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Carefree Truth
Issue #1054, September 16, 2022
Issue #1054, September 16, 2022
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio reported that Chris Dixon, the new coach for the Cactus Shadows High School football team, had been introduced at the July Council meeting. Not long after that meeting, Councilman Stephen Hatcher approached Coach Dixon and Principal Sarah Barela about fundraising for the athletic department, which has some needs. In the words of Mr. D'Aliesio's wife (who is Jewish), Mr. Hatcher gave the athletic department "a big Mitzvah" (meaning charitable gift) in the form of opening a Go Fund Me page campaign which netted $15,000 to purchase new helmets for the team. Mr. D'Aliesio thanked Mr. Hatcher for "protecting their kids' heads".
Mr. Hatcher said it was the first Go Fund Me page he'd ever done. He was glad they were able to do it. The whole community pulled together and contributed. He thanked the Council and everyone else who contributed. The new helmets protect the kids' heads much better than the old ones, providing a significantly greater level of safety. He was surprised how quickly the community kicked in and allowed them to achieve that goal.
Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD) Superintendent, Dr. Cort Monroe, called Mr. Hatcher to tell him that the order must be placed now to have the helmets in time for next season, so the school would fill in the $5,000 shortfall needed to procure the helmets. Mr. Hatcher was really glad they were able to get it done, and was sure that Coach Dixon would do a great job for the school.
Mr. D'Aliesio welcomed Coach Dixon to the podium and asked him to give an update on the program. The Coach thanked everyone, saying what they did was unbelievable. A lot of the kids were excited to hear about it. The sports at Cactus Shadows are self funded. Some of the kids are wearing 6-9 year old helmets that aren't necessarily certified. "This will put everybody on the same playing field." The new technology will help prevent concussions.
Mr. Hatcher jokingly said that he hoped that would drive them to excel and do the very best on the field for the team. Coach Dixon said they have Friday night games "at home" and he hoped many from the community would show up to cheer on the team. He again thanked everyone who donated.
Mr. Hatcher announced that the school is developing a new "parent membership" program for parents who want to be more involved in the school and the football team, with different levels of membership. This is being done to elevate the overall membership drive and to help raise funds for the school on an annual basis.
Mr. D'Aliesio added that the parents have also organized a new 501(c)3 named the Falcon Athletic Club, which is tax deductible. There is also an educational tax credit available that can be allocated to athletics as well, up to $400 a year, so please give to our schools. Coach Dixon added that these athletes are working hard in all the sports teams so they can compete with the other schools in the area.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked what time the games start. Coach Dixon replied that they start at 6:00 PM but that it is best to get there around 5:30 PM to see the new "pre-game" events, such as football cheer leading and band music, that they'd been working on for the past month. Mr. D'Aliesio noted that they won the state championship for cheer leading. The Coach added that they were back to back state champs.
Mr. Hatcher thanked Superintendent Monroe for putting all of this together and for his support of the school as described. The audience applauded. Before the meeting began, a giant check for $15,000 was presented to Coach Dixon and members of the CCUSD. The photo also includes several of the Council members who were there early.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Mayor Les Peterson noted that the teachers and staff at CCUSD were doing a wonderful job with the students. The Mayor also announced that he and Vice Mayor/Mayor Elect John Crane would be going to The Heritage to help celebrate Marie Smith's 102nd birthday with a proclamation of Carefree Day for Marie Smith.
https://vimeo.com/748201605
"The only certain means of success is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be." - Og Mandino 1923-1996
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
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Mayor Les Peterson noted that the teachers and staff at CCUSD were doing a wonderful job with the students. The Mayor also announced that he and Vice Mayor/Mayor Elect John Crane would be going to The Heritage to help celebrate Marie Smith's 102nd birthday with a proclamation of Carefree Day for Marie Smith.
https://vimeo.com/748201605
"The only certain means of success is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be." - Og Mandino 1923-1996
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.