The communities of the Copper Corridor have not been exempt from the ravages and changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has created. Schools have closed, businesses shuttered, work routines changed. For Superior there have been many acts of kindness and generosity, quick changes for events and activities to keep residents engaged. Superior always finds a way to rally fast and help those in need.
“Our Superior residents and business leaders have been doing a great job at physical distancing and following the stay at home orders. This has helped us avoid a surge of virus infections in Superior,” said Mayor Mila Besich. “Our best quality of Superior is that everyone helps to make the best of things to support our community.” She then shared some of the many great examples of kindness and generosity:
Volunteers, Josie Campos, Tina Gutierrez, JoAnn Besich, Councilmember Olga Lopez, Ernie Villegas and Barbara Villegas rallied together quickly to cut and sew face masks for first responders, senior citizens, food bank volunteers, school and town employees. More continue to be made for the community.
Vice Mayor Michael Alonzo and Councilmember Bruce Armitage volunteered at the Save Money Market to help with the toilet paper and paper towel distribution. Councilmember Olga Lopez has been serving on the countywide Vulnerable populations committee to ensure that resident of Superior and the Copper Corridor can acmes the services they need.
Teachers, staff and administrators at the Superior Unified School District have found ways to connect with students and ensuring students have a healthy meals each day. With the help of Regenerating Sonora and their fundraising, students in Superior will now receive meals for seven days.
Legends of Superior Trails Inc. helped with posting signs at the Arizona Trail National Scenic Trail Picket Post Trail Head, they purchased signs and installed them to help reinforce physical distancing while enjoying the trails. Flagline Trails came out and volunteered for a day to help with some additional improvements to the trail.
The Superior Optimist Club hosted the virtual egg hunt. They purchased over $500 in gift cards and services with local businesses to host the event as way to help. They are also working directly with the school district on a few ways to recognize the the class of 2020.
The VFW hosted its annual Easter event in a drive-up fashion, with the support of the Superior Police and Fire Department.
The Superior Food Bank has revamped its operations to do drive up deliveries. This has taken the work of many volunteers and the help of the Arizona National Guard, who are are deployed to assist the food banks in Arizona. Volunteers from the Pinal County Health department were helped by employees from Resolution Copper, Augie Hing, Delores Hatfield and Darin Lewis in loading boxes of food for Superior’s senior citizens.
The Superior Chamber donated a supply of toilet paper to make sure that Senior Citizens on the meal program received a few extra rolls of the hard to find, coveted toilet paper. Their leadership has been working to help connect local businesses to the resources available for small businesses.
The Copper Communities Food Hub under the leadership of Mary Karlin switched up its farmers market model to a drive up delivery program, expanding the access to fresh local produce.
The Superior Sun gathered just a few examples from throughout the community on kindness that has been shared. If you know of any special acts of kindness, please share them with us via email at cbnsun@minersunbasin.com or message us through Facebook @Copperarea.
In times of crisis, you can always count on the National Guard. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. The National Guard in Arizona has been tasked with helping food banks around the state to help distribute food to those in need. Last week, the Superior Food Bank was in distribution and the National Guard sent 18 servicemen and women to help make up the food boxes and distribute them. All 18 Guards were deployed from 52nd and McDowell in Phoenix (Papago). On Monday, the volunteers and Guards made more than 300 food boxes in anticipation of higher than normal numbers. Then later in the week distribution began with a “drive-up” distribution to help maintain social distancing. The Guard volunteers were: SPC Alexandra Baker, PFC Christopher Lopez, SPC Selena Hernandez, PV2 Zachary Corradino, SGT Kody Barberena, SPC Robert Vasquez, SPC Ryan Furnas, SGT Ethan Clasby, SPC Brenda Zevack, SPC Oscar Cervantes, SGT Aaron Woodruff, SPC Rivey Miller, PFC Mark Burgess, PFC Mario Gastelum, and their supervisors. Also assisting with the distribution were the Superior Police Chief, Frank Alanis, and deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.