ALways Community Newsletter March 2019

REGIONAL SPELLING BEES – TEMPE, CHANDLER & GILBERT

TOP SCHOOL SPELLERS WILL REPRESENT THEIR DISTRICTS IN REGIONAL SPELLING BEES High hopes and some impressive brain power were on display at three elementary school district spelling bees in January. More than 70 children competed in Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert spelling bees, vying for the chance to represent their districts in upcoming regionals as well as the state event. A few children had to stand on tip-toe to reach the microphone before a moderator stepped in to lower the mike. Some asked for a word’s definition, as the words got progressively harder. The auditoriums were filled with parents and teachers who silently urged them on. Each of the finalists received a trophy, ribbon and book store gift card from Assistance League of East Valley, which partnered with Arizona Education Foundation to sponsor bees in Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert. Isabel Matos, seventh grader at Wood Elementary School, won the Tempe District championship with the word, “consonants.” In Chandler, Joshua Anderson, sixth grader at Basha Accelerated Middle School, correctly spelled “torotoro,” which is a kingfisher with an orange beak, to win the Chandler District contest. Sifarth Rahaman, fourth grader at Harris Elementary, successfully spelled “beleaguered” and “cilantro” to become the Gilbert District champion. Regional spelling bees are open to the public. The Region 1 bee for Tempe, Kyrene and Mesa will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 24 at Franklin at Brimhall School, 4949 E. Southern, Mesa. The Region 6 bee for Chandler, Gilbert and Higley will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 22 at Williams Field High School, 2076 S. Higley, Gilbert. All the finalists from each district, not just the champion, will represent their districts in a regional bee. Winners from these events will compete in the 2019 Arizona Spelling Bee on March 23 at Arizona PBS, 500 N. Central, Phoenix. Finalists in Tempe were Lilly Lee-Tsosie, fifth grader at Carminati; Kerrington Milham-Shankster, fifth grader at Rover; Joshua Whipple, Connolly seventh grader, and Darrian Leland, Tempe Academy eighth grader. Chandler finalists who will go on to the regionals are Adam Teets from Knox Elementary; Nikasha Kapadia, Bogle Jr. High; Nealin Banerjee, Arizona College Prep-Erie; Mia Smith, Chandler Traditional Academy-Freedom; Emma Xi, Chandler Traditional Academy-Goodman; Kassia Crouse, Willis Jr. High; Bryce Pasero, Auxier Elementary; Zakk Bolton, Chandler Traditional Academy-Humphrey; and Sofia Westblom, Arizona College Prep-Oakland. Gilbert finalists are Arturo Pacheco, Gilbert Classical Academy; Audrey King, South Valley Jr. High; Ayan Islam, Neely Traditional Academy; Leonardo Hotta; Kincade Phelps, Augusta Ranch; Pravindi Gurusinghe, Mesquite Jr. High; and Kayden Romero, Desert Ridge Jr. High. Assistance League of East Valley is an all-volunteer organization which provides nearly 10,000 elementary students and homeless teens with new school clothing, uniforms, shoes and hygiene items each year. Major source of funding is their thrift shop at 2326 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler. by Sarah Auffret Anna Ayala & Isabel Matos Tempe beeSifarth Rahaman Gilbert BeeSarah Sacco-Bee coordinator, Frank Narducci-assistant superintendent, Joshua Anderson Chandler beeOur very own Honey Bees!

Radio Interview with Mini Salas at KMLE

Radio Interview with Mini Salas at KMLE Kathy Stevens and Paula Brimhall Assistance League of East…

Operation School Bell Shopping Spree

Shopping Spree at Target!

Operation School Bell Dressing at Target

Operation School Bell Target Dressing It was a great evening! Assistance League of East members held their first Target dressing for the 2017-18 school year.  Approximately 90 children from East Valley elementary schools came out to shop for new clothing.  So many smiles and thank yous.  The kids had a great time choosing their own clothing, with the assistance of their parents and our members. As the children check out, they are provided with a hygiene kit containing shampoo, comb, brush, tooth brush and deodorant. One of the boys exclaimed - WOW, my own deodorant!  A girl checking the kit closely said - I can really use this! - referring to the shampoo. The children and parents were so appreciative. Many hugs and tears.  We have several more dressings scheduled through February 2018. On behalf of the children, we give thanks to this year's early donors: Cox Charities, Tempe Sports Authority, and Tempe Diablos.

Katie Seavers on Midday Arizona

  Katie Seavers on Midday Arizona  

National Volunteer Recognition Week (April 23 – 29)

To celebrate national Volunteer Recognition Week (April 23 - 29), our chapter hosted a breakfast for our community volunteers on Saturday, April 29.  Each of the ten volunteers introduced themselves and told what they liked doing for our Thrift Shop. This included tasks such as picking up and delivering donations of furniture, steaming wrinkled clothing, dusting glass-topped shelves, assisting customers and returning clothing to appropriate location from the dressing rooms.   Barbara Friend, chapter President, and Jean Kroll, Vice President Resource Development, welcomed the volunteers, members and guests after a delicious breakfast provided by several members.  Anna Ayala showed two brief videos before the volunteers were given gift bags with small items containing clever phrases to thank them for their efforts.  For example, a stick of gum with "thanks for sticking with us" and a light bulb with "you helped lighten the load"!    Volunteers attending: LaRae Aker, Francine Bard, Margaret Bright, Mary Carolan, John Earle, Juanita Goodloe (member from Flagstaff chapter), Ari Horvath, Catherine and Diana Rhoades, Tom Sanders.    Thanks to Volunteer Committee members Barbara Dubler, Brenda Peterman, Katie Seavers and Lucia Causey for their continuing involvement.

Michael Pollack accepts Operation School Bell Award

Assistance League of East Valley proudly presented the Operation School Bell® award to Michael A. Pollack on October 21, 2016 at the Grand Opening of our new Thrift Shop. …