The holiday season is one filled with lots of opportunities to give back and help the less fortunate. Residents of Sahuarita take advantage of those opportunities in a big way each year, giving of their time and resources to help those in need in a variety of ways.
In Rancho Sahuarita, residents have the opportunity all season long to help Toys for Tots, a deserving organization that collects and distributes toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. This year, nearly 200 new toys were collected at the community’s Brunch with Santa event, on Sunday, December 15th. Residents of the community were able to bring their donations of new, unwrapped toys for the organization, and were treated to a special brunch with Santa and fun activities. In addition, a box for items is made available at Club Rancho Sahuarita each year in the weeks leading up to Christmas, which is also filled with generous donations of gifts.
Residents in Rancho Resort also give kindly to those in need each year, through the efforts of various drives and resident clubs. This year alone, at the community’s December Drive for the Sahuarita Food Bank, $2015 in monetary donations was collected, and 1524 pounds of food was gathered to help fill the shelves and feed the hungry. Furthermore, a full truck of toys was delivered to children at a local school.
Two resident clubs, the Sassy Sewers and Craft Club, also gave of their time and resources. In 2019, the Sassy Sewers made and donated a reported 102 quilts, 20 crocheted lap blankets, 77 cuddle pillows and 9 crocheted hats to various organizations. The Ronald McDonald House in Tucson was the primary recipient of these items, along with some smaller donations to the VA in Tucson and the Genesis House in Green Valley. The Club of residents held a recent quilt raffle in addition, which was able to raise $300 for the Ronald McDonald House. The community’s resident Craft Club also made a huge impact for the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, with their “Pack the Purses” charity project which collects money to allow for the assembly of 65 purses filled with necessary items for those in need.
Other collections and drives throughout Sahuarita, including a large drive to support the Sahuarita Food Bank at the annual Winter Festival event, also allowed area residents to give back. The Sahuarita Food Bank always has a donation bin where they welcome donations of non-perishable food near its entrance. Residents of the area can also visit their website to find out how to get involved and opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. Churches throughout the area additionally hosted their own collections, for food items, toiletries and clothing.