Meritage promotes volunteerism at Canoa Ranch fair

Meritage Active, a division of Meritage Homes Corporation, hosted its first Annual Volunteer Fair at Canoa Ranch’s model center park on Saturday.

Among the six organizations taking part were the Community Food Bank of Green Valley, Community Performing Arts Center Foundation, Country Fair White Elephant, Green Valley Assistance Services, Green Valley Recreation and Paws Patrol.

Meritage spokesperson Ashley Engler said the purpose of the fair was to raise awareness about the needs of local non-profit organizations and encourage local residents to get involved.

Representing the Food Bank were Jay Clore and Les Brisbois who had pens and magnets as giveaways to remind people to keep the Food Bank on their shopping list. There were also donation envelopes and an information brochure. Clore said the demand for the Food Bank’s services was great and volunteers are needed year ‘round.

President of Paws Patrol Patti Hogan said the organization has specific needs. “We need volunteers who will foster kittens and help with fundraising events.”

Manning the Country Fair White Elephant table were Angie Anderson and Barbara McDonald who praised the continued loyalty of volunteers. They agreed that their current need is for “truckers with muscle” as some of the current truckers can’t do as much as they used to do.

Marilyn Roberts of Green Valley Assistance Services said the organization needs volunteers to assist with grocery shopping for those who are homebound.

“We need people on a year-round basis who can help the homebound once or twice a week with grocery shopping, doing errands and sometimes taking the person to the doctor.” Roberts said over the years some of the volunteers have become good friends with the person they’re assisting.

Green Valley Recreation, which now operates 12 centers, is looking for volunteers to help staff their 13th center at Canoa Ranch. Volunteer Supervisor Kathleen Zollinger said, “Our goal is recruit volunteers for the center currently under construction… when completed it will have an indoor pool and a fitness center facing the Santa Ritas.”

Ruth Snow, a member of the Board of the Community Performing Arts Center Foundation said the organization has an ongoing need for ushers, box office cashiers, set builders, stage hands and lighting personnel at performance venues. And there’s always a need to help with administrative tasks—mailings, phoning and data entry.

Sales manager of Meritage’s Canoa Ranch Jeff White said the Volunteer Fair is part of a new speaker series. The next event, scheduled for April 19, will focus on Going Green and specifically on “xeroscaping”—landscaping with low-water usage. The event is free and open to the public.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.