By RACHEL BROCKWAY, Class 23
Scottsdale Leadership Marketing & Resource Development Manager
As part of their nine-month community leadership program, members of Scottsdale Leadership’s Class XXV have been challenged to Pay It Forward. Class members formed six teams each with the purpose of developing a community service project that provided them hands-on experience giving back to the community.
The public is invited to attend Project Pay It Forward Day on April 15 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library auditorium. A panel of judges will select the winning project and a $2000 donation will be made to their charity.
The six projects are as follows:
11 – 11:35 a.m. P.E.T. Pantry (Pets Eat Too) by team Reigning Cats & Dogs, keeps pets with their owners during times of financial crisis through a collaborative effort between Vista del Camino Food Bank, Animal Guardian Network and Scottsdale Community College. This project embraces public awareness, direct donations and practicality for food banks.
Team members: Ken Brooks, Ruth Ingall, Valarie Miceli, Scott Popp, Kelly Ries, Lisa Johnson Stone and Cynthia Wenstrom
11:35 – 12:05 p.m. Come Take a Stand by team LEADR7, implemented an awareness campaign educating youth in understanding effective bystander strategies to apply when witnessing cyber-bullying. School curriculum was developed to support Scottsdale’s eighth grade students.
Team members: Kerri Callidora, Greg Cohen, Bob DeLeon, Kristina Dyrr, Jeff Klefstad, Dana Sherman and Kristi Staab
1:05 – 1:40 a.m. Seeing Is Believing by Seeing Is Believing team, provided under-represented children with the gift of vision. Striving for all children to have eye-exams and glasses, the team raised funds and created community collaboration between individuals, businesses and schools.
Team members: Stephanie Connelly, Greg Hand, Cynthia Hill, Pele Peacock, John Thomas, Fran Watkins and Jessica Zambo
1:40 – 2:10 p.m. Growing Greatness at Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship, by Enchanted
Garden team, transformed an unused plot into a special spot for children and adults who face physical challenges and obstacles. The project team recruited contributors and constructed a wheelchair accessible, raised bed garden.
Team members: Paul Dwight, Jan Marvin, Peg Mulloy, Yvonne Murphy, Ryan O’Daniel, Kelly Tope, Drew Vallorano and Katherine Yu
2:25 – 3 p.m. Foundation for Sustainable Senior Centers by team Sanctuary, created a nonprofit foundation serving Scottsdale’s seniors and senior centers and bridging the gap between city services and community needs, including health, safety and medical.
Team members: Denise Lewandowski, Kathie May, Michael Ritter, John Schloz, Kristi Small and Travis Yarlagadda
3 – 3:30 p.m. Bridging Generations by the Bridging Generations team, created a platform for sharing, learning and interaction between seniors and elementary school students. The project was designed to enhance the curriculum for children and quality of life for seniors through interviews related to history.
Team members: Korey Boals, Dianne Fitzgerald-Verbonitz, John Froelich, Jim Grosso and
Jessica Moreau
3:55 p.m. Recognition of Winning Project
The Scottsdale Leader 