News release
Over 250 community members turned out for a community dinner fundraiser hosted by the Mountain Empire Rotary Club on Monday night, Feb. 10 at Pioneer Hall. Donations were collected to help Patty Scarboro and Ted Swigert, who lost their home in Sonoita to a recent fire, as well as people affected by the southern California wildfires.
Donors feasted on a delicious pulled pork dinner and gave generously—from young children who each gave $2 for their own money to businesses that wrote large checks to a Sonoita church that collected $1,000 from its congregation. Nearly $7,000 was raised, with additional donations continuing to trickle in by mail.
A portion of the funds, approximately $4,000, has been earmarked to help Scarboro and Swigert. The balance will be donated through ShelterBox USA, which will match the funds dollar for dollar to aid with California wildfire relief.
Subsequent donations will be distributed by Mountain Empire Rotary Club. Anyone interested in helping can mail checks made payable to Patagonia-Sonoita Rotary Club Foundation and sent to P.O. Box 424, Sonoita, AZ 85637.