Earn Charitable Tax Credits Before Tax Day by Supporting the SCHOA Foundation

The Charitable Tax Credit allows Arizona taxpayers to claim a dollar-for-dollar credit when they make donations to qualifying charities like SCHOA Foundation.

When is the deadline to make a tax credit donation?
TAX DAY! Contributions made to a Qualifying Charitable Organization (like SCHOA Foundation) that are made on or before April 15th may be applied to either the current or the preceding taxable year for your Arizona State tax return.

How much can I contribute?
To receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Arizona state taxes, donors can give a maximum of $495 for single taxpayers or heads of household and $987 for couples filing jointly.

What if I donate to another entity? Can I claim this credit, too?
YES! There are four different qualified areas eligible for a tax credit, and you can claim each of them in the same tax year, up to your tax liability from that year.

How will my donation to SCHOA Foundation be used? You may designate your donation to go to the RAMP program helping Sun City Residents, who cannot financially or physically clean their own exterior property. Or you may ask the donation to go towards the repainting of 17 miles walls throughout Sun City (photo below). This will cost you nothing as you will receive that amount back as a credit to your 2024 Arizona taxes. It is always great, in keeping our donated monies in Sun City to help our own community.

If you are not familiar with the AZ Tax Credit program follow the following steps:

Step 1 – Donate to SCHOA Foundation, 10401 W Coggins Dr, Sun City, AZ 85351. (You can donate online here)
Step 2 – File your taxes & claim the credit by using the SCHOA Foundation code 22263.

Your donation will help our Sun City neighbors in need, in cleaning their property back to community standards. Above is an example of a property of over-grown trees and shrubbery with abundant weeds that we recently cleaned for the owner. It was done at no cost to the homeowner and paid by donations from people who wanted to help. The owner, after his property was cleaned and bushes trimmed, was delighted and very appreciative of how it turned out.

For more information on the process, visit the Arizona Department of Revenue’s Website by clicking here.

On behalf of the many property owners, who have been helped, I want to extend a big THANK YOU for your past and future donations which help many Sun City residents in a time of need.
Tax deductible donations to the SCHOA Foundation can be made online by visiting SunCityHOA.org/Foundation.

– Lloyd Maple
SCHOA Foundation President

SCHOA Looks to Membership Growth for Success

The Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA) kicked off 2025 with our Annual Meeting – celebrating our accomplishments in 2024 and sharing our 2025 goals.

It was important to begin the annual overview by reminding the audience that SCHOA has a long, rich history behind the very development of Sun City – and has continued to serve as a protector and advocate over the past 62 years.

While SCHOA membership is voluntary, adherence to the CC&Rs, otherwise known as deed restrictions, is mandatory. And membership growth can have a big impact on the entire community.

The good news is, membership in 2024 increased by nearly 500 new members, as new and current programs and activities were launched to educate, and support the community – including workshops, our electronic recycling event, the new residents’ orientation, and our annual Senior EXPO. Additionally, we launched our SCHOA online Merch Shop, updated our popular Sun City map — which is a community favorite — and launched our first annual Merry and Bright Christmas Lights Contest.

Compliance received 3,528 complaints in 2024, which is approximately 13 per day. The most reported issue is the condition of property. Kristine Schmitz, our compliance manager, reminded those in attendance that SCHOA enforces the CC&Rs, and what we don’t and can’t do is handle issues that involves law enforcement or civil cases.

SCHOA hosted the first Sun City Day of Service in October which brought out more than a hundred volunteers who helped to clean up 12 properties. This was a true community effort, and we are grateful for all those who volunteered their time to bless others. SCHOA also cleaned an additional 16 properties through our Community Intervention Program (CIP) and 3 properties throughout SCHOA Foundation RAMP program. So, in 2024, a total of 31 properties were cleaned through SCHOA.

Ed Van Ness, SCHOA Board President, told the audience that he was proud of what SCHOA has accomplished, and is looking forward to taking more steps forward in 2025. To quote him, “There are a lot of great things happening at SCHOA, and I only expect it to grow.”

