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Gilbert council honors Giving Machine donors, designates city a JustServe City and recognizes veterans and water professionals
Summary
Council recognized the Light the World Giving Machine donations to local nonprofits, declared Volunteer Month and JustServe designation, presented Heart of Service awards to community volunteers, and proclaimed Water Professionals Appreciation Week and Water Wise Gilbert successes.
Gilbert — At its April 21 meeting the Gilbert Town Council recognized a year of volunteerism and nonprofit partnerships, presenting checks and awards tied to the Light the World Giving Machine and marking Volunteer Month and JustServe City designation.
Mayor Scott Anderson and staff highlighted Giving Machine activity that brought roughly 30,000 visitors downtown during November–December 2025 and about 43,000 donated items to Gilbert that year. The council presented donation checks to five East Valley nonprofits: Positive Paths, Paz de Cristo Community Center, One Small Step, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and Lauren's Institute for Education.
The council proclaimed Volunteer Month, accepted a JustServe City designation intended to connect residents to local service opportunities, and presented Heart of Service awards to several volunteers and JustServe specialists, including Melanie Dykstra, Redemption Gilbert's Shawn Warren and team members, Gwen Fulmer and Lisa Bailey.
Jeremiah Churchill, water resources conservation coordinator, presented the Water Wise Gilbert landscape water-budget program and noted the program saved more than 374 million gallons since inception and that 145 organizations attained Water Wise status in 2025. The council also proclaimed April 26–May 1 as Gilbert Water Professionals Appreciation Week.
Trinity Donovan, the newly announced director of the Gilbert Advocacy Center, addressed the council and said the center will focus on coordinated, survivor-centered services. In her remarks she said, "team Gilbert, you already ate and left no crumbs," a phrase used to thank staff and partners and to express confidence in the existing work.
The recognitions were ceremonial and informational; no formal policy actions were taken during these presentations. The council thanked volunteers, nonprofit leaders and staff for their service and posed for photographs.
