Debby Bowen Honored as SaddleBrooke Community Outreach Receptionist of the Year

At SaddleBrooke Community Outreach’s (SBCO) annual meeting, Debby Bowen was recognized as its Receptionist of the Year for 2023 to 2024 on Monday, April 8. This honor is significant for an all-volunteer organization that relies upon hundreds of volunteers to implement its programs to feed, clothe, enrich and educate youngsters living in the Copper Corridor. Debby was recognized by a group of 31 outstanding volunteers who work in the SBCO office.

Prior to moving to SaddleBrooke Ranch from Lynnwood, Washington in 2020, Debby and her husband, Tim, owned a cruise travel agency. She had worked for the company as a receptionist and when the owner wanted to sell, she and Tim decided to purchase the business. After running the business for 25 years, they were ready to retire. Their search for a warmer place to live led them to the area north of Tucson. Former clients had settled in Marana and while that wasn’t a fit for them, the Ranch was.

Debby learned about SBCO at an Activity Fair held at the Ranch and began volunteering later in 2020. Working as a receptionist in the SBCO office was a natural fit, based on her work with the travel agency, as well as her prior work in an assessor’s office and other clerical positions. In addition to serving as a receptionist, Debby has helped with the SBCO Thanksgiving baskets program and the annual Food Drive. In fact, the Bowen’s garage has served as the assembly site for Thanksgiving baskets delivered by Ranch residents to families in the San Manuel/Mammoth Unified School District.

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Debby says, “I find it very gratifying to know that I can help in some small way and seeing the volunteers that come and go, so graciously doing whatever they can to make SBCO work for the kids. I enjoy working with all the other receptionists and being part of something so important.”

To those thinking about volunteering for SBCO, she would advise, “Volunteering is a great opportunity to help in any capacity, knowing that children in the 100-mile service area are going to smile and feel blessed when they get that new outfit for school, a warm coat in the winter, new shoes they’ve never had before, food in their tummies, and scholarships that will help them with their college expenses. The needs are never ending and constantly growing. It requires many volunteers and we need YOU!”