December 2006
Bank Note$ - News You Can Bank On
ACB Volunteer(s) of the Month
ACB congratulates December’s Volunteer of the Month, a group of dedicated women from Church of the Palms in Sun City. Nominated by Jennifer Kehren, Coordinator of Volunteer Services for the West Valley Child Crisis Center, this team of committed volunteers comes to the West Valley Child Crisis Center’s Kids Campus to tutor the boys in one of the homes. Joyce Spaulding, Joyce Portz, Sheila Kuelbs, Jan Eckstein and Joni Babbitt spend time one-on-one helping children with homework, playing educational games, and encouraging the efforts of young students who struggle to keep pace.
Jennifer Kehren said, “Imagine sitting in a school classroom, possibly for the first time ever, and not knowing the basic elements such as the alphabet. Imagine what it would feel like to watch other kids raise their hands to answer the teacher’s questions but you never know the answer. Imagine what you would do if you were called on to read but you didn’t know how.
“This scenario isn’t just some imaginary dream for the majority of the children that come through the doors of West Valley Child Crisis Center. Not only are their lives marred by the effects of the abuse that they have suffered, they have had medical and educational opportunities withheld from them.
“And what a difference this group of volunteers has made. Some might wonder how the boys responded to having tutors. But any question or doubt quickly vanishes when you hear the happy shouts from the children when they find out their tutors are here. Games, toys, and basketballs are tossed aside to rush into the loving hugs from these caring ladies. For the next hour each boy spends time one-on-one working on homework, playing educational games to learn his numbers or letters, or sitting beside the tutor who is patiently listening to him struggle to read through his favorite book.
“Teachers and staff have reported on what a difference the volunteer tutors have made in the lives of the boys here at WVCCC. Their school work has improved as well as their behavior at school. They are no longer frustrated and falling farther behind. Now they can raise their hand to answer the questions.
“It is through the generosity and compassion of volunteers such as these volunteer tutors that lives are changed. West Valley Child Crisis Center gives honor to the ladies of the Church of the Palms tutoring group.”
Best of the West
Arrowhead Community Bank was a Gold Sponsor for WESTMARC’s 14th Annual Best of the West Awards Dinner. Presented by The Arizona Republic and showcasing the West Valley, the event was held October 26 at the new University of Phoenix Stadium, and was attended by almost 900 people. WESTMARC President and CEO Jack Lunsford remarked, “The awards in recognition of the West Valley are what Best of the West is all about, but this year we were also thrilled to feature Governor Janet Napolitano, famed trumpeter Jesse McGuire, and Col. David Orr, Vice Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB and recent returnee from Iraq.”
Nominees were judged in eight categories: Architectural Innovation; Arts, Sports, and Entertainment; Attractions, Destinations and Tourism; Building Business; Celebrating Cultural Awareness; Education; Leadership; and Service to Communities. They were all recognized for outstanding contributions to the image, lifestyle and economic development in western Maricopa County – the portion of Maricopa County west of Interstate 17.
The Chairman’s Award winner was the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (ASTA). The John F. Long Lifetime Achievement Award went to Phoenix International Raceway.
For a complete listing of all the award winners, visit www.westmarc.org.
9th Annual Arizona Celebration of Lights
Arrowhead Community Bank is supporting the 9 th Annual Arizona Celebration of Lights, the state’s largest holiday light festival. The awe-inspiring holiday display featuring 6 million lights begins Friday, November 24 and continues through January 1, 2007 on the Community of Joy campus, 21000 N. 75 th Avenue in Glendale, located on the northwest corner of 75 th Avenue and the Loop 101. The spectacular, uplifting event is suitable for the entire family.
Visitors will enjoy a two-mile drive into a holiday fantasy showcasing more than 300 shapes, scenes, tunnels and outdoor ice rink skating. More than 100,000 visitors are expected, and admission fees will benefit St. Mary’s Westside Food Bank, Angel Tree Foundation, and the Salvation Army.
Realty Executive's Linda Booker Is Christmas Angel
In 1985, Linda Booker began a program that is now known as “Christmas Angels.” Every year in the late summer, she begins gathering clothing and toys for needy children. When the holiday season gets underway, Linda and her volunteers set up Christmas trees in participating locations in the West Valley.
On the trees are pieces of paper with names of children and what each child would like to receive for Christmas. Arrowhead Community Bank is pleased once again to host a Christmas tree for the Christmas Angels program, and invites anybody who is interested to come in to the Bank to select names. Presents for individual children may be left at the Bank to be collected by volunteers for wrapping and delivery. Gift requests are often for basic “survival items” such as socks and underwear, and all ages and sizes are represented.
Linda Booker, now a highly successful Realty Executives agent, was a single mother of two when she started the Christmas Angels program. She knew there were many single parents facing the holidays without a way to provide Christmas gifts for their children. She took matters into her own hands, and decided to do something to help. That first year, Linda and her small group of volunteers delivered 250 gifts. Today, more than 25,000 children throughout the Valley will have a much happier holiday season, thanks to Linda Booker and her band of angels.
ACB Helps Keep Kids Covered
Homeward Bound’s annual Baby Diaper Drive will get a boost from Arrowhead Community Bank. The Bank has volunteered its lobby as a collection site. Heather Innis, Business Development Specialist, says that the goal this year is 100,000 diapers and $75,000 in emergency funds. “Homeward Bound assists homeless and domestic violence families with children throughout Maricopa County. One of the biggest needs faced is diapers and diapering products of all sizes and types. A bag of diapers or box of wipes might not seem like the most traditional of holiday gifts, but many families are thrilled to receive them. And if you can’t make it in with Huggies, the Baby Diaper Drive will be pleased to accept a monetary donation.”
For more information, visit www.babydrive.org or call Heather Innis at 623-776-0800, ext. 104.
New Year's Eve at
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) located just south of the Arrowhead Towne Center and Bell Road in Peoria. Begin your evening with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the lobby at 7:30 p.m., followed by a three-course gourmet dinner and dessert. Live musical entertainment features a Broadway concert with the casts of South Pacific and Kiss Me, Kate. Cap off the night with dancing to a jazz combo from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. in the theatre, while ringing in the New Year with complimentary party favors and a champagne toast. Seating is limited and formal attire is required. For reservations, call the ABT box office at 623-776-8400. Additional information is available at www.azbroadwaytheatre.com.
'Fast Food' Has New Meaning
Howard Helmer, the world's fastest omelet maker, paid a visit to ACB with Sharman Hickman Silva and her daughter, Tia. Hickman's Family Farms (famous for fresh eggs and egg products) and restaurant First Watch recently joined forces for Free Omelet Day to benefit St. Vincent de Paul. Howard set the pace for other celebrity chefs, including Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon. $9,572 in donations were raised, which were matched by First Watch.
On the Road With Thom Gyder and ACB
It is a well-known fact that advertising specialties can carry a company's logo and message well beyond its geographic reach. Thanks to Thom Gyder and a large umbrella with ACB's logo printed boldly on the top, our name really gets around, including recently at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, held every September in Telluride, Colorado. We thank Thom for sharing this photo.
"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and
should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
