We Care
newsletter WINTER | 2022
PAW PALS P5
WINTER FEST P11
RESET Builds Personal Connections and Long-term Stability After coming to ICS for financial assistance to pay her bills, Charlene entered the RESET program with the hopes of making life better for herself and her two children. Recently, Charlene worked with Maryann Moulinet, the RESET Program Coordinator, on an application for Habitat for Humanity’s housing program. Thanks to Charlene’s persistence and Maryann’s support, 2820 W. Ina Rd. Tucson, AZ 85741
IN T HI S I S S U E:
VOLUME 37, NO. 1
Charlene’s application was accepted, and although she still has more steps to complete, Charlene is getting closer to obtaining an affordable home – a pivotal accomplishment for her family. In addition to offering participants financial help, RESET provides them with learning opportunities and tools to navigate through tough times. The curriculum acknowledges that trauma is often behind some of the barriers to self-sufficiency, which means that the topics range
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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID TUCSON, AZ PERMIT #2874
RESET
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“Helping people in need achieve stable, healthy and independent lives.”
Awarded four stars eleven years in a row!
A Word from Tom Dear Friends of ICS! The knowledge that you are not alone and that others care for you is an important realization for all of us. We can all get through our most challenging times by relying on simple acts of compassion: the encouragement of a RESET participant to follow their dreams or the gathering of isolated individuals to partake in a furry friends event, just to name a few. People are innately compassionate beings, and simple actions show us the value of one’s capacity to care. As we move forward into 2022, the people we serve and those doing the serving will need words not only of encouragement, but of kindness and compassion as well. We cannot put a value on social interaction or helping people avoid isolation. The mental and physical benefits are well documented. Compassion makes up the foundation of ICS services; compassion in all that we do and with those we serve. Our words and actions have the power to lift people up and motivate them to achieve their goals. Our words and actions every day make a difference. And we plan to make a difference every day.
Tom McKinney Chief Executive Officer
Email: info@icstucson.org Website: www.icstucson.org Northwest Office:
2820 W. Ina Road Tucson, AZ 85741 campus of Christ the King Episcopal Ph: 520-297-6049
Eastside Office:
8701 E. Old Spanish Trail Tucson, AZ 85710 campus of New Spirit Lutheran Ph: 520-731-3076
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from grief recovery to supportive social networks to budgets and financial planning. According to Maryann, “Self-sufficiency isn’t just about having a good job, but it’s also having affordable housing, good medical care, good childcare. It incorporates so many things, and it takes time.” Charlene was coming out of a divorce when she was referred by her faith community to the RESET program. Her sustained relationship with Maryann and other ICS staff has empowered her to recognize the fullness of her self-worth. Wanting more for herself because she knows she deserves it – this attitude has been fueling Charlene’s accomplishments, and she attributes it partly to encouragement from ICS. “It’s been good to have somebody on my side,” Charlene says. “Maryann is a really amazing person. She’s been there through everything.” To say that Charlene has been working hard for herself would be an understatement. Habitat for Humanity requires 250 hours of “sweat equity” – labor at various construction sites – before an applicant can progress through their program. After her normal workday, Charlene has been swinging hammers in addition to interviewing for higher-paying jobs. Charlene credits Maryann for keeping her focused and helping her break down her goals into manageable steps. For Charlene, whose main support system is found within ICS, participation in the RESET program is vital in her steps toward self-sufficiency. For people to attain long-term financial stability, they need more than just short-term emergency assistance. The RESET program connects participants to the resources they need to overcome their barriers to self-sufficiency while providing regular coaching and a level of personal connection that, for Charlene, has made all the difference. “I hang on to the message of being valued,” Charlene says. “Maryann and ICS say to me, ‘You know you can do this, let’s get you there and see what else you can do.’”
Central Office:
122 N. Craycroft Rd. Tucson, AZ 85711 campus of Rincon Congregational UCC Ph: 520-731-3076
Southside Office:
101 W. Irvington Rd. Building 2A Tucson, AZ 85714 El Pueblo Neighborhood Center Ph: 520-297-6049
Interfaith Community Services We Care Newsletter is published quarterly by Interfaith Community Services, 2820 W. Ina Rd., Tucson, AZ 85741. Receive this newsletter by e-mail instead by notifying us at agarn@icstucson.org.
