The Sun City 50th Anniversary Committee met Wednesday to outline its plans for the next two years, with one theme prevalent from every speaker: more volunteers are needed, and they will be needed soon.

"I don't need a lot of help right now," said Walt Patterson, administrative chairman for the committee and president of the Sun City Home Owners Association. "But starting next year, we're going to need a lot. If we're going to be able to do all the things we want to do, we're going to need the volunteers."

The committee is planning to "fill the next calendar year" with events related to the anniversary, which is Jan. 1, 2010.

Paul Herrmann, spokesman for the committee and executive director of the Sun City Visitors Center, said voluntarism when he first came to the community was very high.

"I moved here just in time for the 40th anniversary, and at the luncheon we had 250 to 300 people," Hermann said. "We need people to get involved now, too."

Easily the most passionate address - and the only one that drew applause - came from SCHOA Secretary Bill Pearson, who serves along with his wife, Lori, on the anniversary committee. Pearson said he sees the anniversary as the single greatest marketing tool since the community opened in 1960.

"This is our opportunity to show the whole world what this community is all about," he said.

Pearson said it was Del Webb who designed the community, but it was the people who lived there who built it.

"They stood up and they took ownership and they made this community what they wanted it to be," he said. "And that's what we're asking you to do now. We need people to step up, raise their hands and say they'll help."

Pearson said the "calendar year of events" is too great a task for the group now assembled.

"We need you, because if you don't step up we can't do it," Pearson said.

Herrmann added that, when the community opened in 1960, it garnered national attention.

"We had a story on the cover of Life magazine, and national media here writing about us," Herrmann said. "We see no reason why that can't happen again for the 50th anniversary."

Committee member Connie McMillan said she is eager to move forward with the planned events and hopes to bring in as many volunteers as possible.

"This is an exciting time for all of us," McMillan said. "We want to encourage everyone to get on board early. Come out and help us."

To volunteer, e-mail Walt Patterson at suncity50thanniversary@cox.net. For information, call the Sun City Visitors Center at 623-977-5000 or visit www.suncityaz.org.

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