Despite slow economy, Leisure World on track to increase its support with campaign, golf tourney

Although the economy is still sluggish and many nest eggs have shrunk this past year, the Leisure World adult community has stepped up its long-standing support for Mesa United Way.

Leisure World’s annual golf tournament in early December to benefit Mesa United Way grossed significantly more than last year’s despite cold, wet weather. And the community’s MUW pledge drive is on track to surpass last year’s total as well.

Golf tourney organizer Howard Rubin reported the event grossed over $8,200, a big jump from last

year’s $6,100. Meanwhile, the annual pledge campaign among Leisure World employees was successful and the general pledge campaign among community residents is expected to exceed last year’s $30,000 total, Rubin said.

Leisure World has been a vigorous supporter of Mesa United Way for more than 35 years. Rubin said

community leaders long have espoused the belief that people who are comfortably retired should be more than willing to help those who are struggling - and resident have eagerly stepped up to the challenge.

“Leisure World is such a terrific partner,” said Linda Haskell, Resource Development Director for Mesa United Way. “We can always count on them to help us meet the growing needs in the Mesa area, even at a time like this when everyone is having to count their pennies.”

A big reason the golf tournament managed to increase its gross even though a number of entrants cancelled because of bad weather is that a special effort was made to attract golfers from outside Leisure World,

Rubin said. Also, organizers were able to nearly double the number of corporate sponsors to 22.

Haskell said she hopes Leisure World’s long-standing partnership with Mesa United Way will inspire other area community associations to explore a similar relationship. Because Mesa United Way’s overhead is underwritten by grants and a group of corporate donors, every dollar raised through pledge drives and charity events goes directly to help people in need.