ICS Staff volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to support RESET and Habitat participant Charlene.
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Celebrating Our Volunteer Family
Connect Venture
Support
Volunteer
Community
HELP
Grow
Engage
“The winter nights are long and the days are sweetened by volunteering.” Do you agree? Helping others never runs out of season. The ICS volunteer team is essential to helping many through their long wintery nights. I frequently hear and see that volunteers experience the sweetness of giving. A few ICS ways to connect in with this giving ethos. Help someone find a job in our newly expanded NW Workforce Development Center with Haley. Load, unload, pack food or stock the Mobile Food Bank truck at the Eastside office with Val and Brandon. Assist with scheduling rides for seniors at the Central office with Luke. And yard work - this is a season for yard work coordinated by Felicia!
Give
Learn
Contact Tori or Maria in Volunteer Engagement for more information. Sign up for an upcoming orientation if you are new to ICS volunteering and we will get you connected! You can find out more about volunteering at ICS at icstucson.org or contact Tori Carlson, tcarlson@icstucson. org or Maria Brown, mbrown@icstucson.org, 520-526-9308.
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ICS Staff Updates Brandon Miller, Mobile Food Bank Assistant Brandon "B-Love" Miller, worked with TUSD for 8 years, as a behavior intervention Specialist, and as a youth sport coach for many different sports programs. Before he began at ICS he was assist production manager/Truck Driver for Casa de Los Nino’s. He also owns and/plays for a semi-pro basketball team called the Tucson Buckets, the only professional basketball team in the city. This is their 7th Season. Fun fact: Brandon loves writing songs, poetry, and cooking. He is big on travelling and spending time with his 3 year old daughter. He is super thrilled to be a part the ICS Team. Gabriella Felix, Senior Resource and Intake Coordinator Gabby lived in Europe for two years. She can speak Spanish and German and is the mother of twin 10-year-old boys. Her previous work experience includes over 20 years of customer experience. She has worked for Wells Fargo, State of Arizona and Geico. Her passion has always been helping others and having the gift of Gab just like her nickname. Fun fact: Gabby can speak three languages.
Winter Fest In December, ICS celebrated with a Winter Wonderland Drive thru. It was a welcome dash of holiday cheer in a whole new way. We enjoyed some sweet treats and delightful holiday music provided by Joyful Hearts String Quartet. Thanks to all who stopped by and to all our volunteers for your vital service.
Service
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VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS ARE NOW ONLINE! Sign up on our website at icstucson.org All orientation times are 10:00 am January 21st February 4th February 18th March 4th March 18th
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Interfaith Community Services was founded in 1985 by six faith communities and is proud to work with 120 partnering faith communities today.
e v o L f o Gifts eading Joy! Spr
We were able to distribute gifts to 700 children, teens and seniors during the 2021 Holiday Gifts of Love Program - making their holiday just a little brighter. Thanks to compassionate donors, including a number of faith community partners who adopted whole families. Mariah Erhart, ICS Special Project Coordinator did an amazing job coordinating with the help of volunteers Colleen O'Leary, Carol Lange, Carol Hahn, Susan Hirsch , John and Darla Cavanaugh, , June and Greg Golden.
