www.SanTanSun.com
Opinion
Dec. 15 - Jan. 18, 2008 31
Community Commentary from Page 30
the fi re crews themselves fi nd people to a deserving child somewhere in the a toy drive at the Chandler Fashion Toy Run, his spirit and courage are
in need through their normal course Valley. The drive began 20 years ago Center mall. While this year’s event being recognized Valleywide.
of duty. If there are more families than when he began soliciting donations has passed, people can still drop off No one should have to wish for basic
the Fire Department can accommodate, on the air. When the wife of a fallen unwrapped toys at any of the City’s fi re needs like a pillow to sleep on. We
employees from other City departments Tempe police offi cer got involved, he stations. To donate to the annual Toy have many social service agencies in
fi ll the void. Local Girl Scout troops help decided this was a perfect avenue for Run, simply visit www.policetoydrive. Chandler who seemingly make miracles
the fi refi ghters wrap the gifts. It’s a the Valley’s law enforcement personnel com, or call 480-899-0366. Businesses come true this time of year. Please do
wonderful program and it was great to to come together each holiday season. can get involved by holding holiday what you can to help out. I know that
be able to sit down with Jason recently as Chandler’s Police Department has events that encourage toy donations. the Chandler community is a generous
we taped a Chandler in Focus program been a leading agency in the cause for A volunteer Santa (Police Santas dress one. And the work of our employees is
for Chandler’s Cable Channel 11. many years. Regionally, as many as 500 in blue suits, Fire Santas in red) will mirrored by the generosity of residents
Also on the show was someone many volunteers help each year. even be made available to pick up the across the City. That is one of the
in the Valley recognize for his decades These are two examples of how toys during the event. This year’s Toy reasons I am so proud to be a part of
of work on local radio, W. Steven Chandler City employees donate their Run is dedicated to Shevy Wright, the this community. Here’s wishing you
Martin. A Chandler resident, W. Steven time and resources each year to make brave young boy who earlier this year all a very happy holiday season and a
has been coordinating a toy drive with what can be a diffi cult time for some, a was adopted by the Chandler Police wonderful new year.
the help of local public safety agencies little easier. Of course, residents can get Department and made an honorary
including Chandler’s. This year, his involved with these efforts as well. Each offi cer. Sadly, he lost his fi ght to cancer
program will deliver its 2 millionth toy December the Fire Department holds just a few weeks ago. But through the
Letters
to the
Editor
Touched by caring
perhaps it’s an even greater thrill plants all over the world to do
community
for those members of the Kiwanis away with IDD. Internationally,
Thank you for sharing the Max’s
Club who work to help coordinate we are close to raising about $75
Market story with our community.
and fund so many community million to accomplish this. Local
My little girl was born with a
events that target Chandler’s clubs are raising thousands of
congenital heart defect and we
future leaders. dollars to help out. Something to
spent her fi rst three months at
So, who are the people who make think about next time we ask you
Phoenix Children’s Hospital. While
up this service club? Many of you to play in our golf tournament, or
we are not a family with fi nancial
have already come across members buy some roses or gourmet nuts
need, it was so nice to get into
of the Chandler Kiwanis Club a from us.
Isabelle’s room and see her with a
time or two. There are hundreds of The Chandler Kiwanis Club, like
new pair of socks, staring at a new
Kiwanians active in Chandler and the many other excellent service
toy or with a pretty blanket tucked
throughout the Southeast Valley. clubs in the city, can only be as
around her. It made us feel like so
We give scholarships to high successful as their membership
many other people cared about
school seniors – maybe even yours allows. I encourage anyone
her well-being. At Isabelle’s fi rst
– to the tune of $4,000 annually. interested in knowing more
birthday we requested no gifts,
You lucky ones have had a dozen about our efforts to call. I think
just donations for Max’s Market.
roses delivered to you in the fall on you will be both surprised and
It was nice to give back, and I
Kiwanis Rose Day. impressed with our group, goals
know fi rsthand how it will make
You do business with us, play golf and accomplishments.
some other child and parent feel.
with us, and may have even gone Hopefully you will consider
So I just wanted to thank you for
to an event at the Center for the membership as well. It would mean
making this need known!
Arts, which we have sponsored. As a lot to us, but more importantly,
Kym Vierthaler, Fonte al Sole
I mentioned, your child may have it would be a tremendous way
received a new book in school to volunteer your time to your
from the Reading Is Fundamental country and community in an
Kiwanis cares for kids
program -- compliments of us. Is organization celebrating its 50th
This holiday season, the
your teenager a member of the anniversary to Chandler service.
members of the Chandler Kiwanis
Key Club or Builder’s Club? We For more information about the
Club are once again busy helping
support them too. Ever visited Chandler Kiwanis Club, please
others in the community. Whether
Chuparosa Park in Chandler? We contact membership chair Leroy
it’s adopting a family for Christmas,
adopted the park several years ago Tapia at 602-256-2565. You can
helping to feed the hungry at the
and visit once a month to ensure also visit us on the web at www.
Chandler Christian Community
it’s clean and enjoyable for your
chandlerazkiwanis.org or email us
Center, or ringing bells for the
use. at
info@chandlerazkiwanis.org.
local Salvation Army, we do a lot
OK, so we get around a lot. But Dave Bigos, Publicity Chair,
of work that may go unnoticed in
what is the essence of what we do? Chandler Kiwanis Club
our City.
Few may know that over the past
Throughout the past 50 years, we
few years, Kiwanis, a worldwide
have touched the lives of countless
organization with hundreds of
individuals in many positive ways.
thousands of members, is working
Our work certainly brings joy to
to eradicate a disease known as
Letters to the Editor
We know you have your opinion! Share it
hundreds of kids each year as we
Iodine Defi ciency Disorder (IDD).
with the SanTan Sun News. Unless you’re the
treat them to trips to IMAX (entire
In many countries, including our
Mayor, please keep your “Letters to the Editor”
around 200-300 words, or they may be edited
schools at a time!), free books and
own, a lack of iodized salt has been
for length. Please include your fi rst and last
lessons on leadership through our
responsible for cretinism, a disease
name, community or development name in
Southern Chandler (Cooper Commons, Ocotillo,
many school partnerships. Earlier
that results in mental retardation,
Sun Groves, etc.) or zip code and daytime
this year we made sure every
goiters, and other disorders. The
phone number for verifi cation. Anonymous
letters are not typically accepted. Opinions
Chandler Unifi ed School District
process of putting iodine into table
expressed in Community Commentaries,
classroom had a United States
salt is the solution. Letters to the editor or cartoons are those
of the author, and not that of the SanTan
fl ag, funding a state mandate so
Kiwanis has committed itself
Sun News. Email is the preferred submission
the schools would not have to. But
to building and retrofi tting salt method, to
Letters@SanTanSun.com.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72