After three years of war, there is an ongoing need for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. "Compassion on the Border” ministry at Casas Adobes UCC is once again fundraising on behalf of the people of Ukraine through the sale of note cards. The cards, from an original watercolor painted by Marjorie Miller, are available for purchase. All proceeds from the sale of these notecards will be donated to the UCC Ukraine relief fund.

We are very grateful for your continuing support. Contact Michelle Perrin for more information at mmperrin53@gmail.com.

Michelle says, "Marjorie Miller, the artist, is my amazing 102 year-old mother. She was a long-time member of Church of the Beatitudes before moving to Tucson. It brings joy to my mom, knowing that her art can be used for good!"

Recently Desert Garden UCC’s Cycles of Kindness program received 32 more bikes, 27 of which came from Rich and Sheryl Hoyt’s friend, Bryce, who purchased them at an auction in Winslow, AZ. They also provided a bike for a man without any transportation who is going through a drug and alcohol program called Life Line. Dr. Gwen Maxfield, a Commissioner for the Veteran’s and Health Services with the City of Surprise, and her husband picked up the bike for this man and presented Desert Garden with a commemorative coin from the City of Surprise recognizing our ministry through the Cycles of Kindness Program. Thanks to your support, Desert Garden is helping meet needs of people in our community.

St Mary’s Food Bank wastes none of the produce it collects. It goes first to food banks in AZ, extra goes to food banks in other states, if it is not edible for humans, it goes to livestock, and if not ok for livestock it goes to Compost. For years, Desert Garden UCC has spent 10 weeks or more gleaning for St. Mary’s with homes around Sun City West, Arizona. We are thankful to help reduce the amount of food insecurity and our neighbors in SCW are very thankful for the knowledge it isn’t being wasted.   

Desert Garden UCC's 2025 Electronic Recycling Event just concluded and it was a successful four days of collecting broken and used electronic devices and cables of all types. We collected 10,064 pounds of electronics that will not end up in a landfill. This was the fourth year for the recycling and over the course of those four years we have collected 53,685 pounds of electronics.

We are grateful to AZ StRUT who has partnered with us in this program and receives all donated items. We want to express our appreciation to Rich and Sheryl Hoyt, Doug and Patty Nordahl, Tim Anderson and Tab Bomhard for being there on days of recycling to help unload donated items. A big thanks to John Houlette for making posters and flyers for the event. All of you made this the success that it was.