Sedona, AZ – Again in 2026, members of the Rotary Club of Sedona Village hosted a Veterans Picnic at the Veterans Medical Center in Prescott, Arizona. Village Rotarians presented a check for $15,000 to Julie James, Chief of the Center for Development & Civic Engagement. This financial donation supports the veteran patients discretionary fund. It was raised by three raffles held in front of Clark’s Market in the Village, donations from Clark’s Market, and generous donations from Villagers during 2025..
The picnic, made possible by a generous gift from Village residents Paul and Mara Majane,
welcomed over 100 veteran hospital residents to an outdoor pavilion on the hospital grounds.
Twenty Village Rotary Club members volunteered to grill hamburgers and hot dogs, served plates of potato salad, potato chips and cookies, creating a warm and festive event.
“Service to our community, local, national, and international, is what Rotary is all about,”
observed Rob Schaefer, Veterans Project leader. “The camaraderie created, by working together
doing good for others, energizes our members and makes the Club incredibly active.”
The annual Village Veterans Raffles, started nearly 20 years ago by WWII veteran Army First Lieutenant John Cornelius, has now raised over $365,000 in support of the veterans hospital. Launched to provide daily essentials and activities not covered by the V A, the fundraiser was brought under the Village Rotary umbrella in 2020.“This is one of the most impactful projects we do as a club,” said Schaefer. “It’s about honoring our veterans not just in words, but through action and ongoing support.”
For more information about the Rotary Club of Sedona Village, its veterans initiatives, and
community service, visit sedonavillagerotary.org.