I agreed with President Van Ness. I believe 2024 was a transformational and innovative year for SCHOA. Together our entire team has accomplished so much and I’m super proud of them. We look forward to continuing serving the community as we move into 2025.

The Sun City HOA provides a wide variety of resources to Sun City residents:

·        SCHOA maintains our CC&Rs or deed restrictions for single-family homes which protect property values.

·        SCHOA protects the age overlay that ensures we remain an affordable active adult community.

·        SCHOA monitors legislation and utility rates that could affect Sun City.

·        SCHOA offers a robust Business Partner Referral Program to its members that allows them to find companies that have been vetted and avoid being the target of scams and frauds.

·        SCHOA educates the community with a variety of events and meetings, as well as programs and activities from the monthly Roads and Safety Committee meetings to the recent First Annual Merry & Bright Christmas Lights Contest.

SCHOA membership is only $25 annually per household and is key to achieving its mission. It’s the best $25 you can invest in your community.

Learn more about the Sun City Home Owners Association at www.SunCityHOA.org, call (623) 974-4718 or stop by the office Monday-Thursday 9:00am until 3:00pm and Friday 9:00am until Noon at 10401 W. Coggins Drive, Sun City.

— Lisa Gray, General Manager

Merry and Bright Homes

The full list of Merry & Bright Christmas Lights Contest homes and the numbers they are listed by on the map:

Visit here to vote for your favorite – they are listed in the order of their numbers with photo.

Merry Christmas!

  1. 20026 N. Concho Circle
  2. 10138 W. Sombrero Circle
  3. 18829 N. Welk Drive
  4. 10806 W. Willowbrook Drive
  5. 11013 W. Jacaranda Drive
  6. 17039 N. Del Webb Blvd.
  7. 17411 N. Boswell Blvd.
  8. 9802 W. Evergreen Drive
  9. 9727 W. Calico Drive
  10. 9727 W. Cottonwood Drive
  11. 18423 N. 94th Avenue
  12. 9403 W. Willowbrook Drive
  13. 16829 N. Pine Valley Drive
  14. 9506 W. Burns Drive
  15. 9411 W. Cedar Hill Circle
  16. 15805 N. Lakeforest Drive
  17. 15614 N. Bolivar Drive
  18. 15618 N. Bolivar Drive
  19. 9906 N. Newport Drive
  20. 10307 W. Desert Forest Circle
  21. 10332 W. Desert Forest Circle
  22. 10349 W. Talisman Road
  23. 10240 W. Charter Oak Drive
  24. 10619 W. Ridgeview Drive
  25. 10741 W. Brookside Drive
  26. 10926 W. Meade Drive
  27. 12105 N. Frontier Drive
  28. 10924 W. Roundelay Circle
  29. 10950 W. Tropicana Circle
  30. 11005 W. Cameo Drive
  31. 10309 W. Floriade Drive
  32. 14240 N. 103rd Avenue
  33. 9909 W. Oakstone Drive
  34. 14426 N. Arrowhead Court
  35. 14441 N. Boswell Blvd.
  36. 14233 N. Boswell Blvd.
  37. 9201 W. Raintree Drive
  38. 10020 W. Royal Oak Road (R)
  39. 9517 W. Alabama Avenue
  40. 11827 N. Sun Valley Drive
  41. 10520 W. Crosby Drive
  42. 11208 N. 109th Avenue
  43. 10237 N. 106th Avenue
  44. 10351 W. Andover Avenue
  45. 10811 W. Camden Avenue
  46. 10053 N. 110th Avenue
  47. 11166 W. Cumberland Drive
  48. 11034 W. Cinnebar Avenue
  49. 10642 W. Mission Lane
  50. 10408 W. Mission Lane

Digital Map Tour

merry bright sponsors

  • The Merry & Bright Digital Tour can be used on phones, tablets and desktop computers.
  • The tour features all homes registered to take part in the contest to win prizes including the “Whoville Award” voted on by the public.
  • All homes are located in Sun City, Arizona.
  • The tour should immediately scroll to street level as you scroll down to each home featured. While we numbered the map for your ease in identifying homes to vote for, you can scroll down to any home you would like to see and travel in the order of your preference.
  • Click on the “+” over each photo to get a closer look.
  • Anyone can enjoy the tour and vote for the “Whoville Award” winner.
  • One vote per person toward the “Whoville Award.”
  • Paper maps are also available at the SCHOA Office during open hours, at 10401 W. Coggins Drive, Sun City (Monday – Thursday ) 9:00am – 3:00pm and Friday 9:00am to Noon (Closed Holidays).

