Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

East Valley nonprofit youth program, ICAN, will hold its annual Pack-a-Backpack drive July 1-19 to provide school supplies to community youth. Annually the program collects backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged youth who might not be able to obtain all the necessities for academic success. ICAN is partnering with the Chandler Compadres to provide each youth with a backpack.

After the kids get out of school later this month, ICAN’s summer programs will kick off — and so will the Chandler agency’s need for volunteers. According to an ad on volunteermatch.org, ICAN is currently seeking summer intercession volunteers to help with programs, lunch, field trips and pool days from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, June 4 through July 20.

Slip on your walking shoes for the first Chandler Compadres Holiday Fun Walk. The event will benefit three local nonprofits serving East Valley families: Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, Chandler Christian Community Center and ICAN.

The Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative has awarded ICAN, a nonprofit based in the East Valley, the Neighborhood Builder award of $200,000. The award is given annually to two Phoenix nonprofits.

The Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative has awarded ICAN, a nonprofit based in the East Valley, the Neighborhood Builder award of $200,000. The award is given annually to two Phoenix nonprofits.

The Downtown Chandler Community Foundation awarded ICAN (Improving Chandler Area Neighborhoods) a $2,000 grant to maintain and develop research-based drug and gang prevention programs.

East Valley nonprofit ICAN, which serves at-risk youth in Chandler, is being recognized by the national Council on Accreditation (COA). ICAN first applied for accreditation in 2009, ensuring youth programs exceeded the standards set for program quality. Staff received trainings required on an annual basis. ICAN has continued to maintain COA accreditation since. For more than 20 years, ICAN has provided nationally accredited programming to youth to provide them with skills and support needed to make positive decisions when it comes to substance abuse, gang activity, and juvenile delinquency. Today, more than 150 youth take part daily. ICAN does not cost anything for participants or their families. For more information about ICAN, call (480) 821-4207 or visit www.icanaz.org.

Phoenix Sun Charities has named Improving Chandler Area Neighborhoods (ICAN), an East Valley youth program, recipient of the annual Playmaker Award grant of $100,000. The award is the largest amount given annually and is funded by Phoenix Suns Charities' 39 Playmaker donors.

Phoenix Sun Charities has named Improving Chandler Area Neighborhoods (ICAN), an East Valley youth program, recipient of the annual Playmaker Award grant of $100,000. The award is the largest amount given annually and is funded by Phoenix Suns Charities' 39 Playmaker donors.

The Chandler Kiwanis Club is holding its 18th annual golf benefit Oct. 1 at Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes. The entry fee is $85 per golfer; it becomes $100 for those who register after Sept. 15. Proceeds will fund programs at Improving Chandler Area Neighborhoods, also known as ICAN. Also, proceeds help the Chandler CARE Center, which provides medical, dental, counseling and social services to children in the Chandler Unified School District.

Phoenix Sun Charities has named Chandler's ICAN, a nonprofit that serves youth, recipient of the annual Playmaker Award grant of $100,000. The award is the largest amount given annually and is funded by Phoenix Suns Charities' 39 Playmaker donors.

With more than $1.36 million in grants to 178 different charitable organizations throughout Arizona this year, Phoenix Suns Charities marks a milestone of more than $11.6 million in donations since its 1988 inception.

With more than $1.36 million in grants to 178 different charitable organizations throughout Arizona this year, Phoenix Suns Charities marks a milestone of more than $11.6 million in donations since its 1988 inception.

With more than $1.36 million in grants to 178 different charitable organizations throughout Arizona this year, Phoenix Suns Charities marks a milestone of more than $11.6 million in donations since its 1988 inception.

Dave Trout Charities has committed $100,000 toward the construction of a new facility for ICAN, an after school program located in the East Valley. The money is to be raised through the annual Dave Trout Golf Tournament which is held annually and is hosted in memory of one of the co-founders of Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers, Dave Trout.

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will be a guest at the 7:30 a.m. Saturday groundbreaking for the new ICAN building at Folley Memorial Park, 601 E. Chandler Blvd.

Winners of Eight’s fourth annual Be More Awards were announced last week at the Eight, Arizona PBS studios in downtown Phoenix. The event honors the outstanding achievements of Arizona’s nonprofit organizations. Nearly 200 people were in attendance.

Winners of Eight’s fourth annual Be More Awards were announced last week at the Eight, Arizona PBS studios in downtown Phoenix. The event honors the outstanding achievements of Arizona’s nonprofit organizations. Nearly 200 people were in attendance.

Winners of Eight’s fourth annual Be More Awards were announced last week at the Eight, Arizona PBS studios in downtown Phoenix. The event honors the outstanding achievements of Arizona’s nonprofit organizations. Nearly 200 people were in attendance.

The Chandler Police Department will conduct “proactive enforcement operations” targeting parties and minors consuming alcohol or smoking marijuana during and after graduation week, which is next week in the Chandler Unified School District. Officers will be assigned to conduct zero-tolerance enforcement patrols targeting these crimes. Funding by an ICAN grant for the prevention of juvenile substance abuse will fund the additional staffing for the patrols.

An East Valley business, Kovach Metal Roofing, is giving teens of ICAN, a youth center operating in the East Valley, five acres of land to harvest watermelons over the next few months. ICAN teens will sell the watermelons beginning in June to support ICAN and other partnering nonprofit organizations.

An East Valley business, Kovach Metal Roofing, is giving teens of ICAN, a youth center operating in the East Valley, five acres of land to harvest watermelons over the next few months. ICAN teens will sell the watermelons beginning in June to support ICAN and other partnering nonprofit organizations.