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Fesler-Butts: 4 volunteer groups cleaned Goldfield Road

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Members of the Kiwanis Club of Apache Junction, Paws4Life, Superstition Mountain Republican Club, Non-Commissioned Officers Association and the StarTrek USS Leonidas got together Saturday, April 9, for their biannual joint effort to clean-up Goldfield Road from south at Southern Road and north to Lost Dutchman Boulevard.

These groups have been doing this community service since 2008 for the city of Apache Junction.

Kiwanis Club

Kiwanis, whose motto is “Serving the children of the world, one child, one community at a time,” has been doing their service since 1915. They have helped eliminate iodine deficiency around the world to help prevent thyroid diseases.

In their latest accomplishments they have been combating maternal and neonatal tetanus disease, something that UNICEF has been fighting since the 1940s. This disease is 100% fatal to the newborn and not only is it deadly it is also excruciatingly painful for the two to threedays that the child lives. The program, called “Eliminate” by Kiwanis, provides a series of tetanus shots to all females throughout their child bearing years and with these shots, maternal and neonatal tetanus disease has been eliminated in the countries that have accepted the help. Regional religious objections are the biggest obstacles.

Paws4Life

Paws4Life is a dog-training program that has been going on at the Apache Junction dog track since 2005 with no change in cost for the training. Just $5 for a 75-minute session, three days per week for six weeks is all that it takes to get your pet all of the basic obedience training it will need.

Adding on to this basic obedience training you can continue with your dog’s training, still for only $5 per session, and continue for a total of 18 months you can have your dog trained, tested and nationally certified as a service or therapy animal. All animals can be trained and certified but it is up to the owner’s conviction to follow through.

NCOA

The Non-Commissioned Officers Association has been around for more than 75 years and like most other military service organizations, it is dedicated to the servicing of all military personnel.

There are chapters like the local VFW, American Legions and DAVs and like all military service organizations the NCOA has its annual conference which most recently have been held in San Antonio, Texas, but in the past the conferences have been held in Las Vegas and even in Virginia.

It it at these conferences where the national officers, executive board members are elected. Changes and updates to bylaws are adapted and implemented at these conferences. Though there are local chapters, the national headquarters, based out Texas, has weekly updates sent out by email to all members and yes they do respond to your emails in a very timely manner.

The NCOA is run completely by enlisted personnel only and our membership is made up of active duty, reservists, guardsmen, veterans and retirees of all six branches of the U.S. military. Go online to: NCOAUSA.org for more information.

Star Trek fan chapter

Star Trek, USS Leonidas NCC 71801, is the local Star Trek fan chapter for those who like sci-fi of all types.

You do not have to only be a Trekkie or Trekker as Star Wars, Firefly or just about any sci-fi genre will probably find a home in StarFleet. We do not require uniforms but we have to follow Star Trek International’s rules on behavior and actions. Not to worry here because for the most part these rules are for the commanders of the local chapters and the leadership above us.

Go online to StarTrek.org for more information and for the very low cost of $9 for a couple you cannot miss. Once you join up I will be contacted and then I can welcome you to our ship. We try to have “away” missions such as attending star parties but individual activities are just as welcomed.

Editor’s note: Arthur Fesler-Butts lives in Superstition Foothills and is a local volunteer.