Snowbirds bring annual boost to region
Charlotte Confer stays busy as the volunteer coordinator at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West, as organizing a corps of volunteers to support a large medical facility can be challenging.
Her job gets a little easier this time of year, however, because snowbirds, who make up 20 percent of her volunteer staff, are making their return migration.
When the snowbirds — people who live in Arizona in the winter and cooler locales in the summer — leave, she needs to fill in the gaps and get creative with scheduling.
“And then you also have regular local volunteers who are taking vacations during those times. Some locals might be gone for a month at a time, so you’re filling many different shifts with many different people,” she said.
West Valley residents are well aware of the increase in traffic when the snowbirds return, but many cities and organizations rely on them as part of the volunteer force, as well as a source of revenue for some communities.
Vicki Gerber, senior manager of volunteer resources at Banner Boswell in Sun City, said active adults are very dedicated, working at least once or twice a week and who often have key assignments working directly with patients and the public, such as at the nursing unit or the information desk.
“They are not casual volunteers,” Gerber said. “We’re delighted when they get back, and we really do feel it when they leave.”
One way organizations are able mitigate the loss of the snowbirds is through student and adult volunteers during the summer.
Peoria officials say although they see a slight uptick in volunteerism this time of year, an overall well-balanced age demographic in the population helps to meet the need year-round.
They do see a noticeable increase in traffic at some facilities, however.
Jackie Stanley, supervisor at Rio Vista Recreation Center, said seniors have been a big driver in the advent of Peoria’s pickleball program. Since it debut- ed in August 2013, the program has grown from two courts every Tuesday and Thursday to as many as four courts. Friday night games have been added for younger adults.
The city started with eight to 10 players each day and now has up to 25 depending on the time of year, she said.
“Numbers can be impacted by time of year, first in summer when it’s too hot for some to play outdoors and then when snowbirds come in early winter,” she said.
While 17.3 percent of Peoria’s population is 60 years old or older, the demographic is 23.6 percent in Surprise, according to the 2010 U.S. census.
In Surprise, revenues are higher from October to May, compared with the rest of the year.
Vice Mayor Skip Hall attributes much of this to the snowbirds. Surprise definitely feels the absence of that demographic while they are away, he said.
The city is close to the retirement communities of Sun City and Sun City West and home to Sun City Grand. The three communities have a combined population of about 85,000 adults.
Snowbirds have a tremendous effect on Surprise’s economy, dining out and shopping at the city’s retailers, Hall said.
“We welcome them with open arms when they return,” Hall said.
Both their annual return to the Valley and their departure in the spring has an effect on public safety, according to Sgt. Mike Donovan, a spokesman for the Sur-