Looking ahead into 2020, the Sun City PRIDES are planning their 40th anniversary celebration and an Arbor Day observance.

The anniversary celebration will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 in the auditorium at the Mountain View Recreation Center, 9749 N. 107th Ave. Coordinated by Rosie Swann, the PRIDES’ secretary, this special event is being combined with the annual volunteer appreciation lunch. There will be special activities, award presentations and special guests. Capitol Catering will provide a complete buffet lunch that is open to all Sun City PRIDES’ members. Guests are welcome for $22.

Local businesses that are interested in being a part of the anniversary celebration, donating monies or volunteering for a one-time project are encouraged to call 623-972-6558 or email suncityprides@gmail.com.

Each year the PRIDES honor former members who died and special requests from Sun City residents wanting to remember a family member. This year’s Arbor Day celebration of life, coordinated by Ronn Enzweiler, PRIDES’ vice president, will be 9 a.m. Thursday, March 26 at West Peoria Avenue and North 108th Avenue.

Molly Soblewski, Sun City PRIDES president, feeling excited about 2020.

“A new decade is an affirmation of the PRIDES’ commitment to continue working hard to keep Sun City beautiful,” said Ms. Soblewski.

In addition to the regular Saturday morning work groups, the next monthly meeting of the Sun City PRIDES is 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 in the social halls at the Bell Recreation Center, 16820 N. 99th Ave.

PRIDES is an acronym for Proud Residents Independently Donating Essential Services. The PRIDES focus on cleaning up the major boulevards and avenues in the three phases of Sun City. They do not work on private, commercial or residential properties. 

Call 623-972-6558 or visit www.suncityprides.com for information, to donate or to join the Sun City PRIDES. 

Editor’s Note: Mr. Huseonica is a Sun City PRIDES member and helps provide publicity for the group.