Faith Community Engagement News A new year means newness all around! At ICS, we are rolling out our new Mobile Food Bank to neighborhoods all over town beginning in January 2022! We will be pulling up to four partner Faith Communities each week from 10:00am -12:00pm: Tuesdays at ConnectionPointe Church (4314 N. Romero Rd) Wednesdays at Rincon Congregational Church United Church of Christ (122 N. Craycroft) Thursdays at New Spirit Lutheran Church (8701 E. Old Spanish Trail) Fridays at Unleashed Christian Church (265 W. Valencia) ICS is excited for the possibilities that will come with this new Mobile Food Bank and we are thankful to the congregations who are willing to host the Mobile Food Bank and the ICS clients. In November, ICS and four partner faith communities saw the return of the Produce Giveaway Program! This program brings supplemental food, most of it produce, into communities of need that does not count as a Food Bank visit. A special thanks to Unleashed
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Christian Church, Greater Faith Word Church International, Northminster Presbyterian, and Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church for hosting and for also providing volunteers. As 2021 ends, ICS would like to thank all 120 of our Faith Communities. This was a tough year for many, for just as many different reasons. At ICS, we grieve the loss of Capilla Del Sol Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), but we celebrate the joining of Apostolic Deliverance Ministry. We grieve the loss of long-time volunteers, but we rejoice that new volunteers are coming from Faith Communities who are stepping up in beautiful ways. We celebrate the creativity that our partner Faith Communities have birthed in 2021 to continue to meet, to grow, and to support our neighbors in need through Interfaith Community Services. To schedule a visit at one of our offices, or to have an ICS staff member or board member to visit your congregation, or to explore your congregation joining us in the good work described in this newsletter, call our Faith and Community Outreach Coordinator, Jay Deskins at 520-314-3271.
Abiding in Christ Fellowship Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Agape Christian Church International Aldea Spiritual Community Alive Church Alive in Christ Lutheran Apostolic Deliverance Ministry Arizona Yage Spiritual Assembly Ascension Lutheran Baha’i Faith - Oro Valley Beautiful Savior Lutheran Canyon del Oro Bible Church Capilla del Sol Christian Casas Adobes Congregational UCC Casas Church Catalina United Methodist Christ Church United Methodist Christ Presbyterian Christ the King Episcopal Church of the Apostles Episcopal Church of the Everlasting Gospel Church of the Painted Hills UCC Community Christian Church Marana Congregation Anshei Israel Congregation Bet Shalom Congregation Chaverim Congregation M’kor Hayim ConnectionPointe Church Connections Vineyard C.O.R.E. Life Ministries Cortaro Vista Community Church Desert Dove Christian Church Desert Skies United Methodist Desert Valley Adventist Church Dove of Peace Lutheran Ebenezer All Nations Seventh Day Adventist Faith Christian Fellowship of Tucson First Christian Church First United Methodist Church Fountain of Life Lutheran Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church
Grace to the Nations Church St. Christopher Catholic Parish Greater Faith Word Church St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic International St. Francis in the Foothills United Hope City Church Methodist Immanuel Presbyterian St. James United Methodist Islamic Center of Tucson St John's United Methodist Kol Ami Church Living Grace Ekklesia St. John on the Desert Lord of Grace Lutheran Presbyterian LifeBridge Church St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Lutheran Church of the Foothills St. Mark’s Presbyterian Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist St. Mark’s United Methodist Ministerios Manantial De Amor St. Matthew’s Episcopal Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist St. Michael and All Angels Church Episcopal Mountain Shadows Presbyterian St. Michael the Archangel Mountain View Baptist Ecumenical Catholic Mountain Vista U.U. Congregation St. Odilia Catholic New Hope/Nueva Esperanza St. Paul's United Methodist Church United Methodist Church St. Philip’s In The Hills Episcopal New Life Bible Fellowship Streams in the Desert Lutheran New Life Community Church of Summit Ridge Church the Nazarene Tanque Verde Lutheran New Spirit Lutheran Templo La Uncion Northminster Presbyterian The Good News Community North Tucson Stake of The Church Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day The Holy Way Presbyterian Saints The Journey Church Northwest Community Friends Third Church of Christ, Scientist Church Tortolita Presbyterian Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene Tree of Life Church Oro Valley United Church of Christ Trinity Presbyterian Church Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Tucson Central Church of the Church Nazarenne Our Saviour’s Lutheran Tucson Church International Pantano Christian Church Tucson Community of Christ Resurrection Lutheran Tucson Midvale Park SDA Church Rincon Baptist Church Unity of Tucson Rincon Congregational UCC Unity Spiritual Center of Peace Rising Star Baptist Church Unleashed Church Saguaro Christian Church U.U. Church of Tucson Sanctuary United Methodist Vida Nueva/New Life Church of Santa Catalina Catholic God Shalom Mennonite The Village Church Southside Presbyterian Water of Life Metropolitan St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Community Church St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church St. Andrew’s Presbyterian
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Thanks to our Corporate and Foundation Partners
Paw Pals Meet Grace. Grace is one of four therapy dogs who recently spread some joy around the ICS Northwest Campus as part of an innovative event called Paw Pals. Thanks to new partnerships with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, we were able to address one of the biggest challenges facing seniors: social isolation. Many participants in ICS Caregiving and Senior Services have no other forms of social support, such as friends or family. In addition, there are few opportunities for them to make new connections with others in a social setting. Add to that an even greater isolation from necessary precautions due to the pandemic. In 2021, 34% of participants that received an ICS Home Re-evaluation stated that they experienced social isolation and had inconsistent forms of social support.
