American Legion helping the Senior center

Phyllis said her heart was especially touched by the enthusiasm the American Legion Post 86 showed with their own fundraiser that raised $9000 for the Meals on Wheels program. Veterans make up a large part of the client base we serve, and we are truly grateful for the Legion’s support. These are our heroes who served us and now we get to serve them.

The Rim Country Senior/Community Center was created to support the 50+ population: the elderly and homebound in this community, but the bottom line is the Meals on Wheels program is who the Center is. The Meals on Wheels kitchen team: Scott Read, Louise Hughes, Amanda Read and Sandy Martin and the driving team: Ron Baker, Kari & Travis Branam, Phyllis Ault & Sherry Conrad, Michele Dorough, Rosalie Mueller, Janie Miranda & Johanna Stanford, Debbie & Rob Heinemann who serve fifty-two weeks a year, come rain, snow or shine would also like to thank the community. Many of our shut-ins are on hospice and, as Phyllis puts it, she feels like a part of God’s loving transition team and truer words could not be spoken. We offer so much more than just food. We do wellness checks and notify health providers when things deteriorate. We are compassionate partners supporting families and hospice.

But did you know we do so much more? The Center provides all kinds of classes for all ages. Health, driving (save on insurance), art, exercise (aerobic and yoga). Membership is only $20 a year. There are volunteer opportunities for all ages as well. You don’t need to be a member to hold your next business or family meeting at the Center.

Two seemingly unrelated organizations came together to serve our community this Memorial Day Weekend. The American Legion Post 86’s held an Open House fundraiser for the Meal on Wheels (MOW) program. It was the perfect opportunity for a legion non-member to see what they are all about. As I chatted with one of the volunteers, she shared that she loves the fact that the American Legion supports our community, but that our community supports our veterans. She pointed out that when you support the MOW program, there is a very strong probability you will be supporting many veterans.

The American Legion Post 86 voted to match the amount raised at this fundraiser, dollar for dollar, thus they will be presenting the Rim Country Community Center’s Meals on Wheels program with a check for $8662.00. But it wasn’t just the Legion that supported the MOW program this weekend. It was neighbors like Jeffrey and Henry from J &H Designers Hair Studio located on Hwy 260 in Heber. Their baskets were the size of (2) six-year-old children! If you weren't there, you missed some great stuff. Like the chest full of premier quality meats and seafood donated by Bill & Mary Melchesndech, who operate the Legion’s kitchen. Even the bartending staff got into the act, with a cool basket of assorted liquor and goodies. I called it the Booze Basket. Legacy Beverage out of Show Low donated a fine collection of bar mirrors. And Legion board members Mike and Barb Bryant, Jim Chapman, Sue Arnold put together a cool “Just Chillin” basket, topped with a three foot flip-flop. Can you say Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.

About 300 people visited the Legion each day. There was lots of great food, laughter and music in the smoke free environment. The band “Triple Play” cranked up the Rock & Roll both days. Saturday night, as the jello shots kicked in, the band invited folks to come up and sing karaoke.

This weekend, I met a lot of wonderful people and learned there is a lot more to the American Legion than I knew. Here are just a few of the ways they give to our Heber/Overgaard community.

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is the backbone of the post and supports all of the events put on by our post.
Honor/Color guard attends funerals of vets to present full honors including 21 gun salute. They also do “Flag Raising” ceremonies for our community events and holidays.
The ALA collects clothing and personal hygiene products to donate to a Veteran’s home.
The bartender’s along with the ALA raised funds for S.A.F.E house through a fundraiser at the post.
The post hosts the British Wounded Warriors twice a year. The ALA provides meals for them and the American Legion Riders (ALR) takes them on a motorcycle ride showing off our country.
Place Christmas wreaths on all veteran’s graves in the Heber cemetery.
Have a service officer who reaches out to vets and ensures they get the VA benefits they are entitled to.
Have built home wheelchair ramps for disabled people of our community.
Hold memorial services at the post for vets who have passed away.
Host a “Flag Line” for vets that are currently serving who come home. It’s a way of welcoming our active duty personnel home to Heber-Overgaard.
In October, they provide firewood to neighbors who can’t afford it.
Donate $500 to each of our 3 schools, for teacher’s classroom supplies.
The American Legion Riders (ALR) & the Sons of American Legion (SAL’s) hosts multiple Children’s Christmas parties and give out food boxes to needy families during the holidays.
The ALR raises money for the Legacy Scholarship fund, which provides scholarships for children who have lost their parents serving our country.

Speaking for all of my fellow volunteers from the Rim Country Sr/Community Center, this has been an incredible weekend. We thank the American Legion Post 86 Commander John Belch, First Vice-Commander Jim Chapman, and Second Vice- Commander Travis Branam for this wonderful gift you gave the MOW program this weekend.

American Legion Post 86

2023 staff Members

Our Center’s Staff:

Jean Engelby is our new office secretary' Scott Read is our head cook since 2014 and we rely on his expertise and dedication. Shelley Neil, our new assistant cook brings catering experience.

Meals on Wheels Team, Phyllis Ault Coordinator - Volunteers: Phyllis Ault, Travis and Kari Branam, Bob and Kim Buck, Sherry Conrad and Gary Korosec, Jean Engelby, Rob and Debbie Heinemann, Janie Miranda, Yohanna Stanford, Rod and Patti Epley' Jerry and Carol Stant, George and Shauna Taylor.

Addie’s Thrift Store & SHE SHED Team

Carrie Moos Manager - Volunteers: Carrie Moos, Glenda Benguhe, Carol Brake, Joyce Buchta, Penny Burch, Alyce Dodds, Joyce Plate, Corrinne Maran, Carla Polston, Patsy Richardson, Nancy Skaien, Barb Hagan, Linda Eddy, and Cindy Krahl.

Front Desk Team

Barbara Hagan Coordinator - Volunteers: Jean Engelby, Loretta Green, Paula Grigsby, Barbara Hagan, Geline Ostgaard, PLynda Tallant' Nancy Tordai and Patti Eoley.

Can Sorting Volunteers

Bob and Kim Buck, Coordinators - Volunteers: Bob and Kim Buck, Barb Hagan, Monte Devore, Stan and Cindy Sassmann, Sherry Conrad and Gary Korosec, Rod and Patti Epley, Nancy Graham, Jean Engelby and Joe Adair. A HUGE thank you to Doug Harris, Lingford, Beth Remus, Dennis Repan, Stan and Cindy Sassmann, Patricia Vaux.

Rim Country Senior/Community Center board

Phyllis Ault - Board President, MOW Driver, Fundraiser

Connie Franke - Board Treasurer, Gun Show Event Coordinator

Jean Engelby - Board Secretary, recently approved MOW Driver

Carrie Moos - Board Member, Addie’s Thrift Store/SHE SHED-Depart Head

Penny Burch - Board Member, Addie’s Assistant Depart Head

Barbara Hagan - Board Member, RCSC Front Desk Coordinator.

Sherry Conrad - Board Member, MOW Driver, Driver for Can Fundraiser

Paula Salgado - Board Member, Summer Dinner Coordinator

Patti Epley - Board member, event planner, MOW driver Website editor, and Event planner.

All of these RCSC PROJECTS ARE POWERED BY VOLUNTEER POWER. None of these volunteers receive any financial compensation for their time. As you can see, we are a working board and RCSC is in good hands.