SCHOA Launches First Sun City Merry & Bright Christmas Lights Contest



Sun City – want to show off your Holiday Spirit?

SCHOA is on a mission to turn up the Merry – and the Bright – in Sun City with the launch of a new holiday tradition that embraces the joy of the season.

The SCHOA Merry & Bright Christmas Lights Contest is the first of a planned annual tradition that encourages Sun City to showcase their decorated homes as part of a holiday lights tour that involves prizes and the community voting for their favorite.

“There is nothing that brings community together with love and joy, like the Christmas season. It really is the Most Wonderful time of year, and we want to add to that joy in our very own hometown,” said Lisa Gray, SCHOA’s General Manager. “I’m excited about SCHOA hosting this community event and encourage homeowners to participate and share their holiday spirit with all of us.”

One of the most famous Christmas movies, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” captures the spirit of the new tradition, Gray added: “I love the famous quote where the Grinch after visiting Whoville, sums it all up in the end, as he spreads Christmas spirit in a way we envision this new tradition doing:  Simply put, “Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”

Prizes will be awarded for the following categories – the “Whoville Award” (which will be chosen by Sun City residents), the “Griswald Award” (Lights, Lights and More Lights!), the “Gingerbread Award” (Best Use of Homemade Decorations), the “GO BIG or GO HOME Award” (Best use of Inflatables), and the “Small but Sparkly” (Best Decorated Porch, Patio or Balcony).

Registration begins on November 21 and ends on December 12.  SCHOA membership is required to enter a home in the contest. Lights should be displayed beginning December 15 through January 1. SCHOA Board Members along with event sponsors will be the official judges and judging will take place on December 18.

Maps will be made available online, and in paper format, for the entire community to tour the homes on their own time, and then vote for their favorite.

As registration begins, and the map comes together, updates will be shared online and in SCHOA’s newsletters, which residents can sign up to receive by subscribing to our emails and newsletter at SunCityHOA.org

To register and review the official rules visit www.suncityhoa.org/lights.

 

SCHOA Day of Service Builds Community Amid Big Changes

 Sun City is often called the City of Volunteers.

On the last Friday of October, more than 100 volunteers brought that sentiment to light.

Dozens armed with rakes, shovels and weeding tools, spread across a dozen Sun City front yard and back yards – and made a dramatic difference across the community, one weed and branch at a time.

The more than 100 volunteers took part in the Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA)’s inaugural Day of Service on October 24, an event aimed at cleaning landscaping for property owners who demonstrated they could not physically and/or financially do themselves.

The event drew a great deal of community excitement, with volunteers from SCHOA, to firefighters and sheriff deputies, members of the Sun City PRIDES and dozens of residents, all showing up to serve their fellow neighbors.

“The Day of Service was well organized by our Compliance Manager, Kristine Schmitz, and this was about showing that with code compliance comes compassion – and we find ways to help when our neighbors truly cannot do tasks on their own,” said Lisa Gray, General Manager of SCHOA.

Ed Van Ness, SCHOA Board President, was among those who went to work, as neighbors watched on, smiles across their faces. “This is hard work, but it feels great, and it really shows what SCHOA is all about in this community,” he said.

Residents, new and old to Sun City, were inspired to get involved.

“I love to help people,” said Pat Morgan, who trimmed a property with husband Ed Morgan. “I am still learning about how Sun City works, and when I saw this, I knew it was a great idea to help those who can’t handle this themselves.” Ed agreed, adding, “Hopefully we will show the rest of the country that there are people who care about them.”

