Garden Club plants altruistic seed

The Sun City Garden Club has raised money for ill children and their families, and it hopes to raise the spirits of U.S. troops in Iraq an Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, the club presented a check for $200 to Ronald McDonald House of Phoenix.

Kathy Anderson, a volunteer coordinator for Ronald McDonald House, came to the club's meeting to accept the donation and relive her family's association with the program that provides housing for families to be near their children while they are undergoing treatment.

"A few years ago, my youngest child had to go to Baltimore for medical care, so I went with one child while my husband stayed here with the others," Anderson said. "It was very hard on us, but the people there were amazing."

Now, Anderson works at the Ronald McDonald House of Phoenix, which recently added a second location and boasts 63 rooms. When a child needs medical care and the family lives more than 30 miles from the hospital, Ronald McDonald House offers them a place to stay, at a rate of $10 a night. Many families are unable to even pay that, Anderson said, which is where donations make a big difference.

"We are able to cover that cost for them, which I know personally can be difficult," Anderson said. "When my child was sick, we were there for three months. That's $900. My husband and I were in good shape financially at the time, but even we had trouble making ends meet."

Anderson said any donation, big or small, makes a difference.

"We rely heavily on volunteers and donations to do what we do, so any amount of money helps," Anderson said.

Garden Club President Pete Petersen also announced plans for the club's next project, a cooling scarf drive.

At its previous meeting, a guest speaker from Soldier's Angels gave them the idea for the project and Petersen said members decided it would be a worthy effort to support. The cooling scarves are made up of polymer crystals and when soaked in cold water for 15 minutes, stay cold for up to 15 hours in 120-degree weather.

"It's the kind of thing that doesn't seem like that big of a deal until you imagine what it's like for them over there in Iraq and Afghanistan," Petersen said. "It's such a simple item, but it makes a world of difference."

Petersen said the cooling scarves cost about $8 and anyone interested in getting involved should call the Garden Club office between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday-Friday. The number is 623-875-5921.

For more information on Ronald McDonald House of Phoenix, visit www.rmhcphoenix.com.

Jeff Dempsey may be reached at 623-876-2531 or jdempsey@yourwestvalley.com.