August 2008 - The Good Folks of the South Mountain/Laveen Village’s

By George Young

(gayoung@cox.net)

Well folks I know I am always talking about my partner and co-editor and I am hoping you are not getting tired of hearing about her. Recently a friend of mine interviewed Verna and wrote this article for the Arizona Republic, but I wanted to make sure all of our loyal readers had a chance to read it.

When Verna McClain settled in the South Mountain Village almost 40 years ago, few could have anticipated the impact her life would have on the area and its residents. This relentless volunteer, activist and advocate -- nearly 90 years old and a great-grandmother to 25 – is still going strong. The Village is the beneficiary of her love, focus and high energy. Despite her quiet and unassuming ways, Verna is just as well known for getting to the heart of any matter, for asking the right questions, and for calling the community to action.

"I am not sure you can measure her value to our Village. What would we use as a guide?” Asks George Young, an area volunteer and, with Verna, co-editor of the popular South Mountain Villager newspaper. “She touches so many people in so many ways, and in so many different walks of life. When I drive down the streets of our Village and see a business, a church, a school, or a recreation facility, I think of Verna and how she was partially responsible for their existence."

Verna publishes and co-edits the paper, now in its 14th year. She and many friends “started the paper to combat the bad news coverage the media was giving our community. Our policy has been to never print anything negative,” she explains.

She credits the late W.R. Schulz for putting her on the path to becoming a volunteer and leader. Verna and her late husband move to the South Mountain Village from the east in order to relieve her husband’s arthritis. Verna managed Schulz’s apartments for 15 years, “and he insisted that anyone who works for him must volunteer in the community,” she recalls.

She has a son in Florida, a daughter in California, and a son in Idaho. A grandson lives in Phoenix. She boasts nine grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, and, in her ninth decade, she adds, “I look forward to spending more time with my family.” Where does she get the energy? “There’s so much to do and I don’t want to just sit around,” she explains.

With so much to offer, Verna’s mark on the community is significant. In addition to starting the “good- news newspaper,” she was instrumental in establishing South Mountain Community College, 7050 S. 24th St.

“I was an original advisory board member before the college was even built,” she relates. More than a quarter-century ago, 35 Villagers attended all the Maricopa Community College District Board meetings, seeking a college. “The Governing Board finally gave in and gave us South Mountain Community College. I have seen it grow from the point of holding classes in churches, schools and trailers to our beautiful campus today.” Today, Verna is an active member of SMCC President Ken Atwater’s Community Advisory Board. On July 4, the college will host the 20th annual Fiesta of Independence swearing-in ceremony for 300 new citizens from more than 40 countries. You guessed it: Verna headed the group of citizens who asked former college President Raul Cardenas to host the event – and the volunteers have made it a day to remember ever since.

She was also instrumental is gaining a YMCA, even meeting with the architects and builders 13 years ago. “It’s a state-of-the-art YMCA, too,” she emphasizes.

Because they were so involved in organizing festivals and events throughout the community, Verna and her many friends organized a South Mountain Village Festivals Committee a few years ago. There was no way but to gather under one umbrella the annual Pioneer Luncheon, Thanksgiving Parade, Faith Day, Storytelling Night, Haunted Hayride, and far more. The lunch celebrating residents of more than 50 years “is getting bigger every year,” Verna explains, “and, last year, we had more than a hundred entries in the parade!”

Adding to her volunteerism basket, Verna now helps her fellow members of Southern Baptist Temple to gather items and fill a thousand Christmas stockings for area children.

Her boundless energy also extends to involvement with the South Mountain /Laveen Chamber of Commerce, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Women's Club and Helping Hands Grandmothers Club. In 2006, she was honored with the South Mountain /Laveen Chamber Spirit Award, and ten years earlier received a 12 Who Care Hon Kachina Award. In 1992 she won the first South Mountain Community College Appreciation Award.

“My greatest reward is the friendships I have made over the years, as so many individuals have come together to make the South Mountain Village a wonderful and special place to work and live.” Always practical, she quickly adds: “Also, I don't drive, and I want to thank all my friends who provide transportation for me to get to all the meetings I attend.” It’s easy to say yes to Verna McClain.

"Folks love and respect Verna because she has a genuine spiritual presence. Her faith is what keeps her going,” George Young says. “She has an overwhelming desire to help people and to improve not only her own life, but the community she lives in. This is clear when you know how involved and dedicated she is about the causes she supports.”

God Bless Verna McClain and God Bless America and God Bless the South Mountain/Laveen Village’s...