SAFFORD — On Monday, Enrique Garcia, branch manager for OneAZ Credit Union, presented a check for $5,000 to Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Corporation.
OneAZ Credit Union presents 50 $5,000 Community Impact Grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations around the state each year. With the Safford branch being the busiest in the entire OneAZ organization, the Gila Valley received three grants, the other two recipients being Gila Watershed Partnership and Mt. Graham Safe House.
“We’re back in the hunt of trying to help a lot of the nonprofit organizations in the area,” Garcia said.
Lupe Munoz, secretary/treasurer for Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Corporation, said the funds would be used for the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
“On Sept. 16, at the Lee Little Theater, we’re going to have a celebration of the proclamation,” Munoz said.
That will be followed by a dual event on Sept. 17, with a classic car show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Thatcher campus of Eastern Arizona College, followed at 6 p.m. by a dinner in the activities center.
“We’re going to have . . . mariachis from Dallas and folklorico dancers from Tucson,” Munoz said.
There will also be the presentation of the Hispanic family of the year, and the educator of the year, as well as announcing this past year’s scholarship recipients.
Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Corporation raises funds to provide scholarships to EAC to any qualifying high school graduate or adult returning to college.
