Quail Creek Democrats Welcome Charities in November
By Deb Melton
One thing that Democrats agree on is that we are very fortunate to live in the United States of America.
John F Kennedy said, “For of those to whom much is given much is required.” Most of us who live in Quail Creek and are fortunate enough to also be retired feel very lucky and blessed. In addition, we see it as our civic duty to give back to our community.
At the November Quail Creek Democratic Club meeting, the club has invited two local charities, Youth on Their Own (YOTO) and Casa Alitas, to speak with us about their mission and needs.
Youth on Their Own was founded in 1986 when Ann Young, a counselor at a Tucson high school noticed that talented and motivated students were dropping out of school due to homelessness and being forced to live on their own without a parent or guardian. Inspired by the students’ tenacity and willingness to stay in school, other counselors, teachers, and community members got together and formed YOTO with the goal of helping students graduate. The organization grew and continues to serve students in these dire circumstances. At present YOTO is seeking help stocking their “Mini Mall” where students can come and get much needed necessities and supplies. Democratic Club of Quail Creek will be collecting those supplies at the November 19th meeting. Things like chips, small packages of cookies, nuts, and candy bars, socks, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, pens, and notebooks are all needed. Cash contributions are also accepted.
Casa Alitas began in June of 2014 as hundreds of people from Central America, fleeing gang-violence and poverty, were being dropped off at the Greyhound Bus station in Tucson by US Boarder Patrol with nowhere to go. As of December 2019, Casa Alitas has served over 35,000 asylum-seekers. Today they serve 300-400 people per day!
Most asylum-seekers are families: parents, children, and pregnant women. They have traveled mostly on foot for days, weeks, sometimes months to the US Boarder and then have spent 2-14 days in a detention center before being released. ICE and Border patrol bring families to Casa Alitas which provides housing, food, clothing, toiletries, advocacy, and travel assistance.
Casa Alitas operates primarily with volunteers and relies on donations from individuals and community groups. Most people arrive with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing. The greatest need is for new underwear and socks in all sizes, kids, both boys and girls, men’s and womens. Also needed are women’s sanitary items, leggings, and men’s t-shirts. All these items will be collected at the Democratic Club meeting on November 19.
If you cannot attend the meeting at the Kino Center on November 19th at 3pm to hear the presentations from these two charities, but would like to donate, items can be dropped off at Deb Logan’s home, 2724 E Ponce Ct. Checks are also greatly appreciated. Please make them out directly to either YOTO or Casa Alitas. Both organizations are non-profit 501c(3).
Benefits of Democratic Club of Quail Creek Membership
By Deb Melton
The Democratic Club of Quail Creek is a social and political club. We support the values of the Democratic Party by learning about critical issues, making a positive contribution in our community, and volunteering for Democratic candidates and campaigns. We support the values of the Democratic Party, but we don’t care if you are a Democrat, Independent, or Republican. If you support our democracy, the constitution, and the values of inclusion, equality, honesty, and respectful debate, you are welcome to attend any of our events and become a member.
Our activities center around community, contribution, and political action. At our monthly meetings and Women-in-Blue luncheons there is ample time to meet and talk with like-minded people.
Women-in-Blue luncheons are held the 4th Thursday of each month, except in November and December. Due to the holidays, Women-in-Blue met on December 1st. The next one is January 26. We like to support local restaurants, so it is held at a different restaurant in Green Valley or Tubac each month. This is a great opportunity to socialize! Check the website for details. https://dcqc.page
Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Saturday of every month, except December, at the Kino Center at 3pm. We always have a speaker and time to socialize. Check the “What’s Happening” for details.
October’s speaker was retired Arizona Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Stanley Feldman, who held the crowd’s attention talking about voting and the Constitution. In November it was all about giving. The Club invited two local charities, Youth on Their Own (YOTO) and Casa Alitas, a Tucson based non-profit that helps asylum seekers when they arrive. Representatives from both groups told us about what they do and how we could help. Members generously donated mini-mart items to YOTO and new socks and underwear to Casa Alitas. The Club also presented each group with a check to help their efforts.
Democrats are all about helping out. In addition to supporting non-profits and candidates running for local office, the Club has Adopted-a-Highway and organizes roadside clean-up crews along Continental Road to the left of the main gate.
During the election the club members worked on get-out-the-vote efforts by printing and sending post cards to voters, calling and texting on behalf of candidates, and contributing money to local campaigns. DCQC also sponsored a “Meet the Candidates Forum earlier in the fall.
Many Quail Creekers have commented that one of their favorite things about the Democratic Club is that it’s not just about politics. While political action is certainly a big part of club activities, especially around elections, supporting our community and contributing to the greater good are equally important to us. If you are new to Quail Creek, we invite you to join us for one of our many activities. Happy Holidays! We hope to see you in the new year.
