SEPTEMBER 2023 46 Page 43 The Arcadia Book Club’s latest selection, plus some quality reading material for all ages. Join the Club’s fun by telling us what you’re reading. Page 58 The first year was such a success, organizers are planning a second annual Arcadia Homecoming Parade for this year. Page 28 Educators from around Arcadia attend the Sally Ride Science Academy this summer and come away with tips to motivate science and math students. September 2012 Vol. 20 No. 6 AWARD WINNING NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS SINCE 1993 ARCADIADAILY.COM / ARCADIAPIX.COM WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION... The 2nd annual “Summer Vacation and Travel” photo contest theme yielded some excellent submissions from Arcadians who travelled all over the world this summer. With so many spectacular photos, we decided to award prizes to all entrants! See more entries on page 21. ARCADIANEWSARCHIVES.COM This September 2012 cover was for our second annual “Summer Vacation Photos” edition. We received submissions from neighbors who traveled all over the world. This confirmed the idea and we made it an annual feature. By Mark Hays Founded just under a decade ago, MOMNation is a group of women that provide a special place – and mission – for mothers. The organization’s Phoenix chapter began as a Facebook group started by Katie Halle Lambert, who used it to connect with other local moms. It grew quickly, and now the group has over 10,500 Phoenix members – and more than 18,000 members across the country. “MOMNation is a local social networking group for moms that want to connect for play dates, get- togethers, personal and business growth, wants and needs, questions… it’s a forum for moms to share information,” Lambert said. Aside from providing support and a community space to its members, MOMNation has also been involved in philanthropic work for years. The organization has a charity committee established by the members that give back to the community by volunteering, donating, or bringing awareness to local charities that they are passionate about, and one of those passions includes the annual backpack collection, held in July/August. This year, MOMNation donated 40 fully equipped backpacks to families across the Valley. The backpacks contained erasers, a pencil sharpener, notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, a binder and a pencil pouch. “To be able to pay it forward a little bit, and to give another woman a hand up when you know what she’s going through as a mom, is a great feeling,” Lambert said. “What’s even better is knowing that it impacts a child and, in turn, that child’s mom. That’s the icing on the cake.” And the reaction from recipients was equally as positive. Lambert described the people they helped as “grateful, humble, happy, and excited.” “We love being part of such an incredible group of women who genuinely care about their community,” member Lydia Palomino said. “We plan to continue doing what we do for moms and helping out,” Lambert said. “The more we work together, the more we can help others and truly feel like we belong.” In the future MOMNation will host a Thanksgiving drive and continue volunteering at Feed My Starving Children in Mesa. They will also hold an Adopt a Family drive for five families in the community during Christmas, where members come together to provide a full dinner and gifts for families in need. momnationusa.com MOMNation hosts annual backpack drive Katie Halle Lambert with Rydder, Kanyon and Jamie after receiving their new school backpacks. PHOTO: KATIE HALLE LAMBERT