Talk of the Town: Green Valley Assistance Services: Paying it forward

It was a smashing success of a fundraiser Saturday night as hundreds of Green Valley Assistance Services supporters and staff gathered to highlight Michael Dorn, founder of Dorn Homes and a loyal supporter of GVAS, for the agency’s 8th Annual Gala at the Madera Clubhouse at Quail Creek Resort Community.

The Gala raised an estimated $70,000 enabling GVAS to continue its mission: To “passionately seek, secure, and provide essential social services through efficient use of both GVAS and community resources, for at-risk seniors, families and individuals, enabling clients to achieve basic human dignity and pride within a solid and thriving community.”

Dorn and his wife Linda were on hand accompanied by many members of their family, including Michael’s longtime secretary (now retired) Wilma Lacruse, who sat at the table of honor.

Michael has been in the construction business for most of his career, building apartments, retail centers, auto malls, and personal residences.

The Dorns have been married for 20 years, first coming to Green Valley in 1990. After seeing the views, the couple was a hooked on Green Valley and the surrounding area—the ideal area for home construction. The rest is history—18 years and thousands of homes later.

The Dorns have five children and 10 grandchildren.

Their son, David Grounds and his wife Ellen are the owners of Dorn Homes which they acquired in 2001. Daughter Christi Bartoletti is owner of Vista Eye Care in Green Valley and her husband Michael is the general service manager of Green Valley Heating and Cooling. Daughter Julie Grounds is the owner of the recently opened Central Pet in Amado.

The Dorns and their children feel that giving back to their communities is vitally important.

In 1998, Michael and David, through Dorn homes, donated land for the current site of GVAS, the Green Valley Community Food Bank, and the Green Valley Fire District Station # 153. Both Michael and Linda have been strong financial supporters of GVAS, as well as David and Christi. Mike and Julie have all been very involved in GVAS as participants and board members.

The Dorns also have a home in Pebble Beach, Calif., where they recently established a scholarship program, called Pay It Forward Scholarship Foundation, for eight college students. The Dorns feel very fortunate that they are able to give back to individuals and agencies by “paying it forward.”

Platinum sponsor for the Gala was The Park Foundation/Twin Buttes Properties, followed by gold sponsors American Nevada Company (Mission Peaks 4000, LLC), silver sponsor plus: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, and silver sponsors: Animal Care Center of Green Valley, P.C.; Dorn Homes, Green Valley Cooling and Heating, Green Valley News & Sun and Retreat at Santa Rita Springs, There were also copper and bronze sponsors, as well friends of GVAS who contributed to sponsorships.

The fun began with a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, a foundation of margaritas and music by the Titan Valley Warheads.

Gala chair and GVAS Board President Glenn Lundell welcomed the crowd and shared the GVAS highlights and mission. He praised the work done by GVAS staff and volunteers, especially helping many homebound seniors in the community who had limited or no transportation. With GVAS help, the Department of Economic Security changed a policy that would require homebound seniors applying for food stamps to drive to Tucson for fingerprint imaging for identify purposes.

“Those who were homebound were unable to get to travel,” Lundell said. “GVAS helped them eliminate this requirement.”

GVAS is proud of this past year. More than 10,000 miles and 2,400 hours have been provided by volunteers to help isolated seniors get to their doctor appointments, banking and grocery shopping. The case management program helped more than 340 individuals by providing information, resources, and advocacy for seniors to continue to live independently at home.

GVAS also provided a new program called benefits check-up, providing 110 screenings to seniors amounting in more than $300,000 in benefits. GVAS also provided emergency and temporary monetary assistance.

Emcee for the live auction was David Grounds, who with his charming sense of fun got the ball rolling raising even more money for GVAS, auctioning off art work, golf packages, jewelry, gift certificates, and even an electric guitar signed by the group, Chicago!

GVAS officers include: Glenn Lundell, president; John Sullivan, vice president; Amber Mathewson, secretary; and Ann Gillingham, treasurer. The hard-working members at large include: Michael Bartoletti, Carol Molski, James Molski, Christine Bartoletti and Linda Pigman, CPA financial consultant.

GVAS staff, many who were busy working the gala, included: Christine Kang, executive director; Jay Bendtsen, eligibility coordinator; Claire Coon, eligibility assistant; Linda Delgado, senior community service employment program; Donna Rakow-Hockersmith, benefits check-up; Barbara Hunt, program coordinator; Elizabeth Martinez, case manager; Marilyn Roberts, volunteer coordinator and Laura Romero, office manager.

Nearly everyone participated in the gala behind the scenes. Well done too, to Nancy Spencer, Gala registration committee and Kim McGuire, who handled publicity.

GVAS will now be able to keep up the great work!

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740