David S. and Norma R. Lewis Foundation
With the help of new partnerships, dedicated volunteers and compassionate staff, we have found an opportunity to ease some of that loneliness. On Friday, November 19th, ICS hosted its first Paw Pals event for a select group of Senior Services participants. Four volunteer drivers brought a total of nine participants to our Northwest campus to meet Granite, Grace, Benson, and Lincoln. Not only did participants have an opportunity to interact with the therapy dogs, they also had the added benefit of socializing with other attendees, handlers and staff. Everyone who attended the event wore masks and were spatially seated to maintain social distancing.
L2 Foundation
Waters Corporation
Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation
Eliot Spalding Foundation
Elizabeth Read Taylor Foundation
Denton Family Foundation
Lyons Family Foundation
Beaty Martinez Foundation
J. William and Helen D. Stuart Foundation
Millwood Foundation
Stratton Advisors
Tucson Charity Bridge Club
Carl and Mabel Shurtz Foundation
Hellene Hendrickson Foundation
B & D Brady Foundation
Witthoft Apprill Family Foundation
Thomas and Jean Elmezzi Private Foundation
The event was a huge success, equally among senior participants and staff as well. The participants and volunteers had a lot of fun meeting each other as well as interacting with the therapy dogs. It was wonderful to see how much joy they all got from the experience. During the event, One of Paw Pals participants said, "I can't tell you how much this afternoon means to me. It's been a really hard time for me recently since I lost both my dog and my spouse over the past few years. I've been feeling lonely, so it's nice to be able to get out of the house and see so many happy people and dogs today!" Another attendee commented, "I had such a great time! Everyone was so kind, and it was wonderful that ICS had this type of event. I am excited to attend the next Paw Pals gathering." The event was a new and exciting way for senior participants and volunteers to interact with the therapy dogs and with each other. There is still a high demand for social engagement opportunities from the seniors in Tucson. The Paw Pals event was successful in filling these demands through acts of care, companionship, and compassion.
