The Verde Valley Senior
Center, at Sixth and Cherry streets in Cottonwood, is a life-line for hundreds
of frail, elderly residents in our local community, many of whom are veterans.
The center served approximately 60,000 hot, nutritious lunches to our local
senior citizens in 2007. This is an increase of more than 10,000 meals over the
prior three years. Hundreds of seniors residing in the Verde Valley received
meals and other social services through the Verde Valley Senior Center. Each
year, more and more seniors rely on these services. The Meals on Wheels program
for home bound seniors and the community dining at the Center ensure that at
least one good, hot nutritious meal is provided daily and also gives clients an
opportunity to socialize and interact with other people. Loneliness,
helplessness and boredom are leading problems among the elderly. When delivering
to a home-bound elderly individual, well trained volunteers are also able to
recognize and report unacceptable living conditions, safety or health issues, or
the possibility of abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult. Approximately 73
percent of the Senior Center's clients receive home-delivered meals, and at
least 70 percent of those are unable to pay for their meal. While the
Senior Center receives some state and federal funding, it does not begin to keep
pace with the demand or come close to covering the costs incurred. The Verde
Valley Senior Center invites donors to partner with them and sponsor a senior. A
contribution of $1500 would provide meals for one senior for one year. A $750
donation would cover a senior's meals for six months, and $375 would help
provide nutritious meals for a senior for three months. Donors should check with
their accountants about taking advantage of the donation as a tax deduction as
the Verde Valley Senior Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.
Make check payable to Verde Valley Senior Center and mail to Sponsor a Senior
Program, P.O. Box 681, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326
Verde Valley Senior Center in Cottonwood
A Centerpiece of Service for City
Residents Gov. Janet
Napolitano has visited the Verde Valley Senior Center many times during her
tenure as Governor of Arizona. She has observed and visited both the old and
new locations. The old locomotive repair station on Cherry Street magically
morphed from an ugly duckling with historical class into a beautiful swan.
It is a building that was designed to look toward the future, yet respect
its magnificent historical past. Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor
Chip Davis spearheaded the renovation of this historical landmark, with the
collaboration of Executive Director Elaine Bremner.
This project was
brought into fruition with the help of the City of Cottonwood, the towns of
Clarkdale and Camp Verde, and the Yavapai-Apache Nation. Mayor Joens believes the
Senior Center is a centerpiece of service for Cottonwood's entire
population. The center hosts events and activities meeting all of the
community's needs. It is a gathering place for all generations.
Meals on Wheels
support Cottonwood residents. Volunteers who deliver the meals say they are
the only outside daily contact for many of the recipients. This is just
one of the many services that enable seniors to stay in their own homes.
Mayor Joens highly supports the Verde Valley Senior Center and its contribution to
the well-being of Cottonwood residents. Mayor Joens believes that the City of Cottonwood should be an active partner in the
ongoing success of its Senior Center.
Neighborhood Watch Mayor Joens fully supports Cottonwood's
Neighborhood Watch program administered through the Cottonwood Police
Department. The Neighborhood Watch program is about preventing crime through
education, increased awareness, and the cooperative and proactive efforts of the
Police Department and the Community. Improvement of the quality of life through
the reduction of fear and crime and "sense of community" are positive outcomes
of Neighborhood Watch. One neighborhood group works hard to facilitate
semi-annual cleanups in their neighborhood. Increased homeownership has occurred
because of their efforts. To find out how to create your own Neighborhood Watch
group, go to the Cottonwood Police Department's Web site,
http://www.ci.cottonwood.az.us/police.htm.
Photo of Jerome from Dead Horse Ranch State Park The Verde Valley is so beautiful and those
who live here are genuinely grateful for the wide open spaces, beautiful vistas,
and Verde River greenbelt. The Verde Valley is a true valley. Mayor Joens loves to
spend time at Dead Horse Ranch State Park and Verde River Greenway. The City of
Cottonwood appreciates these state resources located within its city limits. The cultural
and historic heritage of the Verde Valley is evident when visiting Montezuma Castle and
Well, Tuzigoot National Monument, Red Rock State Park, Slide Rock State Park,
Ft. Verde State Historic Park, Jerome State Park and Palatki Ruins. Other places
of enjoyment for local people and tourists include Sedona, Jerome, Old Town Cottonwood, the Verde
Canyon Railroad and Blazin' M Ranch.
Governor's Rural
Development Award
Stewards of Public Lands received Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano's
Excellence in Rural Development Award in the community development and
infrastructure category. Co-chairs Diane Joens and Jess Tyler wrote the
application. Various Stewards partners traveled to Tucson to accept the
award.
Stewards of Public Lands
Photo: Stewards of Public
Lands Cochairs Jess Tyler and Diane Joens accept the donation of litter
grabbers from Coleen Harbison of Gardenscapes.
Diane Joens is a founding member and Cochair of the Stewards of Public
Lands. The Stewards of Public Lands have cleaned up more than 3500 acres of
public lands. More than 275 tons of illegally dumped materials have been
disposed of properly. The Stewards' goals are protecting people and property from
wildfire by cleaning up illegal dump sites on public lands, and protecting
the Verde Watershed and its aquifers. The Stewards are committed to
maintaining Verde Valley public lands and keeping them clean of illegally
dumped trash. This enables community members to enjoy valuable land
resources. Stewards believe in “leading by doing.” Goals are to provide
significant volunteer effort and coordinate with local businesses,
municipalities, county resources and state and federal land management
organizations to make area cleanups successful and affordable. Stewards work
with law enforcement organizations to deter further dumping. The Stewards
work to set a good example for fellow community members.
"The activist is
not the person who says the lands are trashy. The activist is the person who
cleans up the lands." says Diane Joens, Stewards Cochair Stewards of Public
Lands Web Site (leaving this Web site).
Growing up in Southern Arizona with
Family Vacations on the Beaches in Mexico
Diane Smith was raised in Sierra Vista,
Arizona, when it was still called "Fry." Her family enjoyed vacationing on
the beaches of Hermosillo, Mexico, because her dad loved to fish. As a child
Diane waded in the San Pedro River and picnicked with her family in the
Huachuca Mountains. She still enjoys exploring Arizona's mountains, canyons,
valleys and rivers. Living in the Verde Valley provides many opportunities
to enjoy the fabulous outdoors.
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COTTONWOOD IS A SPECIAL PLACE!
