By Susan Summers
What a year it has been for Greater Vail Community Resources, full of challenges, changes and some standout success stories. We often salute our incredible volunteers—and they are completely amazing– but as we begin 2022, it seems the right time to recognize some of our biggest financial donors and to honor individuals and groups who donate in non-financial ways.
To begin, the November 2021 annual golf challenge fundraiser was the best ever primarily due to the great turnout and support of top tier sponsors: Safeway / Albertsons Companies Foundation, Arby’s (Rita Ranch), Jill Anderson (Long Realty), Expert Restaurant Supply, Fraternal Order of Police (Tucson Lodge 1), GR Financial Group, Hughes Federal Credit Union, Jill Pilling (Long Realty), Rita Ranch Automotive & Tire, and Vulcan Materials Company. The many hole sponsors and tee sponsors are too numerous to name, but as we all know, it’s the sponsor support that makes or breaks a golf tournament fundraiser.
We also owe a great debt of thanks to our grocery rescue partners and individual donors who provide Resources Vail Food Bank with meats, produce, breads, desserts, canned goods staples and more. So a big shout out goes to the managers and employees of our local Walmarts, Fry’s, Trader Joe’s (store #95) and our Vail Safeway, the latter of which also runs “check-out” fundraisers for our food bank and helps provide holiday meals for our clients.
While corporate donors such as Hudbay / Rosemont Copper, Freeport-McMoRan, Long Realty and others are essential to the success of ReSources, our nonprofit also has been gifted with the talents of many groups and individuals. This past year, Pastor Rob Davis of Living Branch Church and several congregants put some sweat equity into the Depot Thrift Store, cleaning out sky lights and constructing slick new slat walls, perfect for hanging art and objects. Likewise, our partnership with St. Rita’s Catholic Church Outreach Ministry, led by Regina Tiedemann, has been critical to the success of school food drives within the Vail School District, the weekend nutritional “backpack” program for Vail students, and with holiday meal distribution events. Kudos to faith-based supporters and other groups who have stepped in help with specific needs during the year.
The beautiful iron sculpture of two saguaros that you see outside the Depot Thrift Store was made and donated by Leon Boerup who also fixed the thrift store’s pavers making them less of a trip hazard for patrons. Another example of kindness was when “Silver” Bill Smith raised funds for Resources while serenading Hacienda del Lago patrons with his guitar, and then matched the total donated with his own coin. There are many more stories like this—generous donations given with no expectation of reward, but given to make a difference for our community. The volunteers, staff and directors of Resources know that whatever success we have is merely a reflection of the hearts of those who help, and we thank you all. To learn more, visit: www.resourcesvail.org.
Susan Summers is a ReSources board member and Vail resident who loves golf and the beauty of the Sonoran desert. Before her retirement, she served as dean of the College of Extended Learning at California State University, San Bernardino.
