By Richard Smith
Courtesy Northwest Connect
Nonprofit Northwest Valley Connect will hold its first-ever fundraiser from 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 11, at the R.H. Johnson Recreation Center, 19803 N R H Johnson Blvd in Sun City West.
The free event for people of all ages will feature a car show, food trucks, wine and beer, silent auction, raffle, children’s activities and a live DJ.
Kathy Chandler, executive director with Northwest Valley Connect gives an update on the organization the the ABCs group in the PORA building Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (Independent Newsmedia file)
Proceeds from the fundraiser will help Northwest Valley Connect continue its mission of providing personalized support to connect area residents with available transportation services, while developing new transportation options for seniors and people with disabilities to overcome existing service gaps.
Northwest Valley Connect recently marked its second full year of operation, responding to more than 3,500 calls to its call center where trained volunteers “connect” homebound adults and those with limited mobility to an appropriate transportation provider. In some cases, the agency uses its own volunteer drivers to make the trips.
“The growth in calls has been explosive,” said Kathy Chandler, Executive Director and Mobility Manager. “Transportation remains the number one challenge for those well enough to live at home but who no longer can drive. These folks need transportation not only to doctors’ appointments but also to shopping and the all-important social activities."
Northwest Valley Connect is a nonprofit transportation coordination service for residents of the northwest region of the Phoenix metropolitan area. NVC aims to educate the population it serves on existing transportation resources as well as provide new senior transportation options to service unmet needs, said Ms. Chandler.
Major sponsors for Motors and Meals are: The Wulkan Group, Independent News Media, Sun Health, Birt and Louisa Kellam and Benevilla. Other sponsors include DMB/Marley Park, APS, Total Transit, Epcor, the Sun City West Rec Centers, FirstLight Home Care, SunWest Federal Credit Union, Champs Family Automotive, AMTrust Bank and PORA.
For information about Motors and Meals, visit www.northwestvalleyconnect.org/event or call 623-282-9300.
