December 2022 Rotary Club

Rotarian of the Month: Sharon Flood

Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Chair

Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) named Sharon Flood its November 2022 Rotarian of the Month. Sharon, a Chandler resident, represents State Farm as an RCSL Corporate Member. She has been associated with State Farm since 1989 with underwriting and customer service experience at State Farm’s Tempe and Seattle locations. She holds various insurance broker licenses.

Since joining RCSL in September of 2021, Sharon has become active within RCSL committees and community service projects. She has served and/or volunteered at Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels projects/events, membership committee, Sun Lakes Open Houses, Dictionary Project, Peace Committee, and more. Club President Stephen Phair congratulated Sharon for her volunteerism as a new RCSL member.

For information about this and other Rotary Club of Sun Lakes community service projects or membership, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.

Rotary Club Supports Amanda Hope Kiddos with Hope Blankets

Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Chair

Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) considers non-profit Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels one of its special Valley charities. Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels is a nonprofit support and educational organization designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible, tax-exempt organization, founded in 2012 in celebration of Amanda Hope’s life. Amanda Hope’s mission is to bring dignity and comfort into the harsh world of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

One of the ways RCSL recently supported Amanda Hope was through the club’s $300 monetary donation to be used to purchase fleece to make blankets for hope and comfort to children in need—one blanket at a time. In response to the club’s donation, RCSL Rotarian and Sun Lakes resident Kandi Skrabala volunteered to hand make several hope blankets.

Additionally, several RCSL members, along with ASU Rotaract members, were on hand for a Trunk or Treat event held at the Amanda Hope headquarters parking lot. Rotarians, with the support of ASU Rotaract Rotary Club members, put on Halloween costumes, decorated their car trunks, and passed out candy to childhood cancer warriors.

To donate or volunteer, see www.amandahope.org for more information. For information about this and other Rotary Club of Sun Lakes community service projects or membership, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.

Rotary Club Honors CUSD Teachers

Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes presented the club’s September 2022 Teacher of the Month Award to Linda Murphy, music teacher at Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) Elementary Connect, and the October 2022 Teacher of the Month Award to Lindsey Lara, second grade teacher at CUSD Auxier Elementary. The award selection is based on the teacher’s total years of service in the field of education; examples of how the teacher goes above the normal requirements and enhances student education; the respect shown for the teacher by her/his peers, students, and parents; and the teacher’s involvement in extracurricular activities and service in the community. A $500 check is awarded to the honored teacher: $200 from the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes, $200 from Earnhardt Automotive Center, and $100 from Trust Bank.

Per the nomination documentation, Linda Murphy is not just a music teacher, she is music to the souls of this school. She is a community creator, which is a crucial need for an online school. She doesn’t just teach music. She gets kids and families in clubs and activities after school. She seeks what the students might be missing and finds a way to provide it to them online. On her own time, without being paid, she has built events that our families are coming together for. She has created Craft Club, Sing-Along Night, talent shows, Art Masterpiece, and Ukulele Club. These activities serve to build connections among the students and foster collaboration in the classroom. Collaboration in the classroom increases academic output. She was instrumental in coordinating, creating, and scheduling a “live” music/band/orchestra option for students who might not otherwise get this option because they attend an online school. Teachers on campus are thrilled to work with her because of the opportunities she creates for students. Linda also worked with school staff to create a Patriot Day activity that we all participated in. Linda Murphy is always going above and beyond to make educational and extracurricular activities an option for our students’ enrichment.

Per the nomination documentation, Lindsey Lara is an exceptional teacher, colleague, and friend. She loves with her whole heart. Lindsey sees the best in all her students. She cares and works hard to build relationships with students and their families. Fellow teachers who work with Lindsey have stated that she buys school supplies for students in need. She has purchased shoes and birthday gifts for students in foster care. She attends her students’ extracurricular events on the weekends and has even left a vacation early to show up for a student. She has a positive outlook, is a great team player, and communicates effectively. She is the second grade Team Lead and regularly keeps us in the “know.” Lindsey is thoughtful, dependable, and kind. She is an intuitive helper. She is often heard saying, “I’ve got it!” and quickly fills whatever need she sees, such as covering a duty, making copies, writing up emergency sub plans, or taking a staff member’s child home from school. Lindsey Lara is a gift! Auxier’s students and staff are blessed to have an incredible teacher like her contributing to our community.

For more information about Rotary Club of Sun Lakes education programs and membership, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.