Sierra Vista Kiwanis to use $10,000 from sheriff's charity ride for student leadership programs

Marge Carruthers, speaking for the Sierra Vista Kiwanis Club, said the club will receive $10,000 from the Cochise County Sheriff's Charity Ride to help fund student leadership programs that serve multiple local schools.

"Thank you to the Cochise County Sheriff's Charity Bridal. We really appreciate being, accepted as a beneficiary," Carruthers said on the broadcast. She described the club's student leadership programs (SLPs), which operate after school in four schools and support five programs, as an investment in literacy, leadership and community service.

Carruthers said the SLPs cover expenses such as dues, convention attendance, T‑shirts and classroom supplies and that supporting five programs costs about $11,000 a year; the $10,000 contribution will offset much of that operating expense. The Kiwanis programs include Buena Key Club, Cass Key Club, Cass Builders Club, Smith Builders Club and Wuachukum/Kay Kids, with a Kiwanian and a faculty advisor at each school.

The club also runs literacy programs and scholarships, supports local projects such as the Kiwanis Skate and Bike Court and organizes fundraisers including Bunco night. Carruthers said people who want to support Kiwanis can buy charity‑ride tickets or donate through the Kiwanis website and social pages.

The broadcast noted the charity ride is scheduled for Nov. 1; Carruthers and the sheriff invited listeners to participate. The sheriff's office was cited as the ticket outlet for the ride; no URL with buyer instructions is provided here beyond the sheriff's office website reference given on air.

No formal county appropriation or board action tied to the $10,000 donation was stated on the program; Carruthers described Kiwanis as an independent nonprofit beneficiary of the ride.