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Memorials and Tributes: 10/1/21-12/31/21
Memorials and Tributes Continued
Memorials and gifts of honor are a special way to remember friends and loved ones, as well as make a tax‑deductible donation to ICS. An acknowledgment is sent to both donor and honoree. Thank you! In Memory Of: Given By John Allen, Joan Allen Susan L Ault, Mr. Bruce and Ms. Gloria Ault Carol Backus, Mr. Peter and Ms. Shirley Nelson Joe Barraza, Ms. Helen Barraza The Beauto and Arel families, Anthony and Mayme Beauto Walter Beecher, Mrs. Jane Beecher Phylsey Bergeson, Jim and Lora Pirzynski Aldo Bonincontri, Mr. Chet and Mrs. Elena Oldakowski John Boydstun, Ms. Lois Boydstun Vicki Boyer, Mr. William and Ms. Carol Ulrich, Steve Boyer Robert and Marie Brauer, Mr. Lawrence Brauer Breiling Family, Deeanne Kroner Tom Brock, Mrs. Nancy Brock Carole Burba, Bernard Burba My parents, Hal and Ruth Chadwick, Barbara Chadwick James Chamberlain, Ms. Kathryn McFarlane Bob Chivers, Mr. John and Ms. Betty Bellingham Eloise and John Clymer, Mr. Owen Clymer Brian Codd, Barbara Codd Risa Crockett, Sandy and Bob Crockett Carol Wood Davis, Charles Davis Paul Den Herder, Mary and Warren VandeBerg, Stephen and Judy Herzog Michael Dinolfo, Donna Vacca Brestin Peter G Dunn, Sharon Dunn William Duryee, Patricia Duryee Roy W Eberbach, Mary Ann Eberbach Ruth Fales, Mr. Allan and Ms. Lisa Tyler The Departed Farleys, Patricia Duryee Vera Finney, Ms. James and Ms. Frances Bell Robert Lee Frownfelter, Ms. Rod and Mr. Suzanne Anderson Ruth Ganeles, Paul Ganeles Anthony J Gatto, Nick and Denise Lapins Bill Gross, Richard and Violet Davis, Ms. Mary Bauer Glenn Hamstra, Lester and Suzanne Hayt Edmund L. Jenkins, Dr. Quentin Anderson and Pamela Henderson, Betsy Sandlin, James and Dolly Moran Dick Kampa, Norma Price, Hilary Van Alsburg, Maura Grogan Cornell and Stephen E. Cornell, Lauren K. Kanzler, De Ann Stirling Dick Kampa, Bob Lyons and Jim Toole, Wayne and Carol Dawson Charles Kelly, Ms. Kathleen Gatto Ken, Ms. Carol A. Duncan James F. Kramer, beloved brother and great uncle, Reginald and Marjorie Kramer Kevin Koch, Ms. Becky and Ms. Kim Koch Our son, Michael Kuehn, Mr. Thomas and Ms. Ann Bush Marcia Larsen, Charles and Martha Brown Julius and Jeannette Leaf, Arlene Leaf
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John (Jack) Lehmkuhl, Mary Feldsien John (Jack) Lehmkuhl, Ken and Marcia Rislov, Roger and Pat Kaltenberger Jerry Loomis, Dudley and Karen Woodard Bob Lyons, Mr. James and Ms. Jane Peterson, Ms. Holly and Mr. Dewayne Tripp, Dudley and Karen Woodard, Ms. Myra Christenson, Freeman and Rebecca Taber, Stephen and Judy Herzog Ilse and Jim MacKenzie, Mr. Virgil and Ms. Muriel Gerdes Hisa Mergard, Bartlett and Melinda Heald My Pap who would give anyone the shirt off his back., Sara Wolfe Vaughan My Parents, Ms. Nancy Atherton Bette Groty Newton, Dr. Keith and Reverend Mary Groty Margie Nordbrock, Nancy Miller Neil O'Connor, Ms. Nancy and Mr. William O'Connor Our Amazing Oreo, Mr. Don and Ms. Carol Hayden Micah Grace Owen, Martha and Bill Owen Jean Pekurney, Ms. Eileen Rakita Don Pell, Ms. Sue Pell Elliot and Fred Poston, Ms. Gloria Poston Marion Rosenbaum, Mr. Barry and Ms. Wendy Brodsky, Paul Chorney Michael Rowe, Mr. Linda M Tillema, Tom and Alice Coldren, Lynn Ransford Carol Rucks, Gerald Rucks Chaplain Daniel Sakall, Patricia Catterfeld John Sandahl, Mr. Brayton and Ms. Helen Perkins Betty Seymour, Mr. Charles and Ms. Candy Hastings Jayne Shaffer, Shaffer & Danker CPA's Jack R. Spring, Connie Stoessel Ruth Stouffer, Steve and Kathy King Susie and Charlie Sturm, Arlene Sturm Roger W Taylor, Thomas Jones, Ms. Julie Taylor Judith Thum, Gabriel Thum and Paula Randler Jim Tillema, Mr. Linda M Tillema John R Turner, Andrew Turner Dick Weill, Wendell and Rose Tyson Kevin Wetterstrom, Anonymous
