With the 2010 Sun City 50th Anniversary celebration a year away it is an appropriate time to honor the current Sun City Golden Anniversary Board President Susan Sommers who is and has been hard at work in planning the event. The Golden Anniversary - 50 years in the making - is a yearlong celebration, a tribute to the community Del Webb envisioned when the first Sun City model homes were built and the marketing process of a unique active retirement community began in 1960.

Sommers, in her capacity as president, is a brilliant example of the spirit of voluntarism in Sun City. Her dedication and commitment to the success of this important celebration are to be commended.

Prior to Sommers' move to Arizona her parents, M.W. (Ron) and Rosemary Maddox, had moved to Sun City West in 1984. Her first visit to see them was in the month of July.

Even though the heat made her question her parent's decision, she began a practice of visiting twice a year, but wisely chose the beautiful winter months. She quickly learned of the active retirement lifestyle and wonderful amenities that were offered. And that is when the Sun City bug bit her.

When Chase Bank offered her a job transfer, she jumped at the chance by moving first to Sun City West and then to Sun City in 2005, which made her a second-generation Sun Citian. A bonus was that her sister, Linda Graham, already lived in the community.

When Sommers was asked about her family a huge smile crossed her face. She proudly said she has two daughters and two sons-in-law. Her daughter, Kiersten, is married to Jason Folb and daughter, Gwen, is married to Daniel Cabo. Together they have given her three granddaughters ages 8 months, 3 years and 7 years old to brag about.

In 2006, Sommers became a licensed real estate associate with Windermere/West Valley Realty. In her first venture into local voluntarism, she followed her interest in the history of Sun City. Through her affiliation with Windermere Realty, she revived a relationship with the Sun Cities Historical Society. where she served on the board.

She organized an event to bring further awareness to the society by scheduling an open house at the original Sun City model home. She persuaded a jazz group to donate their talent and arranged a hot dog roast. Although pessimists warned her not to expect more than 75 visitors, she was determined, and held on to her goal of seeing 200 people pass through the door. Ultimately, 300 attended, and the society saw an increase in interest and membership.

This success and volunteer spirit did not go unnoticed. Ed Allen, past President of the Sun City Historical Society, asked Sommers to attend a Sun City 50th Anniversary public meeting.

She quickly volunteered to chair the Ways and Means Committee. In 2008, she was appointed president.

Sommers invites the community to log on to www.suncityaz.org then click on the 50th Anniversary link for more information.

Those with questions or interested in volunteering can e-mail the board at suncity50thanniversary@cox.net.

Sommers also sends an open invitation to all Sun City residents to attend the next 50th Anniversary public meeting Jan. 21 at Lakeview Recreation Center.

Sun City will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010, and the Daily News-Sun will salute volunteers who have made past celebrations successes in this occasional column by Marilyn Holley and Darrell Bradshaw. Holley and Bradshaw are real estate associates with Ken Meade Realty and members of the 2010 anniversary committee. If you know of a dedicated anniversary celebration volunteer, call Holley at 623-505-8743 or Bradshaw 623-810-9183.