We had a phenomenal year of Community Service! Thank you to all members who participated in our Community Service events by giving their time or by bringing donations of items including bottles of water, holiday gifts for children, and non-perishable food. As a group, we gave over 351 hours to the community and helped raise $3,094.00. A summary of our events, along with some pictures, is included below:

FDIC Money Smart Financial Literacy Training and Classes – June 1, 2011

On June 1, 2011, three members of our chapter joined others from ASWA and other organizations for training to teach the FDIC Money Smart program in the community. The class was taught by Cathy Guerriero, the outgoing Community Service Director of our chapter. During the previous year, we began training instructors for the Money Smart Program and providing classes to various organizations in the valley. Our goal is to continue to have trained instructors so we can provide the classes to organizations such as women’s shelters, colleges, high school students, and any other community organization whose members would benefit from learning everyday financial information that the average person needs to succeed in life.

Money Smart Classes – June and July, 2011

During the months of June and July, our chapter helped present the Money Smart series of classes at the Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL). ABIL is an organization which helps disabled individuals learn to live independently. The classes took place over 8 weeks and taught ABIL participants financial skills such as banking basics, borrowing basics, and the importance of good credit.

Bottled Water Drive – July 19, 2011

As we all know, the summers in Arizona are extremely hot, and temperatures above 110 are not uncommon. Water is a necessity, especially for those who are homeless or without shelter during the day. On July 19, our chapter held a bottled water drive. Members were asked to bring several bottles or a case of water to our technical session to be donated to the Salvation Army of Tempe, Arizona. Our members responded by donating 51 cases of water and $81.00 in cash. The Tempe office of the Salvation Army is just one of the offices in the Phoenix area, and they go through up to 100 bottles a day.

IMA Walk to Defeat ALS – October 22,2011

For the third year, several of our chapter members took part in the 5K Walk to Defeat ALS, led by Team Captain and chapter member, Debbie Michalowski. The walk was a major success with six walkers, two virtual walkers, and 11 donors. The team’s goal was to raise $750, and donations reached $900!

Salvation Army Christmas Angels Program – November 2011

In November and December, our organization “adopted” five children with the Salvation Army’s Christmas Angels program and committed to providing five items, including toys and clothing, for each of these children. Our members went above and beyond in the gifts that were brought for these children! Each child received a scooter or age-appropriate ride-on toy along with other fun and educational toys, and each also received a jacket, shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.

The Grand Canyon Student Chapter takes on the FDIC Money Smart Program – November 29, 2011

Diane Hewlett, Community Service Director, facilitated a class for five members of the Grand Canyon University student IMA chapter. The five students were very enthusiastic about the program, and were anxious to use their skills and go out and teach the program in the community.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) training and tax preparation – January 7, 2012

Seven members of the Valley of the Sun chapter spent their Saturday learning about the IRS’ VITA program and becoming trained to prepare basic income tax returns for low to moderate income families in the Phoenix area. Many of the members passed the basic certification that same day and went on to more advanced levels on their own, and several members are continuing to work with the program volunteering their time preparing tax returns throughout the community. At least 85 hours have been donated to date.

FDIC Money Smart Course – January 21, 2012

Our student chapter advisor, Dr. Donna DeMilia, was contacted by the “Be A Leader” organization about presenting the Money Smart financial literacy program to area high school students attending a FAFSA workshop. Karen Timian, our chapter President, and Christine Fritsch, a student member, helped present the module to the students. The training included options for borrowing money for school and options for purchasing a car.

Waste Management Phoenix Open/Special Olympics – February 4, 2012

For the fourth year in a row, our members volunteered to staff a concession stand at the Phoenix Open to help raise funds for Special Olympics.  With a total of 18 volunteers from both the partent and student chapters, we worked as quickly as possible to provide the record breaking crowd with hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks from 7 am to 1:30 pm.  It was hard work but a fun time, and we had the opportunity to watch the golfers when our shift ended!

Heart Walk: Number Crunchers Team – February 25, 2012

Laura Mangan led the ASWA/IMA Number Crunchers Team in the Heart Walk. Laura has been participating in this event and encouraging others to join her for several years. In addition to Laura, Shelby Williams walked with the team, and several IMA members made donations to help support the efforts of the American Heart Association. The team raised $625.00 to help support research for heart disease!

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society Auction and Dinner – March 3, 2012

Our chapter has supplied cashiers for the Arizona Bighorn Sheep Society Fundraising Banquet for over 18 years! Cheryl Brock, Tom Dopler, and Diane Hewlett worked from 3:30 pm to 11:00 pm running credit cards, collecting payments for auction and raffle items, and counting money during the raffle and auction. The Society’s mission is to promote the management and increase the population of bighorn sheep in Arizona.

Food Drive for United Food Bank – March 20, 2012

We collected non-perishable food and cash donations to help the United Food Bank, a food bank in the Phoenix area that distributes the equivalent of 43,000 meals a day to residents of Arizona. Our group donated 50 non-perishable food items and at least $80 in cash donations.

We are an award winning chapter for Community Service!

Congratulations and thanks to our past directors and to all who participated in the events for the past two years:
2010-2011: 1st Place (Cathy Guerriero, Director)
2009-2010: 3rd Place (Cheryl Brock, Director)