In Honor Of: Given By All the faith communities who partner with ICS to serve our community, Ms. Karen and Ms. Sue MacDonald The Extended Aldag Family, Anonymous Jean Bassett, Ms. Rose Moreno Jennifer, Bryan and Olive Biedscheid, Mr. Robert and Ms. Susan Hickox Kirstin Bock, Anonymous Bob Botten, Mr. Howard and Ms. Nancy Ullrich Earl Botten, Mr. Howard and Ms. Nancy Ullrich
The Brust Family, Ms. Rose Moreno Mr. & Mrs. Caponegro, Amalia M Walther Pat and Jack Carlson, Mr. Howard and Ms. Nancy Ullrich Carole and Mike Clark, Ms. Margaret Gaines Virgie Coen, Ms. Margaret Gaines Virgie Coen, Mr. Dennis and Ms. Joan Kroeckel Jo Ann Daly, Ms. Margaret Gaines Jo Ann Daly, Mr. Dennis and Ms. Joan Kroeckel Dee Dee's Giving Tuesday fundraiser for Interfaith Community Services, Sarah Beth Ansell, Kit Dunbar, Celena Robles Rev. Jay Deskins, Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ John and Becky Fenn, Richmond and Nancy Fenn Peggy Gaines, Mr. Dennis and Ms. Joan Kroeckel Ann Garn, Mollee Richey, Mariah Erhart and Rikki Mioduski, Celena Robles Jane Gersmeyer, Ms. Rose Moreno Lee Harber's 75th Birthday, Freeman and Rebecca Taber Keith and Selene Harris, Roger and Margery Pease Bob and Anne Hendricks, Karin Hendricks Bob Hendricks, Robert Batey and Christine Weiler Pres and Judy Holtry, Ms. Linda LaRue Lee Hunt, Barry and Susan Bedrick Greg & Gail Jester - Merry Christmas! Steve and Kathy King Joanie and Denny Kroekel, Ms. Margaret Gaines Karen MacDonald, Mr. Arlan Colton Stephanie Martin, Ms. Rose Moreno Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield, Ms. Rose Moreno Tom McKinney, Ms. Jan Sturges Mobile Meal Delivery, Ms. Linda Gray Doris Morris, Ruth McCoy Chris and Nancy Myers, Julie Reichman Leah Noreng, Her friends and supporters on the Amphi Foundation Board. Mr. & Mrs. Chad Parsons Wedding, Steve Melton Mr. and Mrs. Pettett, Ms. Rose Moreno Paul Prazak - A Great Man, Mr. Paul and Ms. Linda Prazak Jennifer Reinhart and Family, Ms. Rose Moreno Mr. and Mrs. Schermer, Ms. Rose Moreno Bob and Judy Sette, Ms. Gayle and Mr. Thomas Sette The dedicated efforts of David Shaft, Lora L. King Janet Stewart, Ms. Suzi Lenhart Jay Suchland, Jenny Suchland Gwen Sweeney, Jane Espinoza Jill Taylor, Mr. Keith and Ms. Mary Lou Steinkamp Janis Willkom, Ms. Ann K Mills Diane Wilson, James W Springer Mr. and Mrs. Young, Ms. Rose Moreno
Free Tax Help is now virtual! February 2 - April 11
To get started visit getyourrefund.org • • • • • • •
Picture ID Original Social Security card for EACH family member Proof of income Documentation of deductible expenses Account and routing numbers for direct deposit of refunds Prior-year tax return If you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace, Form 1095-A and dependents’ proof of income. Both spouses must be present if filing Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately. Maximum annual household income of $66,000 to receive this free service.
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Saturday March 5, 2022
11 am - 1:30 pm
at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center 1288 W. River Road
Tickets $25 each at icstucson.org
Benefitting the ICS Food Banks & Services
Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of the event, supported by valid photo identification, will be required of all attendees. Masks will be required at the event. Our thanks to the many potters who are creating and donating bowls for the event
Pottery, Clay and Bowl Sponsors: Jada Crellin Ahern Coordinator
Marjon Ceramics
dryheatpottery.com