Rising Stars: Meet Ethel Luzario

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ethel Luzario. 

Hi Ethel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was raised and born in the Philippines. I was in my mid-20s when I left and joined the United Nations Development Programme in New York in 1981. 

Early in 1996, I felt in my heart that I was ready to make a change. I left my job and moved my family to Phoenix in late 1996. Wanting to experience spending more time with my nine-year-old son back then, I chose to become a realtor. 

Becoming a realtor gave me the opportunity to meet people and be involved in the community. 

In 2009, I was asked by Lon Taylor, a real estate client, to help rescue the over 30 million pounds of produce that goes wasted every year due to imperfection, lack of demand, and other reasons. In November of 2010, we have introduced The 3000 Club with two flagship projects: 1) the Market On the Move (MOM), where for a donation of $10, one can get up to 60 lbs. of fresh fruits and vegetables that they can share with other families in need and 2) Medical Reclamation, where surplus of medical equipment and supplies are donated, packaged and shipped to developing countries. I brought in my son, Nicco Punzalan and the three of us have started the organization’s operation. 

A couple of years after that, The 3000 Club in Tucson was established for the same purpose of reaching more families. This location is headed by Pam Boyer, Executive Director. 

Currently, Nicco Punzalan is the CEO of this organization. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a non-profit organization, one of the earlier challenges is to find an affordable warehouse and low-cost transportation. 

Another challenge is about the different varieties of fruits, vegetables, and other non-perishable items that can be distributed every single weekend. The goal is to be able to have at least more than 6-7 varieties/items that we can give out to the community. 

Worth noting here was the distribution held a week before Christmas in 2021. The regular two-hour distribution of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., was extended until 12 noon with the truck going three times to the warehouse to pick up additional items for distribution. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been a realtor by trade for about 25 years now. Having moved from New York to Phoenix in 1996, being a self-employed gave me the opportunities of owning my time. I became a Lion in 1997 with the Phoenix Phil-Am Lions Club and that paved the way to get to know the community more, especially the challenges of meeting the needs of the underprivileged. 

Being a Lion gave me the chance to do international humanitarian work in the Philippines, Honduras, Guatemala, Vietnam, and regularly in Mexico (both in Caborca and Rocky Point). 

My professional background working for the United Nations for 15 years prior to moving to Phoenix has enabled me to understand various cultural backgrounds in the community, religion, and other people’s preferences. 

I have also been actively involved with the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Arizona (since 1998), established the first family Lions Club, the Phoenix Asian American Lions Club in 2015, Council of Filipino Organizations of Arizona (comprising of about 16 different organizations) and other organizations whose focus was to serve and meet the needs of the community, locally and globally. 

I was also awarded as the Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders 2021 Community Leader of the Year.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Volunteering is not something that can be forced to others. When a situation touches your heart and you are compelled to help, not just once but repeatedly, knowing that your time and efforts will help a particular cause and then that cause becomes your passion, then you become unstoppable. You then realize that volunteering and making a difference in the lives of others is very fulfilling and humbling experience and it can make you whole as a person. 

Contact Info:

• Email: ethelluzario@gmail.com
• Website: www.the3000club.org
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/The3000Club/
• Other: www.phoenixlions.com