James Skiotes named April Queen Creek Hometown Hero for tireless community service
A salute to local volunteer service from Independent Newsmedia
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A Life of Service Illustrated
*The Kachina Medal for leadership awarded by recommendations from the Southwest Kiwanis District.
*The Kiwanis International awarded Jim the “Walter Zeller Fellowship Award” as a result of his personal donation efforts for bringing revenues to help combat Maternal Neonatal Tetanus in third-world countries.
*The “Volunteer of the Year Award” in 2016 from the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce.
*The “Distinguished Member” by Kiwanis International for his hard work with helping Kiwanis achieve its mission “to serve the children of the world.”
In service to the armed forces and later unwavering support of Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek and beyond --- James M. Skiotes is in a class all his own.
Working tirelessly to improve the lives of those who called home a part of the Kiwanis community spanning from Joliet, Illinois to the Town of Queen Creek Mr. Skiotes has had a transformational effect on the communities he serves.
“During his 10-plus years with the Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek, Jim expanded the club’s clothing donation box locations from 12 to nearly 50,” said Queen Creek resident George Mulloy.
“The clothing donation boxes are located predominantly at schools within the Queen Creek Unified School District, including J.O. Combs Unified School District; Florence Unified School District; Coolidge Unified School District; Higley Unified School District; Gilbert Unified School District; and Chandler School District. Jim also created a partnership with the American Leadership Academy School District to place clothing donation boxes at those affiliated school district locations throughout Queen Creek and San Tan Valley.”
The Queen Creek Independent is pleased to announce Mr. Skiotes as the April 2021 Hometown Hero bestowed in the Veteran category. Mr. Skiotes was nominated for this award by Mr. Mulloy.
Mr. Mulloy outlines a life of service.
“Jim joined Kiwanis in Joliet, Illinois, in 1970 and served in many capacities including being the first vice president, board member, and various chairmans, including Kiwanis Club of Joliet’s Annual Variety Show, which produced major revenues to achieve altruistic endeavors for the Joliet Club’s many charities,” he explained.
“Upon moving to the Queen Creek area in 2010, Jim joined the Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek.”
His 50-year history of giving back to the places he called home translated into a wide-reaching charitable impact, Mr. Mulloy points out.
“In 2015, Jim went on to be elected the lieutenant governor for Kiwanis’s Division 18, the southeast region of Maricopa county,” he said. “In that capacity, Jim was responsible for coordinating the educational and leadership efforts of seven Kiwanis Clubs within his division.”
Mr. Mulloy explains Mr. Skiotes served with distinction during his two terms as Kiwanis lieutenant governor, which continues to this day. Mr. Skiotes earned the “Distinguished Lieutenant Governor” award for his efforts to widen educational opportunities for those who need them.
“In October of 2020 Jim assumed the elected position of lieutenant governor, once again, for Division 18. As the Lieutenant Governor Jim resumes the responsibility for the educational and leadership efforts for the same seven Kiwanis Clubs in his division that he served in 2015-16,” he pointed out.
“Jim is also credited with establishing Kiwanis Key Clubs at several high schools including Queen Creek High School; ASU Preparatory Academy in Mesa; Higley High School; Basha High School, and he established a Kiwanis Builder’s Club at Payne Junior High School in Queen Creek. These service leadership clubs help students develop leadership and help them become volunteers to help with their school and community needs.”
---George Mulloy
Mr. Mulloy offers a breakdown of how the tireless efforts and larger vision helped Mr. Skiotes build a network of aid throughout Queen Creek and beyond.
“As a result of Jim’s individual effort with the clothing donation box revenue program, revenues to the Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek increased from less than $10,000 a year to more than $30,000 per year,” he said of the significant change in fundraising proceeds.
“As a result of the increase in revenues, the Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek was able to increase the number of high school college scholarships awarded from $5,000 to $18,000 awarded to students in 2020! Additionally, the income generated through the clothing donations allowed Jim to create the dictionary program for third grade classrooms. The funds from the clothing donations have provided several third grade classrooms and teachers with free dictionaries to 29 local elementary schools.”
Moving forward Mr. Stiokes, according to Mr. Mulloy, has transferred his Kiwanis membership to a downtown Mesa branch with efforts to expand educational programs in that area.
The Queen Creek Independent, along with East Valley Institute of Technology, Sterling Services, and the Queen Creek Olive Mill salute Mr. Skiotes as this month’s Queen Creek Hometown Heroes Awards recipient.
Nominations sought
Submissions will continuously be sought from the Queen Creek community in multiple categories. All nominations to aznews@newszap.com will be reviewed, and monthly winners will be selected based on their community contributions.
Nominations should include name, email address, and phone number along with the category of nomination, some details about the person being nominated, and what accomplishments they have done.
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