Foundation Grants for 2009-2010

Awards were given to:

Adelante Healthcare has been a healthcare provider in the West Valley for over 30 years. The grant will be used to provide primary care service for the working poor in Surprise who do not qualify for any other programs.

Arizona Broadway Theatre Performing Arts Association will use the funds in partnership with the Maricopa County Library District's Northwest Regional Library to present an early literacy/educational/arts program on The Velveteen Rabbit in March 2011.

Arizona Funeral, Cemetery & Cremation Association Foundation for Children gives medical aid to school age children with needs that are not commonly met by other service organizations. Recipients are identified by school nurses.

Banner Boswell Nursing Education Center has partnered with Mesa Community College since 1982. The tuition assistance grant will enable one Banner Boswell employee to complete his/her degree in nursing.

Banner Olive Branch Senior Center prepares 65,000 meals annually and, in addition, feeds more than 8,000 families, children and seniors each year by opening its pantry as an on-site no-cost distribution center. The monies received will be used to purchase service and food items for their senior nutrition program.

Benevilla's (formerly Interfaith) campus on Greasewood St. in Surprise houses a Family Resource Center, Child Development Center (ages 6 weeks to 5 years), Adult Day Center, Interactive and Intergenerational program and a social center/cafe. This grant will be pooled with other Area 4 Rotary clubs.

KAET TV (Channel 8 - Arizona PBS) in support of local programming.

NAMI West Valley provides education, support and advocacy in the West Valley designed to educate participants on mental illness, how it affects individuals with the illness and their families, and how to help on the road to recovery.

St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance served 23,000 unduplicated clients though their Westside facility last year. Funds will be used for the Emergency Food and Baby Box programs for those experiencing short-term financial emergencies.

Sun Cities Area Transit System delivers 30,000 rides annually to local residents including transportation to medical appointments, shopping, or recreation centers. The award will help subsidize the cost of maintaining this essential service.

Sun Valley Lodge Retirement Center was the first retirement center in Sun City and provides a continuum of care for seniors from independent living to skilled nursing for up to 64 residents in need of 24-hour care. The grant will assist in replacing mattresses and pillows for the electronic hospital beds.

Washington High School Interact Club has been sponsored by the Sun City Rotary Club for ten years and has over 200 members participating in weekly projects to help those less fortunate such as Andres' House and St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance. The grant will enable the school to replace ramadas over the picnic tables on the quad which disintegrated. In addition, the Foundation awarded seven graduating Interact members college scholarships.

Throughout the year, the Sun City Youngtown Rotary Foundation funds monthly lunches and awards for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from Thompson Ranch Elementary School, sends high school students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference, and assists the Surprise Fire Department with its Christmas Isles of Smiles project.