Ralph Varela, Director of the Pinal Hispanic Council, and Belinda Akes, Coordinator of the Eloy Veterans Center, receive a grant check for $2,000 in support of the Eloy Veterans Center from SOT-AZ Board members Nils Johnson, Jack Van, Martin Bender, Keith Stepp, and Ross Dufee.
Martin Bender
Lining the main boulevards of Robson Ranch with American Flags on military–related holidays is the most visible activity of Support Our Troops-AZ (SOT-AZ). The organization’s primary mission, however, is to provide support to our active-duty military, veterans, military families, veterans organizations, and military related community programs. In the past four years, SOT-AZ has distributed nearly $200,000 in grants for such causes.
As part of the SOT-AZ grant program, on March 10, SOT-AZ Board members presented a $2,000 check to the Eloy Veterans Center. In addition to acting as a place on Main Street in Eloy, the Eloy Veterans Center provides local military veterans with emergency assistance such as food boxes, food vouchers, transportation assistance, and medical and prescription help when the need arises. The center also aids in connecting veterans with state and federal agencies and helps with the application processes for veterans’ benefits.
Support Our Troops-AZ thanks the Robson Ranch community for its generous support enabling SOT-AZ to accomplish its mission. On Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, SOT-AZ will be hosting its annual golf tournament in the morning and its annual fundraiser auction in the evening. Volunteers are needed to put on these events and other SOT-AZ events throughout the year. SOT-AZ needs you. For more information and to sign up for SOT-AZ’s volunteer opportunities to salute those who serve and those who have served, contact Ross Dunfee at 509–588-4360, Jack Van at 623–910-5709, or Deborah Dougless at 406–941-0996, or complete a volunteer interest form on the web at SOT-AZ.org.