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Golf tournament supports Sunshine Services, honors former resident

Posted 5/3/22

Sunshine Services of Sun City was recognized and appreciated at the first ever Stanley Liang Memorial Golf Tournament held at Quail Run Golf Course, where nearly $1,500 was raised for the …

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EVENT

Golf tournament supports Sunshine Services, honors former resident

Posted

Sunshine Services of Sun City was recognized and appreciated at the first ever Stanley Liang Memorial Golf Tournament held at Quail Run Golf Course, where nearly $1,500 was raised for the organization.

The day-long event was held under sunny skies where 60 golfers all friends, golf buddies and fans of former Sun City resident Stanley Liang gathered to have some fun and excitement, but also raise money for a group that benefits the residents of Sun City.

Liang and his wife, Linda, moved to Sun City in 2013 from West Lebanon, NH. He and his wife owned their own motel and ambulance service and he was the life support instructor and more at Dartmouth Hitchcock Memorial Hospital for 28 years. He was a familiar site on the golf course with his orange knickers, matching hat, white shirt and socks. A great golfer, he never hit a hole-in-one, but golf, next to his family, was his passion. Liang also was known for his beer and beef Memorial Day festivities where friends, old and new, gathered.

The Liang family have been long-time supporters of Sunshine Services. In 1961, area residents were appointed to the Sunshine Committee to help residents who were unable to pay their $40 Recreation Centers of Sun City dues, the organization’s brochure said. Four members of the former Sun City Civic Association, now the Sun City Homeowners Association, each contributed $40 to establish a fund for the Sunshine Committee. From there, a Sick and Visiting Committee was established led by the Rev. E. Duane Thistlethwaite.

After learning that a Sun City resident had to rent a hospital bed for $35 for one month, the committee purchased three hospital beds as well as other second-hand equipment. In addition, Sun City residents also donated items and the first bed and wheelchair was loaned out in April 1962. The equipment was all stored on the reverend’s lanai, the brochure added.

The Del Webb company stepped in and donated a building site and constructed the first Sunshine building on Coggins Drive; it opened in 1965 with $8,000 worth of equipment. Then in 1971, Del Webb again donated land and constructed a building at 9980 Santa Fe Drive, its current residence. Additions were added over the years and now the organization has 22,000 square feet to house everything from medical beds, to wheelchairs, to bedside commodes, crutches, walkers and rollaway beds. And it’s all free.

And the savings to residents has been astronomical. In 2020, it was estimated that residents saved more than $2 million dollars in the cost of equipment for in-home medical needs.

But it is not all about medical, the agency also provides items for visiting grandchildren including high chairs and stroller. The agencies motto is “We’re here to make your life easier.” But its primary role is medical equipment. “If a doctor recements a wheelchair, bring it to us and you will have one and be out the door in minutes. No charge; no government paperwork; no waiting for approval; out the door in minutes,” the brochure added. The best part? Use the item for as long as it’s needed and then return it to the organization, and there are people on hand to help load and unload the equipment.

Although there is no charge for the equipment, donations are appreciated and that is where the Liang family stepped in. Stanley’s wife Linda and their three children planned the memorial tournament with an eye to donations for Sunshine Services and they accomplished their goal.

Liang is survived by three children and 10 grandchildren, several of whom were at the golf memorial to help make the tournament happen.

Following the tournament, the beer and beef tradition continued with lots of beef rounds sizzling on the grill with beans, corn bread and salads nearby. In addition to the usual tournament challenges, like the longest putt and most accurate drive, there were some memorable moments like stopping on hole #4 shortly after teeing off to raise a toast to Liang whose home adjoins the fairway. On hole #5, players had to use Liang’s specially designed putter to sink the ball in the cup, another fun challenge. At the end of the day, golfers not only were full, but had fun and are looking forward to next year and the second annual Stanley Liang Memorial Golf Tournament.