Some 267 volunteers showed up for the 5th Annual Make a Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, and we all say thank you!

It would have been easy for these volunteers to stay home and take care of their own chores on this beautiful fall morning…but the spirit of these residents wouldn’t let them do that.

Bravo to each and every one who cared enough to make a difference in the lives of the 36-plus homeowners in our community by giving four hours of volunteer service that morning.

These people came together and showed what a community that cares about the needs of all of its members is willing to do. They responded to the needs of residents who live among us -- and yet, we may not know that there are many elderly or infirmed residents alone without relatives nearby to help maintain yard work and house repairs or that health and financial issues make it unable for them to buy landscape services, and that isolation is a painful and disabling disorder, often unnoticed by others.

Learning the stories of the people who were served on this day of volunteer service is necessary in order for compassion to grow.

Many, many thanks to those of you who worked tirelessly, raking, digging, sawing, planting, hauling, and cleaning landscaping debris that left yards looking better as well as safer. You provided clean windows and screens, painted fences, trash cans, murals, rotting sheds; you cleaned and scrubbed tile, kitchen counters and appliances, stucco walls, under refrigerators, and washed carpeting and steam cleaned tile floors.

You patched stucco, installed doors, fixed toilets, made a home more handicap accessible, sealed leaks, replaced light fixtures, vacuumed and cleaned air vents and replaced filters and batteries, organized garages, basements and so much more!

You provided enormous energy and sweat equity. The genuine care and concern that you gave to others was exceptional. And those people whom you served will be touched forever – they now feel a sense of belonging in the community where before they felt isolated.

Great thanks to a terrific planning committee: Paul Appeldorn, Boyce Baldwin, Nita Blose, Lisa Kern, Sandy Larson, Tom Lawrence, Jo Nelson, Ken Thornton, and Don Zurek!

Our Tool Queen, Nan Norton and King, Keith Ware, are to be commended for their hard work getting all of the equipment needed for 42 projects.

Professionals gave great support: Carmen D’Amore of 1st Class AZ. Landscaping, Kelly Fifer of AZCO Maintenance & Handyman Services, Tim Romans of Roman Empire, Robert Weidman, a door specialist, Dana Moir of Wall Works Drywall Repair, Randy Becklund of Father & Son, LLC, Darlene and Ray Munson of Professional Maintenance Services, Mark Harness of Fountain Hills Cleaning Services and Mitch Friend of Southwest Window Cleaning.

Much appreciation to Starbucks for their coffee refreshments and Target for the water and food donations! Paul’s Ace Hardware in town was very generous as a sponsor of this service endeavor!

Finally, thanks to the many worksite coordinators – for “rallying” the troops during the work and returning the many tools utilized. Most especially thanks to the residents who reached out and trusted us in our efforts and allowed us the privilege to serve.

Together, we all learned how we can make a difference together and become better neighbors in the process!

Great work!