9 minute read
COMMUNITY
Chandler woman joins music nonprofit as fundraiser
BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer
Chandler resident Darcy Hill learned how to raise money out of necessity.
“I was actually in the performing arts, as a director, behind the scenes,” Hill said. “I went to school in Chicago, Columbia College Chicago and after that they don’t really give you a business plan. They tell you all about the art, they tell you all about how to deal with actors, but they didn’t tell you how to deal with producers, managers, executives. They didn’t tell you how to get yourself paid a living wage.”
So, if she wanted to put on her own shows, she had to secure the financial backing first. That led her on a path that became her career.
“I can pay my rent with this. This is a day job I can do,” she realized.
Now she raises money for Rosie’s House, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that provides free music lessons to youth. It takes a lot of money for a worthwhile cause to do good in the community.
It’s Hill’s job to make sure Rosie’s House has the funds.
Rosie Schurz saw a need in her community in 1996.
“Lots of kids with nothing to do after school, lots of crime,” Hill said. “She had left Germany after the war, and had to leave her instrument behind. She really felt like that was a missed opportunity in her life. So, she wanted to make sure that was available to the kids in her neighborhood.”
Schurz was 7 when her family left Germany after the war and she had just started taking violin lessons at the time. She and her husband bought a house in Central Phoenix and renovated it. Then she started giving saxophone lessons out of a bedroom in that home. They quickly outgrew that space and soon started renting a room at a local church.
Rosie’s House moved into their new facility about a year ago on 9th Street and Jefferson in Downtown Phoenix. Hill said they raised about $5.5 million of a $6.5 million goal to move into that building. Most of the renovations to their new space are complete. The rest of the money that is raised will go to furniture and signage. “This is our first permanent facility,” Hill said.
The facility includes a digital music lab and a recording studio.
She said her main goal now is to get some sustainable funds so Rosie’s House can expand for the long term.
There are currently a little more than 500 students taking classes at Rosie’s House and could only accommodate about 350 students before moving into the new space. That meant turning down half the students who applied, Hill said.
Now, she said, the new space should be able to house about 1,000 students once they finish the fundraising.
Chandler resident Darcy Hill has joined Rosie’s House, a non-profit in downtown Phoenix that provides music education to low-income students.
(David Minton/Staff Photographer) seeROSIES page 28
ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF
AChandler man has been elected to the Toastmasters International Board of Directors.
Michael J. Holian will be a “working ambassador” for Toastmasters International, a 98-year-old nonprofit that aims to “empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, it boasts a membership of more than 300,000 in over 15,800 clubs in 149 countries.
“Mr. Holian’s journey through levels of Toastmasters leadership and his career advancement are a testament to the benefits of the personal and professional growth Toastmasters experience,” said Nancy Duckett, District 3 Toastmasters spokeswoman, saying he “generously gives back, speaking on the topic of leadership building to local audiences and volunteering with local organizations through his employer
Holian will be discussing his role as an international director in an upcoming Radio X - Phoenix Business Radio interview at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, with Karen Nowicki, and will appear at the District 3 Toastmasters Arizona Conference on May 20-21 at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort in Maricopa. He will present a keynote on May 20 and moderate a panel of leaders on May 21.
As with most Toastmasters, Holian’s relationship with the nonprofit began at the club level as a member and eventually he took on club officer leadership roles.
“Practicing and developing strong communication and leadership skills brought him to the highest level within the District 3 organization when he was elected District Director 2018-2019,” Duckdett said, calling him a “standout” in the way he “he supports fellow Toastmasters, volunteering to lead clubs as an area and division director, helping to support district activities such as speech contests while sharing his insights on leadership.” Holian said he has benefitted in many ways from his membership. “My Toastmasters experience has also expanded my understanding of other people and cultures, providing opportunities for friendships and increasing my understanding of diverse experiences and perspectives,” he said.
As an international director, Holidan will work to develop and support the policies and procedures that guide
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Born in Vegreville, Alberta, Canada, to Conrad and Margaretta Giebelhaus, Gwen, one of five children, grew up on the farm, where her love of horses began early. She headed to Tucson, AZ with her parents and daughter, Valerie (1954), for the winter of 1955 and never left. There she met and married Orville Briel and they had two children, Daryl Robert "Bob" (1956) and Melanie (1958). In 1973, Orville and Gwen divorced. She married Vern Jones in 1975 and moved to Cochise, AZ in 1977. She worked at the Arizona Electric Power Coop Plant for 17 years and continued to help out when needed for many years after retiring. Gwen was a woman ahead of her time, independent, persistent, maybe just a little stubborn. She got her pilot's license when she was 55 and even owned her own plane! She fearlessly embraced the Tech-Age and emailed often. On January 6, 2022, Gwen passed away, eager to meet her Lord, just weeks before her 91st birthday. She is survived by her three children, Valerie, Bob, and Melanie; her two stepchildren, Royce and Rhyna; her grandchildren, Christina, Desiree and Jared, Leah and Dallas; step-grandchildren Jayce, and Robyn, Jet, and Skylar; 7 great-grandchildren and 3 step-greatgrandchildren. Gwen will be remembered for her love of horses, her sweet tooth and apricot jam, her determination and faith. She leaves a legacy of persistence and love for God.
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Hill said the students come from all over Maricopa County, but a majority of them are in South Phoenix. She said some students come from the East Valley, although parents usually have to drive them back and forth.
Only children in families considered low income by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are accepted.
One of the reasons there is a waiting list to get into Rosie’s House is because it has been successful helping the students it works with to graduate from high school.
“We have a college pathway program,” Hill said. “So, we not only are giving kids a high-quality music education, but 97% of our students graduate from high school and go on to college. The rate of their peers is like 55%. We’re really proud of that.”
Students also need to commit to practicing and attending lessons. One of their parents also needs to commit to work a few hours. There is also an audition process during the application process.
Rosie’s House will begin producing shows at its new location in April. It normally puts on about four to five shows a year.
Another thing Rosie’s House does is provide meals to the students through a partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank.
“I think that’s an important part of education, is making sure they’re fed,” Hill said. “They don’t necessarily know where their next meal is coming from, but they know they can get it at Rosie’s House.”
Rosie’s House will hold a big fundraising gala May 7. Information on tickets and other ways to help is at rosieshouse. org.
TOAST from page 26
Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission,
Holian has been a member since 1992 and has received the designation of Distinguished Toastmaster, the highest level of educational achievement in the organization.
He is a member of Leader’s Plus Toastmasters in Mesa and AZ Motormouths Toastmasters, a club at his workplace.
Holian is an information technology specialist for CSAA Insurance Group for the past eight years. He is the product owner and administrator for a suite of software collaboration and developmental tools. He is the chair of the governance board, responsible for identifying best practices, reviewing proposed changes, and communicating the product roadmap. He earned a certification in computer programming from Chubb Institute of Computer Technology.
He also is a community impact champion for his employer and coordinates volunteer activities for fellow employees and volunteers for the Special Olympics, a local foodbank, and other organizations through his employer.
In Chandler, there are approximately 13 clubs. Nine are community clubs and open for anyone to join, such as East Valley Echoes, Ocotillo Breakfast Club, Valued Voices, and TALKotillo. These clubs different times, from early morning to the noon hour and evenings, offering members club meetings that fit their needs and busy schedules.
Information: aztoastmasters.org or toastmasters.org.
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