Lea and Jeff Gallagher joined the effort to help neighbors in their community. “I have my own stuff to take care of, yes, but I understand that some people just can’t do this kind of work, and I feel helping them out shows the spirit of Sun City,” Jeff explained.

Joe Lawless was one of the homeowners who received the assistance, and the Vietnam and Korea war veteran said he was nearly brought to tears.

“About 7:15am, a crew was out there clearing out the front, and then they went to the back,” Lawless said. “I don’t think if I paid a professional, they could have done it as well as this crew did.  I almost filled up with tears, it just blew me away.  This is almost like a whole new life – it is just incredible.”

Planning sponsors of the SCHOA-led event included Sun City Fire & Medical Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Maricopa County and Supervisor Clint Hickman, the Sun City PRIDES, Parks and Sons of Sun City, and two

SCHOA Business partners – SVH Landscaping Services and the NIXON GROUP.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Captain Brian Stutsman was among a crew working hard cutting, trimming and filling two large 40-foot dumpsters donated by Parks and Sons of Sun City, and the team of SVH Landscaping Services also donated their crew to also help move tons upon tons of cut and trimmed landscaping that opened up “new worlds” to the dozen homeowners and their surrounding neighbors.  The NIXON GROUP team also donated their staff, water, food and a truck to help move even more tonnage of debris brought to the local landfill as properties were cleaned and cleared.

“We are just humbled to be a part of helping out our community,” said Amy Nixon.

Volunteers wore beads of sweat as they worked hard throughout the morning, like badges of pride, decorated with smiles of accomplishment.

“I am so proud of the work our team did, even after working a full shift,” said Kenny Kovac, Sun City Fire and Medical Department Fire Marshall.

Karen A. Johnstone, a PRIDES volunteer, said the effort “is a really big help, this is a start to something great. At this time in the nation, to care for somebody else is the way to go.” The event, she said, is a “reminder to join SCHOA!  It matters!”

Kristine Schmitz, SCHOA Compliance Manager, said plans are already underway for a Spring Day of Service, learning from the first event, and looking to help even more properties.

“We hope that our Day of Service not only brings real change, real help and a big improvement to our communities – for these homeowners and those around – but that it also bridges an understanding into why we all agree to maintain a certain standard for our properties, and that we are here to help when you may need it,” Schmitz explained.

Gray added, “The SCHOA team and I first and foremost want to take a moment to thank each group, and all of the volunteers, for a day of true hard work, and kindness, that has already made an impact, and created a new positive direction for the City of Volunteers. I’m proud to live in this community. Watch for our next Day of Service, as we make this a new tradition.”

Donations toward similar landscaping clean up projects can be made to the SCHOA Foundation and can be dropped off in person at the SCHOA Office at 10401 W. Coggins Drive in Sun City, or made online at www.SunCityHOA.org/Foundation.  Learn more or become a member of SCHOA at www.SunCityHOA.org/membership.

 

 

Hometown HERO Larry Carr

Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA) Presents Larry Carr with Hometown HERO Honor

hometown hero Larry Carr

SCHOA proudly celebrates another Hometown HERO honor, with the tribute of a long-time Sun City resident whose impact is written across the community in supportive, fun and celebratory events that continuously give back.

Larry Carr was surprised to be named a SCHOA Hometown HERO during a recent Thursday BINGO event hosted by the Sundial Men’s Club, with several of his family and friends in the audience.

“We present this honor to a person who moved to Sun City in 2000 with the premise of enjoying our many beautiful golf courses year-round, and in turn has left a trail of positive impact across our community,” said Lisa Gray, General Manager of Sun City Home Owners Association.

Gray joined SCHOA Board President Ed Van Ness and Compliance Manager Kristine Schmitz to present the honor as Carr stood on stage presenting BINGO prizes. Several family members donned “Larry’s Ladies” shirts as they showed their support from the audience.

Carr’s impact has, in fact, his name all over it – with the Men’s Club popular Man of the Year award often referred to as the “Larry Carr Man of the Year Award.”

