SAFFORD — Ted Prina, with the Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley, said the public is invited to take part in a celebration of local nonprofit organizations and volunteers in both Graham and Greenlee counties.
The Graham Greenlee Grant Celebration, an annual event honoring local nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and philanthropists, will take place Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher.
“Actually if you’d like to come early, we’ll have entertainment starting about 3:30 p.m.,” Prina said. “We have some local classic entertainment for you, refreshments, and time to mingle and network with our nonprofits and those people who support our nonprofits, as well as our volunteer nominees.”
Prina said the nominated organizations must be a “bona fide nonprofit” that could qualify for a grant from ACF of the Gila Valley, which includes 501c3 organizations, as well as schools and churches that perform a communitywide service project.
For the individual volunteer of the year, Dennis Sawyer — who sponsors the Ed and Angie Sawyer Volunteer of the Year for Graham County, which comes with $1,000 the recipient may donate to the organization(s) of his or her choice — said selectors are looking for those with extensive service.
“We’re looking for people that not just work with one organization,” Sawyer said, “someone that helps a couple of organizations; a little more diversified.”
The deadline to nominate is Sept. 8, and the link to nominate an individual or organization can be found at Graham Greenlee Grant Celebration 2023 Nomination Form Survey (surveymonkey.com).
Past recipients include:
Ed and Angie Sawyer Graham County Volunteer of the year
2017 — John Bonafas
2018 — Ruth Powell (posthumous)
2019 — Paulette LeBlanc
2022 — Chris Gibbs
Greenlee County Volunteer of the Year
2017 — Doug Barlow
2018 — Catie Gross
2019 — Jesus Garcia
2022 — Steve Ahmann
Graham County Nonprofit Organization of the Year
2017 — Safford Lions Club
2018 — Mt. Graham Safe House
2019 — Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry
2022 — Southeastern Arizona Community Unique Services (SEACUS)
Greenlee County Nonprofit Organization of the Year
2017 — Duncan Pride Society
During the recent competitive grant cycle, nine nonprofit organizations serving Graham and Greenlee counties were awarded a total of $44,200 from ACF of the Gila Valley to support projects in social services, healthcare, environment, animal welfare, and more.
The 2023 grant recipients include:
● Borderlands Produce Rescue/Borderlands Food Bank
● Boys and Girls Club of the Gila Valley
● Desert Cat Rescue & Sanctuary of Arizona
● Desert Seed Resource Center
● Gila Valley Arts Council
● Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona
● Graham County Search and Rescue Squad
● Mount Graham Safe House, Inc.
● Special Olympics Arizona
