SAFFORD — The Boys and Girls Club of the Gila Valley paid tribute to those who support the club’s mission of providing a safe, healthy environment for the area’s children.
The inaugural Donor Awards Dinner was held Saturday at the Branding Iron restaurant.
“We were looking to concentrate on awards; on getting awards out to the people who donate to us, and recognizing the community for that,” said Nick Nordgran-Tellez, Resource Development officer for the club.
Attendees were welcomed by Board Chairman James Bryce and heard from the keynote speaker, Graham County Supervisor Paul David, who spoke on the importance for quality leadership and role models for the area’s youths.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Awards were presented for a number of contributions to club, including:
● Largest donations by an individual donor — the late Marge Schade
● Largest donations by a small business — La Paloma Restaurant
● Largest in-kind donation — Greg St. Hilaire and Toys for Tots
● Greatest support by a nonprofit organization — United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties
● Greatest support by a governmental organization — City of Safford
● Greatest support by a corporate organization — Freeport-McMoRan
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
An award was presented to board member Mike Assum for his years of service, and an anonymous donor was acknowledged for making a significant donation of unrestricted funds.
“Overall, I’m happy that it reinvigorated some people and got people thinking, again, about the club,” Nordgran-Tellez said. “We’re going to do events all year long this year. We’re going to do events to reinvigorate, not only the community about the club, but get the club excited about the club.”
Next up for the club is a scholarship pageant in April, followed by the Alumni Golf Tournament in May.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
