 • Community • www.lwca.com Don’t miss the Leisure World Foundation Premier Lecture Series with speaker Bill Harrison, “Arizona’s Road Scholar,” on Wednesday, March 23. He will discuss Arizona’s magnificent caves, in particular, Kartchner Caverns and Grand Canyon Caverns. Kartchner Caverns in Southern Arizona are called “the last undiscovered treasure of the American West.” Two young men discovered the caverns in 1974. To protect the cave from vandals, they kept the location secret for 14 years. Today, Kartchner Caverns State Park attracts millions of visitors who want to experience this extraordinary environment. Grand Canyon Caverns, off Historic 66 in Northern Arizona, could be one of the largest caves in the world. Research indicates there are massive chambers yet to be explored in this dry, pristine condition after decades of tourists. These caverns have intriguing secrets to share! Representatives from charitable organizations will also be introduced at the beginning of the presentation at 5:45 p.m. Tables will be set for them to talk to residents after the presentation. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Hopi/Pima Room at Rec 2. Valley Goldmine Fundraiser When Laura Quartermaine from Valley Goldmine scheduled the six-hour day at Leisure World, she was hoping to meet many residents with items to be evaluated. That is exactly what happened. At the end of the day, a check for $1,067 was given to the Leisure World Foundation. Thank you to all the residents and volunteers who helped to coordinate the day! Hot Tropical Nights It was a hot night at Rec. 2 ballroom on Saturday, January 29. Thank you to all who attended and helped raise money through participation, 50-50 drawing and silent auction items. The group was treated to Samba dancers, great food and good dancing music. Pat Connolley oversaw the evening with an emphasis on fun! Grant Recipients The Leisure World Foundation’s Grants Committee, composed of Chris Reinhold and Jim Davis, and with the Foundation Board approval, selected the following charitable organizations to receive funds: • Child Crisis Center: Their emphasis is pre-K education for those below poverty level. • Save the Family: Their emphasis is in housing for homeless female veterans and their families. • Lutheran Social Services: Their emphasis is homeless emergency lodging. • Bag and Boob Babes: Their contribution towards postage for delivery of items to breast cancer patients. • Prison Ministry: Their emphasis is funding of high school courses for incarcerated women. • Assistance League of the East Valley: Funds are spent on assault survivor kits for victims of crime. The 2022 total distributed is $35,000. These funds are raised through Leisure World fundraisers and the following Leisure World groups: Pickleball, Tennis, the Theatre Clubs. Thank you for attending and helping provide these grants! Future articles will highlight these organizations and their work. Library Fund Drive The Leisure World Library is continuing their annual fund drive. The foundation will match the first $2,000 raised. This is a double benefit for donors. Book costs have increased, ($26 for regular print book or $35 for large print book). Residents appreciate having this resource within the community. Resident volunteers keep the place running and books on the shelves. Golfing at Coyote The 2022 Leisure World Charity Golf Tournament is on Thursday, March 24 at Coyote Run Golf Course with tee times for foursomes starting at 1:00 p.m. It will be a scramble format with men hitting from red tees and women hitting from yellow tees. There will be a delicious dinner catered by Premier Catering following the tournament and social hour (BYOB). Prizes for overall low score, low score for mixed men/women foursomes and overall high score will be distributed at the dinner. Registration for golf and dinner are $60 per person and extra dinners are $25. Registration will be at the Coyote Run Pro Shop with deadline on March 21 by noon. Participants should bring extra dollars to purchase mulligans (a steal at $5 each) and participate in games at various holes. Come before tee time to purchase mulligans and get rules and goodie bags. Golfers will have an opportunity to win a new Lexus on hole #6 with a hole in one. Barry Jacobsen is coordinating the event and volunteers. This tournament, along with other Foundation Challenge Day events, provides funds that are distributed to various East Valley charities selected each year from applications submitted to the Leisure World Foundation Board. In 2021, $35,000 was distributed by the foundation through the generous support of Challenge Days participants. LWF Celebrates 25 Years! The Leisure World Foundation is celebrating 25 years since its creation! To celebrate this landmark, the foundation began to search for an enduring structure with the goal of improving Leisure World residents’ quality of life. Fitness Trail Stations were identified as meeting this criteria. People may have seen these stations at various parks with areas to stop, use the constructed equipment and exercise according to displayed directions. Leisure World Foundation Board member Jim Davis is working with the Leisure World Facilities and Landscape Department to identify the best areas for these stations. The south walking trail will be the beginning focus of the discussion. These will be set up in common areas and will not obstruct residents’ property or views. “We will be making a presentation to the Leisure World Board within the next few months,” explains Jim. Stay tuned for more details! Foundation Flashes LWFoundation Donations January 1-31, 2022 Friends Endowment Fund Ken and Joan Killham Rick and Judy Lewis Dick Steckelberg Challenge Days Jeff and Terri Sanders Phil and Luanne Pendorf Amanda Moore Elm Valley Goldmine Shirley Johnson Dean Johnson Unrestricted Pat Watkins Amy Johannesen John and Joyce Vandel Elyce Yunowich Mark and Ruth Pechmann Dennis and Sharon Smith Gene and Betty Hamilton Bob and Carol Pettitt Jens and Jennifer Pederson Moore Family Gifts Richard and Rosanne Shorma Valerie Evans Ken and Marcia Steele Enhancement Fund Dean Johnson Library Rick and Judy Lewis Learn All About Arizona’s Magnificent Caves at Premier Lecture Series! Mesmerizing Kartchner Caverns in Southern Arizona. Cormier Plumbing LLC. DAVID CORMIER: OWNER/OPERATOR (480) 229-6580 • waywood13@gmail.com Mesa, AZ • Licensed, Bonded, Insured • ROC #306322 Drain Cleaning Faucets • Disposals Water Heaters and more... 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