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.