Planning Is Underway for the Fifth Annual IronOaks Play It Forward Benefit for Neighbors Who Care
Planning is underway for Play It Forward, the fifth annual IronOaks event to benefit Neighbors Who Care, on Saturday, March 28. Activities are staged in and around the Oakwood Fitness Center, tennis courts, and pickleball courts and the Field of Dreams softball field. Lunch is provided for all participants at noon on the Oakwood Fitness Center patio.
All area communities are encouraged to join, including Cottonwood, IronOaks, Palo Verde, Robson Reserve, Solera, Springfield, SunBird, Sun Lakes Country Club, and Chandler.
The event expanded to include golf and softball in 2025, and this year, it will also include fitness.
Judy Gahide, event chair, requests that those who cannot play consider making a donation to the tournament on behalf of Neighbors Who Care. Arizona residents can make a donation on behalf of Play It Forward to satisfy the Arizona Tax Credit, which equals $495 for single filers or $987 for couples. In 2024 Play It Forward raised $38,000, in 2025 it raised $58,000, and in 2026 the goal is set for $50,000 to support services allowing hundreds to age safely in place with Neighbors Who Care’s volunteer services.
All play will begin at 8 a.m., and individuals may sign up for more than one 50-minute segment. Each player will contribute $20 to play for 50 minutes. All dollars are directed to Neighbors Who Care to support the Aging In Place program.
Forms will be available in February to sign up.
Get Involved—Sponsor and Access More Than 200 Active Adults!
Businesses and individuals may apply to become one of the limited sponsorships for the event. If your company is interested in having a table and a banner at the site or becoming a tee sponsor, contact Sheryl Keeme at sheryl@neighborswhocare.com or call Neighbors Who Care at 480-895-7133.
Laura Zeiner
Meet Laura Zeiner, Neighbors Who Care’s New Office Manager
Robin Wilson
A Lifetime of Service Comes Home to Sun Lakes
Neighbors Who Care is proud to introduce our new office manager Laura who grew up in the Phoenix area and whose entire career has been defined by a deep-seated passion for helping people in their most vulnerable moments.
A Foundation of Compassion
Laura’s journey in service began remarkably early. She earned her EMT certification in high school and joined Terros Health, an organization founded in 1969 to provide grassroots support for substance use and mental health crises. Working on psychiatric ambulances and crisis lines, she utilized the organization’s signature “no-heat” approach, which focused on partnering with healthcare providers to offer help without legal repercussions.
Growth and Operational Expertise
During her 32-year tenure at Terros Health, Laura witnessed the organization grow from 64 staff members to over 1,000. She eventually transitioned from direct field services into critical administrative roles, mastering the complex operational “gears,” including training and payroll, that keep a large nonprofit running smoothly.
From the President’s Office to Our Front Door
After her long career at Terros Health, Laura spent several years at Arizona State University. She worked in their business operation of the law department. That department eventually moved to the ASU president’s office where she served for the last two years.
While she was preparing for retirement, Laura saw a posting for the Neighbors Who Care office manager position and knew it was a “perfect fit,” an opportunity to bring her decades of operational expertise back to the community she calls home.
Life in Sun Lakes
Laura and her husband Clint, a retired police lieutenant, moved to Sun Lakes in 2021. Drawn by the golf and active community lifestyle, they have embraced the area. Outside the office, Laura is an avid crafter and cook. She believes food is the ultimate way to pull people together. She loves staying busy with work, reading, and other outdoor activities. She cherishes time with her adult children and her beloved dog Kolbie, a McNab Scottish border collie.
A Vision for the Future
Laura’s goal is to ensure Neighbors Who Care remains a stable, forward-thinking pillar for Sun Lakes and South Chandler seniors. She is dedicated to using her background in training and operations to move the organization into the future.
“I want to make sure I continue to serve my community,” Laura says. We are thrilled to have her experience and heart leading our office!