When the Oakmont Recreation Center needed to be remodeled years ago, their club joined meetings temporarily with the Bell Recreation Center’s Men’s Club; prompting Carr to become a force in ultimately combining the clubs, and their separate Bingo efforts, into one massive positive force for Sun City.

Today, the Sundial Men’s Club packs the large center auditorium for BINGO and uses proceeds to distribute tens of thousands of dollars in donations to nonprofits throughout Sun City. Carr is also well known as the cook who serves delicious lunches at the Sundial club room, every Saturday for 60 to more than 100 guests.

His impact was so successful that the club eliminated a rule that a member could only serve as president for two years, “when the members realized how important and beneficial it was to have Larry leading the club,” Gray explained.

SCHOA Board President Ed Van Ness, also a long-time Men’s Club volunteer, thanked Carr for his impact “that leaves our community as a better place. Larry definitely deserves this honor and recognition. His impact will fuel the support our residents and neighbors long into the future, in many ways.”

The club has grown to more than 600 members, and also hosts three annual golf tournaments. Carr himself has served more than two decades on the club Board of Directors.

In addition to his efforts with the Men’s Club, Carr was instrumental with helping to put on the 40th Anniversary Parade in Sun City.

Every day at 7am, Carr is known to be the first to open the Men’s Club doors. “He is the heart and soul of the club,” Van Ness explained. “You can always find him at the club, every day from 7 am until Noon or longer.”

Congratulations to Larry for being SCHOA’s Hometown HERO.

SCHOA’s Hometown HERO Program was created to recognize and honor Sun City residents who are making a difference in the lives of others within our community. Recipients will be chosen monthly and could be an individual or group, but they must live in Sun City and serve Sun City residents. To nominate your SCHOA Hometown HERO, visit https://suncityhoa.org/hometownhero.

 

Medicare 101 FREE WORKSHOP

CONNIE HEALTH

Thursday, October 24, 2024 | 9:30AM – 11:00AM

Workshops take place in SCHOA Meeting Room, 10401 W. Coggins Drive, Sun City

Please RSVP by Phone or Email: Robert Odonnell or Rita Bancroft at 520 861 6280 or Robert.odonnell@conniehealth.com or rita@conniehealth.com

“MEDICARE 101”

Medicare is complex and evolving, it is a health insurance program for folks turning 65 years old and for people with certain disabilities. This seminar will give you a foundational understanding of Medicare— interactive questions are welcome as we navigate through the content discussed below.

You’ll learn how Medicare is administered and how Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services work together.

We will discuss the different parts of Medicare, how to make informed decisions about coverage, and the broader categories of cost, restrictions, and additional benefits. We will cover the time period(s) in which you can elect/change your Medicare coverage and lastly, the penalties one could incur as it relates to Medicare’s actionable rules and deadlines.

American Flag Retirement Locations

flag

 

American Legion Post 62
(Go to Bar area and they will direct you)
9847 W Desert Cove Avenue
Peoria, AZ 85345
623-972-8372

 

Elks Lodge
(Inside the front door, go left to the double doors)
10760 W Union Hills Drive
Sun City, AZ 85373
623-972-9552

 

Lowes Home Improvement
(Inside by Customer Service Desk)
8497 W Thunderbird Road
Peoria, AZ 85381
623-776-3382

 

Sun City Fire District Auxiliary
(Main Office)
18602 N 99th Avenue
Sun City, AZ 85373
623-974-2321

 

Sun City Library (Bell)
(Drop Box in lobby area)
16828 N 99th Avenue
Sun City, AZ 85351
602-652-300

 

Sun City Library (Fairway)
(Drop Box in lobby area outside the door to the library)
10600 W Peoria Avenue
Sun City, AZ 85351
602-652-3000

 

Sun City Posse (Main)
(Collection Box in Lobby of Posse Headquarters)
10861 W Sunland Drive
Sun City, AZ 85351
623.972.2555

 

Sunland Memorial Park and Mortuary
(Cemetery Office)
15826 N Del Webb Blvd
Sun City, AZ 85351
623-933-0161