Volunteers don't let economy woes dampen efforts

Strangers from around the world raise money for burn victims they have never met. Teenagers and their parents rally behind a family in a city that is not their own.

The community has pulled together in notable ways recently. At a time when the unemployment rate has hit a 14-year peak and foreclosures have rocketed to nothing seen before, signs of hope and generosity glimmer from across the East Valley.

“It makes you feel better to live in this world to know people are willing to take care of one another,” said Mesa’s Reachel Bagley. She is coordinator of the fundraising efforts to help Christian and Stephanie Nielson, who were critically injured in a private plane crash in August.

“It’s scary right now with all the change economically and politically ... People just realize we all need each other. To quote a famous poet: 'No man’s an island.’ We really do need to get out there and take care of one another.”

Bagley said several women organized garage sales overnight that raised $5,000 for the Nielson family. Stephanie and Christian are parents to four young children.

“I’ve seen people donate hundreds and hundreds of hours,” Bagley said. The garage sale volunteers, “were up all night putting together what could fill a thrift store. And they did it twice. They’re just good people who want to help.”

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona has more volunteers than projects to keep them busy right now, said Missie D’Aunoy, chief operating officer. The organization currently has projects in the East Valley in Apache Junction and Chandler. The organization is trying to build about 50 homes this fiscal year.

“Habitat is so blessed with volunteers,” D’Aunoy said. “We have always, always, always had a wealth of volunteers. That is true now as much as ever.”

Volunteer Joe Byers of Scottsdale started working on Habitat homes in the Valley nearly eight years ago after he retired from federal law enforcement. He estimates he’s worked on about 20 houses. This month, he on a crew building a 1,500-square-foot home in Chandler.

For Byers, the effort is all worth it “when a home is complete and the day comes when the house is dedicated, the look on the homeowner’s face and the happiness they display through the build.”

Volunteers of all ages and from all backgrounds give up part of their weekends to lend a hand.

“The biggest surprise is how many people come out who don’t have any construction skills, but work real hard and get a lot done,” said Bill Puffer of Mesa.

Puffer and Byers are part of a weekday crew that has been together for several years. During weekdays about a dozen volunteers show up on a single work site; that doubles on Saturdays.

The 105 members of Chandler’s Sun Lakes Rotary Club are retirees. Many have seen their investment accounts drop drastically with the Dow now near the 8,000-level from a high above 13,000 more than a year ago.

But they’re not wallowing. They’re not shying away from opportunities to help others. They are taking the opposite approach. From handing out dictionaries to third-graders in local schools to giving presentations to kids about making smart class choices to helping teen moms, they are a busy crew.

“I have a chance to give back for all I’ve received,” said Dwight Grotewold, who helps coordinate the dictionary project. “I’ve had my rough times in life, but I’ve had a lot of positive experiences. It gives me a chance to give it all back. We all do activities that we see an actual result. We get feedback. We know we did something real good.”

Some of them lived through the Depression. They say that makes a difference in their attitude.

“I think Rotarians are more optimistic than a lot of people ... They don’t dwell so much because they’re doing things,” said De’Anne Rasmussen, one of the Sun Lakes Rotary members.

Also busy doing good work in the community are local chapters of the Harley Owners Group. Worldwide membership numbers more than one million, double what it was in 1999.

While the group’s mission is “To ride and have fun,” it reaches beyond that in its service projects.

The Superstition chapter, based out of the Superstition Harley Davidson dealership in Apache Junction, has 360 members, said George Pederson, the club’s historian.

Before Thanksgiving, dozens of riders purchased turkeys and delivered them to St. Vincent de Paul during its annual Birds on Bikes event . The group’s Riding for a Reason raised more than $3,400 for an East Valley crisis center. During a Christmas in July program, members delivered school supplies to students at an out-of-town Indian community.

Toys are now being collected for East Valley Firefighter Charities .

“We get calls daily from people wanting to know how they can contribute to a cause,” said Jennifer Sturino, events coordinator for the dealership. “Compared to the economy, participation has stayed relatively high.”

Pederson agreed.

“This chapter has a group of people who like to give back to the community and support the community,” he said. Many are veterans. “Bikers have big hearts.”

The recent death of Highland High School sophomore Kelly Tracy has created an outpouring unexpected by the band booster parents who are organizing efforts to help the Tracy family. Kelly died Nov. 15 after an early morning car crash. She was on her way with her brother, Matt, to march in the Gilbert Days Parade. Matt was injured in the crash. Police say the driver behind the vehicle that struck Matt and Kelly was impaired by alcohol.

Maureen Allison said the parents exchange e-mails about all the donations, financial contributions and phone calls that have come.

“I read these e-mails and it just brings goose bumps,” said Allison, whose son, Jay, is a member of the Highland drum line.

After Kelly’s memorial last Friday at City of Grace Church in Mesa, a band booster from a Tempe high school handed more than $500 to the Gilbert group and said, “Please get this to the family,” Allison said.

“It’s just complete strangers helping the family out. It’s overwhelming. You don’t expect it. When you hear they have helped, you just start crying. You can’t believe it.”