Charity Events and Fundraisers

Friends of Mesquite Beetle Mill and Workshop, Crosspoint Lutheran Church, the Green Valley Amateur Radio Club (GVARC), and Woodworkers Source of Tucson AZ, teamed together to raise funds and awareness for homeless veterans in Southern Arizona through Esperanza En Escalante in Tucson AZ.  

More than 20 artisans agreed to compete with their custom crafted creations for prizes and bragging rights in the 1st ever Mesquite Beetle Live Edge Shootout.  Once competition was completed, all items were to be Auctioned to raise funds supporting Homeless Veterans' in Southern Arizona during the Christmas Holiday.

Due to many pressing issues, Team Mesquite Beetle had to bring the “Live Edge Shootout” and Auction to a close.  On a positive note, an anonymous associate from Tempe HS class 72', made a generous donation for the event. Overall $3,000 was raised in-spite of Shootout and Auction cancellation.

We do want to thank the friends of Mesquite Beetle Mill and Workshop, who did step up to help.

Mesquite Beetle Mill and Workshop, Crosspoint Lutheran, and the Green Valley Amateur Radio Club teamed together with the Bayar family to raise funds for their recent arrival to Tucson AZ from Ukraine.

Amin and Ilona Bayar and their 2 children, Sophia and Alsu arrived in Los Angeles in September 2022 after leaving the bombings and their home in Kyev, Ukraine. Our friends, Paul and Katrina Merems, initially hosting them in their home in Tucson.

The Bayar's prepared a four course Ukranian Feast for 50 Guests.  Everyone loved the wonderful dishes prepared by the Bayar's. 

Additional fundraiser activities included Auction of 11 Framed Bead Art creations by Ilona Bayar.  Additionally, Team Mesquite Beetle provided additional wood and crafted creations for auction.  Alltogether, over $6,700 was successfully raised.

The Bayar's and Team Mesquite Beetle were deeply appreciative for everyone's participation and contributions.

Friends of Mesquite Beetle Mill and Workshop and the American Legion Post 109  teamed together to raise funds for Post 109 Veteran Out Reach Programs.

Team Mesquite created over 30 Auction/raffled wood crafted items from the Mesquite Beetle Mill and Workshop alone.  Auction and raffled items included; custom wood turnings, shelves/cheese boards, hollowed vases and bowls, water color paintings, and quilts of valor. 

A big thanks goes to Jeff McIntyre for his awesome work, craftsmanship, and vision for this fundraiser.  Over $6,500 was raised to support Post 109 Veteran Programs.   Also thanks to all the Post 109 Members who pitched in to make this event not only successful but a lot of fun as well.   I also want to thank members of the Green Valley Amateur Radio Club, and the aviation and woodworking friends of Mesquite Beetle Mill and Workshop.

Mesquite Beetle Mill and Workshop, Tempe High School Class of '72, Crosspoint Lutheran, and the Green Valley Amateur Radio Club teamed together to raise funds and awareness for homeless veterans in Southern Arizona through Esperanza En Escalante in Tucson AZ. 

The mission of Esperanza En Escalante is to provide transitional and permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans and veterans' families, as well as offer social rehabilitation in order to nurture and support the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Their Website is:  https://eeeveterans.org/

 Nine Artisans donated over 60 items for auction and raffle drawings that included custom wood crafted bowls, vases, shelves/cheese boards, wood carvings, lamps/games, water color paintings, musical instruments, and quilts of valor. 

Team Mesquite Beetle deeply appreciated everyone's participation and generous contributions . The  Auction brought in over $13,000 in donations.  Again a huge thank you to members of the Tempe HS Class of  '72, The Green Valley Amateur Radio Club, and Crosspoint Lutheran Church.