Desert Messenger

32 www.DesertMessenger.com October 18, 2023 SPECIAL SECTION �������������������� Serving The Communities Of Quartzsite, Ehrenberg, Brenda & Bouse �������������������� ������������������� Troop benefi t big success Rocks on Parade Where are the Boulder Art Pieces now? By Joann Winer Operation Hero Comfort held a benefi t to raise money to send more packages to the troops in harm's way this past Saturday at Town Hall. The event included a silent auction of some great items as well as a 50/50 drawing. Thanks to all the donated items and those who bought tickets for the draw- ing. Operation Hero Comfort ended up with over $700 for this event. The monies raised will help with the postage to send packages to the ad- opted units that are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each package sent costs over $12. Since Operation Hero Comfort was formed in 3006, they have sent over 1100 packages, with a value of over $45,000. Postage to get the packages to the troops has cost over $10,600. Also helping with the event, the members of Thrivant for Lutherans, a group who helps non-profits with matching funds offered to donate $500 to use to buy more items for the pack- ages. Operation Hero Comfort would like to thank them for all their help and their contribution. Several musicians came to play some music while the crowd walked around the tables putting their bids on the items they wanted, and they all did a great job. A special thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this event such a big success. A special thanks goes to Alex Taft and Town Hall for opening Town Hall for the benefi t. Of course, the benefi t would not have been pos- sible if not for all the businesses and individuals who donated items for the auction. Thank you for all the items collected, and thank you to everyone who came out to show your support for the troops! Christmas cards for the troops QUARTZSITE- Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite (NPNQ) sponsored "Rockin' in Quartzsite! A Celebration of the Arts" with an Artist Reception Gala Sneak Preview event Saturday evening, Nov. 14, 2009. Over two hundred people fi lled the "Rock Motel" where artists have been painting boulders over the past few weeks. Members of PNQ worked many days transforming one of Kym Scott's warehouses (of Tyson Wells Showgrounds) into the "Rock Motel", providing Quartzsite with a one-of-a-kind Art Show. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, the Boulder Art Pieces were delivered to their sponsor's locations around town. The trip through town drew much attention as the brightly colored boulders shined in the bright sun. The Boulder Art Pieces will be on display throught the season in a Public Art Event. On March 6, 2010 the public will be able to bid on the boulders at the "Rock Auction". The Boulder Art Pieces were painted by 16 artists: Frankie Adams "Desert Jewels", Penai (PJ) Bettman "From my Window", Carol Ann Brainerd "Hum- phrey, the Tortoise", Oney Budge "In the Cactus Garden", Nancy Burrows "Hidden Places", Donna Dole, MaryJo Gilder "Maiden's Way", Mark Gold- berg "Dome Rock", Linda Gray "Good to the Last Drop", Jesse Ray Koontz "Evening Splender", Sonja Stevens Mernard "Never Again", Betty Sue Michel "Space to Breathe", Tina Moore "Maybe...", Abigail Parkhurst "Snort", Annette Silverthorn "Night Life", Rita Wilson "Desert Friends". A Community Painting Boulder "Sa- guaro Stand" raised funds for PNQ's new project, Quartzsite Children's Music Program. Tyson Wells Showgrounds donated the use of the warehouse for over three weeks for this project. PNQ sends much gratitude to Kym Scott who gives so much to this community. "We couldn't have done it without Kym's support", said PNQ's Treasurer, Angie Masales. "There are so many people to thank", Masales continued, "from the artists to our sponsors, to the volunteers, to Charlie at Tyson Wells for all his hard work, to the members of the board and the community at large. This was a huge undertaking, and we couldn't have done it without them!" Starr BearCat, President of PNQ, said, "The support of this community went beyond my expectations." The Boulder Art Pieces are now located at the following sponsor's: Tyson Wells Showgrounds Mountain Quail Café Hardies Beads & Jewelry Horizon Community Bank La Casa Del Rancho Quartzsite General Store K & B Tools Desert Messenger Main St. Laundromat Silly Al's Pizza Callison Construction Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite has also introduced new bumper stickers for the town, with the saying, "Quartz- site Rocks!" They will soon be avail- able for purchase at various locations around town. For more information visit www. proudneighbors.com.

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