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Opinion

Service is key for Sun City Posse

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It’s all about Service. We, the Sun City Posse, just kicked off our 2020-21 fundraising drive and we need your support.

This summer, as temperatures scorched our sidewalks and roads and a pandemic forced us to readjust our lives, a small group of Sun City residents went about their duties guaranteeing that our community remained safe.

Throughout the summer, our all-volunteer Sun City Posse patrolled our streets and our presence made a difference to those Sun City residents who experienced life-altering events.

Let’s start with something that happened earlier this year when a patrol member was asked to do a welfare check on a resident.

“Unable to get any response from knocking on doors and windows at the residence, the patrol member was able to get the garage door open,” Rich Nonini, Sun City Posse commander, said. “Once inside they discovered that the resident had fallen and could not get up. The patrol officer called 911 and the individual was taken to the hospital.”

In another incident, one of our patrol people was following up on a Vacation Watch request; something we do routinely all summer long to ensure homes and residences are safe. When our patrol person arrived, he found the house had been broken into. The robbery was reported to both the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the owner. The house was secured and the robbers could not return.

In another instance, two patrol members were following through with their Vacation Watch duties when they heard a woman yelling at them from across the street. It was clear the woman was under duress, so they notified the Sun City Fire and Medical Department, which responded and assisted the woman.

But our help is not limited to Sun City residents; we are also there for our resident pets. Recently, we received a call from a woman who said her dog had been attacked by coyotes. She could not get the dog into her car. Our patrol member responded and helped get the dog into the car and on its way to a veterinarian.

These are just a few of the things we did this summer to be there for you, our neighbors.

So now it is your turn. I am asking for your help with this year’s Sun City Posse fundraising campaign. Please hear our message. We are a nonprofit organization that does not receive any federal or state funds or grants. We survive solely on the generous donations of people like you — and the donations are tax deductible.

Still uncertain if you want to give?

“There are many more stories like these,” our commander said. “Each patrol shift has the potential to help someone in need. I know there are those people who have never called the Posse asking for help, but in the future that next call to the Posse may be from you.”

Remember, your donation will keep us operating for another year. Our annual fund drive provides resources for our programs, the purchase and maintenance of our patrol vehicles and the daily operation of Posse Headquarters, 10861 W. Sunland Drive, and the new branch office, 10415 W. Grand Ave. Our staff last year contributed more than 50,000 hours of their own time to help you.

Also be aware that your donation supports numerous programs, including our Vacation Watch service and our Block Watch program. Just a few programs to keep our streets safe. The Posse also sponsors events, such as the Shred-A-Thon and the Take Back Drugs program.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, so your donation is tax deductible. But more importantly, your donation is secure. All information provided to the Posse through our fundraising program is treated confidentially. No information is sold or distributed to other organizations.

So, come join us. Please donate to one of the finest organizations in Sun City because we are your Posse, your first line of defense.

If you have not received our fundraising letter, you can donate online through our website at suncityposse.org or in person at our headquarters, 10861 W. Sunland Drive.

Remember, in order to make a difference, we have to be different. We, the Posse, are in the forefront of safeguarding the future of Sun City.

Editor’s Note: Ms. Graettinger is Sun City Posse public information officer.