Contributed article
SAFFORD —Local families received a boostduring the holiday season thanks to a $5,000 grant awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley by Sparklight through its Charitable Giving Fund. The grant helped fund the nonprofit’s Holiday Hope & Cheer program, an initiative that provides holiday meals and gifts to youth and families in need.
During its recentgrant cycle, Sparklight awarded more than $125,000 in grants to 25 nonprofit organizations across the cities and towns it serves. From childand familysupport tohunger reliefto education and vital skills training, the funding is helpingenhance communities and uplift lives.
“Programs like Holiday Hope & Cheer make a meaningful difference for families during a time that can be very overwhelming,” said Jay Macleod, Sparklight senior regional director, Southwest. “Through our Charitable Giving Fund, Sparklight is proud to support local organizations that help bring relief, dignity and joy to families across the Gila Valley.”
With grants announced in December, Sparklight expedited the award to ensure it could meet the nonprofit’s program scheduleand serve families before the holidays.
“We are deeply grateful to Sparklight for its generosity and support of our Holiday Hope & Cheer program,” said Adriana Romero, Director of Grants for the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley. “This grant allowed us to brighten the holidays for more than 50 local youth and their families, helping relieve financial stress so they could enjoy the wonder of the season.”
The company’s Charitable Giving Fund focuses on initiatives that create lasting, local impact, including education and digital literacy, hunger relief and community development. Since the Fund’s inception in 2020, Sparklight has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to more than 275 nonprofits that make a difference in the lives of those they serve.
Nonprofit organizations may apply for a grant during open application periods each spring and fall. Applications for the spring 2026 cycle will be accepted April 1-30, 2026.
For more information about the Sparklight Charitable Giving Fund, please visit www.sparklight.com/charitablegiving.
