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Posse raising funds for children

Continued efforts for Aguila

Posted 7/24/21

The Sun City Posse, in conjunction with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office District 3, needs residents’ help for its “Stock a School with Supplies” program.

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Posse raising funds for children

Continued efforts for Aguila

Posted

special to independent newsmedia

The Sun City Posse, in conjunction with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office District 3, needs residents’ help for its “Stock a School with Supplies” program.

The two agencies are conducting the school supply drive for students in Agila, a small community in northwest Maricopa County.

Aguila is nearly 70 miles from Phoenix. It is a small community with about 800 residents. Cantaloupe farming appears to be a main staple. It is about 1.5 square miles in land mass and according to details on the Internet the per capita income is around $30,000. The percentage of people living in poverty is more than 60 percent.

MCSO District 3 has conducted this drive many times, but this is only the second time for the Sun City Posse to be involved and members want to make heir contribution a “blockbuster explosion” of generosity.

Two years ago, the Posse joined MCSO District 3 in its Christmas gift-giving venture for Aguila and before that the Posse conducted a school supply campaign and the Sun City community turned out to be a force of power by donating hundreds of toys, book and supplies for the two fundraisers. 

“We hope to get enough items to supply every student from kindergarten to eighth-grade,” Posse Lt. Tony Ashby said. “These youngsters don’t have computers to use, so we need to do our part to make sure they have the necessary school supplies to make this a great year.”

The Posse is able to conduct the drive this summer because COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

But not last summer.

At that time, Posse members watched a never-ending cycle of grief and frustrations as everyone tried to remain safe through the pandemic, according to Ashby. During that time families struggled with trying to educate their children in a sterile home environment of imposed lockdowns that substituted online learning for classroom presence.

But schools are opening and soon they will be filled with animated and energized students as they walk the halls and greet teachers and schoolmates. Posse members ask residents to get together and donate school supplies that includes paper, pencils, pens, glue, scissors, construction paper, notebooks, crayons and bookbags and other items. All supplies must be new.

“This is our second ever school supply outreach program for the children of Aguila. Last year we did not hold one because of the pandemic,” Posse Commander Dave Miller said. “In many cases for some youngsters this will be the only school supplies they will receive, so let’s make a difference. We are blessed to live in a community where volunteering and being philanthropic is part of who we are. So, I expect we will see some pretty remarkable giving.”

School supplies can be dropped off at Posse headquarters, 10861 Sunland Drive, before the monthly general membership meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug, 3.

Call 623-972-2555. 

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