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Graettinger: Sun City Posse needs donations to continue work

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The Sun City Posse each year turns to you, the residents, for help with its fundraising drive and again this year we are asking for your assistance as we kick off our 2023 Sun City Posse fundraising campaign.

Yes, the Posse is one of the most respected, valued and appreciated volunteer groups in Sun City, but more importantly we need you to survive. One of the major misconceptions about the Posse is that we receive all kinds of money from outside sources. Not true! We do not receive any federal, state or county government funds or any kind of subsidies or entitlements. The Recreation Center of Sun City does contribute to the Posse as a way of saying thank you for patrolling the streets. But that is it.

Again, this year, our campaign was spearheaded by Master Sergeant Carol Perko and her team who organized the drive.

Although our mailboxes are flooded with requests for money from political action groups, charities and organizations, our request, here at the Posse, is truly personal because we are the people who look after your safety by patrolling the streets and watching out for you. Whatever your needs, our dedicated men and women, in their grey and black uniforms, stand ready to help, whether it is a lost person or pet, an open garage door, a break-in or just a friendly wave.

Although it is easy to write about all the great things the Posse does for our residents, this year we want to let your voices be heard. Here are a few samplings of letters and notes we received from our residents over the years about the various services we offer that include not only being here to help, but everything from watching your home while you are on vacation, to our important Neighborhood Watch program to our Funeral Watch services that offers residents peace of mind while attending a funeral of a loved one.

Last year, a couple who lives on West Spruce Drive sent us a note along with their contribution that read, “We appreciate everything the Posse does for us and for the community of Sun City.”

Another resident who lives on West Oakmont Drive wrote, “The hard work of your organization does not go unnoticed. As residents, we appreciate all that is done by the volunteers.”

Grateful for our Vacation Watch program, another resident sent a note, with her donation, that read, “Thank you so much for checking our home while we were in Colorado. You are offering a great service.” While another resident praised our Neighborhood Watch program along with her donation of $100.

Another resident wrote that she was pleased with our being in her neighborhood. “Thank you for the good job that you do and thank you for having good volunteers that say ‘Hello’ or wave or chat sometimes. They make my day bright,” she wrote.

In an effort to keep residents and property safe, we also have our Funeral Watch program; a resident wrote, “Thank you so very very much for the Funeral Watch at my house. It gave me such peace of mind during my husband’s funeral. I truly appreciate it.”

So please read our letter when you receive it and write a check to help us cover our operating expenses in 2023; and just a side note, we here at the Posse value all donations whether they are $5 or $500.

Knowledge of that was brought home recently by a resident who lives on a fixed income yet still donated $10 because she said she appreciated us and hoped her small donation would help.

“How thoughtful and kind is that?” Posse Commander Marc Fuller said. “But more importantly, it demonstrates that there is no such thing as a small donation because every dollar counts when it comes to keeping the Posse going.”

Now, the rest is up to you. If you like what we do, including everything from Vacation Watch, to Neighborhood Watch, to welfare checks, to Funeral Watch, and the work we do with the Sun City Fire and Medical Department, then make a donation. Once you receive the letter, sit down, write a check and mail it to us or drop your donation off at the Sun City Posse Headquarters, 10861 Sunland Drive.

And by-the-way, a big thank you from all of the volunteers here at the Posse.

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