Your Community Engagement Newsletter for October 2023

Volunteer at the Dia de los Muertos Festival

Volunteer tasks include assisting with set-up and clean-up, greeting and directing the public, line monitoring, assisting with volunteer hospitality, providing crowd control, answering questions and assisting with artist interactives. Register to join the fun, earn a swag bag and give back to the community! Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22. Shifts are available between 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM. *Volunteers must be 16 years old or older. This opportunity qualifies for service-learning hours. 

Volunteer Reading Tutors Needed

Are you or someone you know looking for a way to make a difference in your community? AARP Experience Corps Mesa provides meaningful volunteer experience for adults over 50 by training them to be literacy tutors in Mesa Public Schools. With programs across the country, Experience Corps is a proven “triple win” that benefits students, schools, and volunteers. With just a few hours a week, volunteers can make a life-long difference in the life of students. No special skills necessary—sign up for an information session today.

Volunteers at the 21st Annual Breakfast with Santa

Join Mesa Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities (and Santa!) for breakfast and a snowball fight on Saturday, December 9. French toast sticks, bacon, orange juice and hot chocolate will be served. All children in attendance will be given a Christmas themed craft and goody bag. Both families and volunteers will have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa, a 4X6 print is included. Volunteers are needed to help sit, plate, serve, and monitor both the craft station and snowball fight.

Celebrate Mesa

Don't miss our signature, FREE, outdoor carnival, Celebrate Mesa, on Saturday, October 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Red Mountain Soccer Complex (905 N Sunvalley Blvd, Mesa, AZ 85207.) This year’s lineup includes inflatables, large carnival rides, games, a petting zoo, two stages, community vendors, and a helicopter landing. Check out details and bring your family.

Mesa Domestic Violence Awareness Night

Join us for a powerful evening dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence. Mesa is bringing together residents, survivors, advocates, community organizers, and leaders to discuss the impact of domestic violence on our community and what we can do to create change.

Free domestic violence information and resources will be provided, and advocates will be available to provide assistance and answer questions. Thursday, October 19, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Plaza @ Mesa City Center (56 E Main St.)

Councilmember Freeman’s annual Community BBQ

Enjoy free BBQ and free access to the Mesa Historical Museum on Wednesday, October 18 at 5:30 p.m. at 2345 N. Horne, Mesa, AZ 85203. Rain or shine. You will have the chance to talk with representatives of the museum about their exhibits and programs.

East Valley Veterans Parade

The 2023 East Valley Veterans Parade will take place Saturday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Center Street and First Street in downtown Mesa. The parade provides an opportunity for the community to gather in honoring, thanking and celebrating local Veterans, active Military, and their families. This year’s theme is “Vietnam Valor” in recognition of the 50 years that have passed since the conclusion of the war in Vietnam. More details are available at evvp.org.

Plant Wildflower Seeds Now for Bursts of Spring Color

If you want to have a landscape full of beautiful wildflowers in the spring, you’ll need to plant the seeds now through mid-November.

The seeds germinate in the fall and winter, growing slowly through December and January. With adequate seasonal rain, you won’t need to water. Otherwise, water the area 2-3 times per week to germinate, then only once every 3-4 weeks.

Choose quality locally grown or collected seed that includes a variety of flowers such as Mexican Gold Poppies, Arizona Lupines and Desert Bluebells. Mix about one teaspoon with two or more cups of soil or organic mulch then scatter and lightly rake into place. Find out more about buying and growing wildflower seeds.

Limited Income Senior Rate Program

This residential utility assistance program offers a 30% discount on the Water Service Rate, one of the water rate components on a customer’s bill. For example, on a 3/4" water service (most common size for residences), the discount reduces the fixed, monthly charge from $29.23 per month to $20.46 per month. This is an $8.77 savings per month! This program does not change any other water rate component.

This program is for permanent, full-time residents at the service address who are 60 years of age or older. Review other qualification criteria before applying.

Mesa K-Ready

Mesa K-Ready is a FREE program which uses a combination of academic lessons, fun learning activities and family support to help Mesa parents and their 3- and 4-year-olds prepare for kindergarten. With locations in East and West Mesa, parents and children attend class together once per week. Check your eligibility at www.mpsaz.org/mkr or call 480-472-1092.Please note this is not a drop off program.

Fall is in the air.  Embrace the cozy vibes of pumpkin spice and colorful leaves rustling around. But remember, safety first! 

No matter the season, if you ever detect a rotten egg odor, see any unusual changes to vegetation, or hear an unusual blowing or hissing sound from a natural gas pipeline, leave immediately, and call 911 and our gas emergency hotline at 480-644-4277.

Knowing how to recognize and respond to a gas leak is crucial - you can make a difference in keeping your loved ones safe. Visit our webpage for more information and home safety tips.

The heat is finally giving us a break to enjoy the outdoors. We invite you to take this opportunity to build community with your neighbors and experience the many events happening in the City, including the Dia de los Muertos Festival, Mesa International Film Festival and aircraft fun at Falcon Field Airport.