Pima Community Kindness Project

11/28/2021

With sad hearts, we share the news of Jo-Ann Draper’s passing. She was the founder and co-chair of the Pima Community Kindness Project. Her vision was to inspire our little Town of Pima to become one of the exceptional communities highlighted in Reader’s Digest. While her dream was not realized in her lifetime, I hope we will each be kinder to those around us and do an act of service in her honor. Jo-Ann will be greatly missed by her friends and family. Thank you, Jo-Ann, for making Pima a kinder community. We love you! ❤️

07/28/2021

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07/05/2021

Meetings for the Pima community kindness project have been cancelled for July and August. We will resume in September. Enjoy your summer!

07/01/2021

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06/30/2021

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06/30/2021

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06/27/2021

People of Pima
Russell and Jonnet Woods

Russell and Jonnet are life-long residents of the Gila Valley. Jonnet was born and raised in Pima. She met Russell shortly after his family moved next door to her Grandma and Grandpa Webster in Central when he was 6 or 7 years old. They played together often as they were growing up. When asked if they were childhood sweethearts, Jonnet said, “No, we didn’t date until after Russell’s mission.” Their first date was on Christmas Eve in 1975 and they were married three months later. They have 5 children, 4 sons and 1 daughter, and 7 grandchildren.

Jonnet loved growing up in Pima. She loved the freedom to play outside, ride bikes or horses all day until dark. Jonnet has 4 siblings. Russell is the oldest of 18 kids.

Russell retired this year after working at Glenbar Gin for 37 years. Jonnet ran an in-home daycare for over 30 years and recently retired the end of May. Her home has been a loving, safe, well-structured, fun place, blessing the lives of hundreds of children. Jonnet feels one of her talents is the ability to love other people’s kids. It is a gift she has for sure!

Serving the Pima community has been a big part of their life. Russell served on the fire department for over 20 years, five as the Fire Chief, coached little league for 7 years, was a Scout Master for 25 + years, and served on the town council for eight years, two as Mayor. Jonnet served on the Pima School District Board for 8 years. Together they have enjoyed volunteering and cooking for the fund-raising events for the Eastern Arizona Museum. When asked what she loves about living in Pima, Jonnet quickly responded, "the people!"

Now as they are beginning their retirement, they look forward to camping a lot! Both on Mt. Graham and at Big Lake in Northern AZ.

Jonnet describes Russell as “hard-working, a teaser, and friendly.” Russell’s three words to describe Jonnet are “caring, intelligent, and active.”

We are so blessed to have this amazing couple living among us. They could be considered “Pima Royalty!”

(Everyone is invited to their retirement party tonight , Sunday, June27th from 4-6 at Safford Taylor Freeze).

06/21/2021

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Saturday morning July 3rd @ 6:30. Come join us for breakfast at $3 a plate. You can't find breakfast any cheaper than that and the proceeds benefit Eastern Arizona Museum and Historical Society. After you eat, swing by the museum to see what was done during our closure! New AC will make that a lot more enjoyable too!

06/17/2021

06/13/2021

People of Pima
Kerma Matthews

Kerma Barlow Matthews grew up in a small town in Idaho. She and her husband, Harold, met in Washington DC while he was in the Army and she was a legal secretary. After they married, they returned to Arizona. They lived in Phoenix and Tucson before making Pima their permanent home in 1977. They have 8 children, 30 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Kerma loves “seeing her kids, grandkids and greats grow and mature.”

She has loved watching Pima change and grow. She loves the small-town, friendly-people atmosphere. Kerma enjoys watching documentaries on TV, reading and quilting. Many of her quilts have been shown during Pima’s Heritage Day Quilt Show. She does an excellent job!

Kerma prides herself in saying, “When I start to do something, I try to carry it through to the end.” Three words that describe Kerma are: honest, hardworking and friendly. When asked what she would tell herself if she could go back in time, she replied, “I would pay more attention to my family and friends and take the good advice they gave me.”

We are thankful Kerma is a member of our community!

06/11/2021

Jonnet Woods has cared for children in her home daycare over 3 decades. Her husband, Russell, worked at Glenbar gin for almost as long. Everyone is welcome to celebrate their retirement. Both are long-time residents of Pima!