Rotary Club of Verrado and Verrado Rotary Foundation Present $100,000 to All Faith Community Services Food Bank

April 28, 2026 — Buckeye, Arizona

Holly Nott, President of the Rotary Club of Verrado, and Doug Bredow, President of the Verrado Rotary Foundation, presented a $100,000 donation to the All Faith Community Services (AFCS) Food Bank during the Rotary Club meeting on April 28, 2026.

Accepting the donation on behalf of AFCS was President Laura Colantoni, who shared her background with the organization and highlighted improvements made over the past three years with support from Rotary grants and other community partners.

• Updating and repairing the 1914-era building that houses AFCS
• Implementing new software and network equipment
• Purchasing a pallet jack
• Repairing and upgrading trucks and other equipment
• Digitizing paper records
• Adding a once-a-month bulk distribution
• Upgrading and implementing a new pricing model for the thrift store

“We are grateful to the Rotary Club for its support of AFCS. Without this support, many of these improvements—and our increased outreach to the community—would not have been possible,” Colantoni said.

Verrado Rotary President Doug Bredow

Laura Colantoni and President Holly

Laura Colantoni

Gathering Buckeye III - A Night in Italia

Bredow said support of the AFCS Food Bank is a core mission of the Rotary Club of Verrado and the Verrado Rotary Foundation. He noted that much of the donated funding was raised through the annual Gathering Buckeye Charitable Gala, launched in 2024. Gathering Buckeye III — An Evening in Italia — was held on April 11, 2026, and was made possible by sponsors, volunteers, and community members who donated, purchased tickets, participated in the auction, and attended.

Sponsors

• Teravalis — Title Sponsor

• Petra Contracting — Diamond Sponsor

• Republic Services — Diamond Sponsor

• Stotz Equipment — Diamond Sponsor

• Grand View Arizona — Gold Sponsor

• Waste Management — Gold Sponsor

• EPCOR — Silver Sponsor

• Johnson Wealth Management — Silver Sponsor

• Land Advisors — Silver Sponsor

• Linda & Dave Adamski — Silver Sponsor

Volunteers

Bredow also recognized Rotarians and friends of Rotary who helped make the night a success:

• Linda Adamski

• Dave Adamski

• Doug Bredow

• Claudia Bredow

• Deb Burton

• Tammy Cannon

• Don Ester

• David Faragher

• Erin Gallo

• Trish Hosking

• Mike Hosking

• Christina Hubbard

• Holly Nott

• Rob Parsons

President Holly Nott thanked Doug Bredow for organizing Gathering Buckeye III and thanked Laura Colantoni for her presentation and leadership at All Faith Community Services. For video click-→ Gathering Buckeye 2026

Special Notice Regarding the June 2, 2026 Meeting

On June 2, we will be celebrating the start of the Rotary year on July 1, 2026 and our 7th President, Deb Burton.  The meeting will be held at The Haymaker restaurant near Main Street, starting at our usual 7am time. A breakfast buffet is included in a no host format. Spouses and guests are welcome.  There will be a $20 charge for each person attending the meeting on June 2, whether you choose to eat breakfast or not.  Please plan to prepay the breakfast no later than the May 19, 2026, meeting. Please see Deb for prepayment.  Hope to see you there.

Rotary District 5495 Conference May 1-2, 2026 - Registration is Now Open

May 1 & 2 2026 - Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West, 860 Riverview Way, Mesa Arizona

Great Scott!   Join Rotarians from across District 5495 (all of Arizona north of the Gila River, plus Laughlin, NV), as we go “Back to the Future” for a weekend of service, inspiration, celebration and an unforgettable “Enchantment Under the Sea” prom.  Join Dave Faragher, Mike & Trish, Holly & Mike and other Rotarians from our club as we enjoy celebrating with our fellow Rotarians.  To register click on this link.  District Conference Registration.  There are hotel blocks at the Sheraton (closes April 10),  as well as the nearby Courtyard by Marriott (closes March 2). You can find links to the hotel pages on the Conference registration site.  

If you prefer you can attend for one day or two days and stay locally or head home at night.  (Driving distance from Verrado is 42 miles).