Maricopa Community Members of the Quarter

Citizens Inspiring us to do more!

Peggy Chapados

When did you move to Maricopa and why?

I moved from Gilbert, AZ to Maricopa in 2006 when my husband and I were looking for the opportunity to build a new single-story home with lots of options in a great neighborhood. We found that in The Villages.

What Maricopa projects have you volunteered for? Which one was, or is most meaningful to you?

I’ve been an active member of the community since moving here. I’ve helped Maricopa Seniors, Maricopa Historical Society, and Maricopa Community Foundation to incorporate, served as an officer on my HOA board, served on multiple City of Maricopa committees, and am a director on several nonprofit boards and a member of several social groups.

To me, the most meaningful is serving as President and Treasurer of Maricopa Seniors, Inc. This is the nonprofit that offers the home lock box program and helped create the Senior Info/Expo, both of which are still going strong!

We have installed over 500 lock boxes throughout Maricopa. We’ve got a very caring board as well as a wonderful partnership with Maricopa Fire/Medical, Fire Corps, CERT, and the Professional Firefighters of Maricopa Local 4561.

Silvia Lara Marquez

When did you move to Maricopa and why?

My family and I moved to Maricopa on April 30, 2021.

Our journey began when we decided to uproot our family and follow the dream of owning our own financial future. We have been seeking opportunities to build generational wealth and financial freedom, one that would allow us to have more God time, family time, and time to volunteer in our community.

What Maricopa projects have you volunteered for? Which one was, or is most meaningful to you?

The most meaningful and most recent event that I have volunteered for was our Maricopa Chamber of Commerce Awards Night on April 29, 2023, in which I served as the Events Chair. This event has been at the head of my to do list for the past year and more in depth in the last two months. The journey of balancing family, work, and volunteerism is not easy. It has been tough at times and frustrating as any task may be. However, serving together with my husband Christian Marquez at the Maricopa Pantry, we found that it has built a deeper connection amongst our relationship and our kids get to see it and learn from it as well.

How do you balance family, work and volunteerism?

The learning curves have taught us to grow and to always put GOD first and serve with joy, then everything will fall into place. We are not perfect; however, my family has grown from this experience, and we trust that "All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13.