SAFFORD — Hundreds waited in the rain Saturday morning for the return of the Back To School Resource Fair, this year at a new location in the National Guard Armory.
“Our event was amazing. We had so many people that jumped in and so many sponsors this year. It was a true team event,” said Kathy Grimes, executive director of the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition, the group that puts on the event each year.
Students in K-12 received a backpack filled with school supplies appropriate to his or her grade, a free bicycle helmet courtesy of LifeNet, vitamins from Walton Drug, eye screenings by the Safford Lions Club and vouchers for a free set of clothes from either GCRC or St. Vincent DePaul.
Parents received information about services available to their families, such as those provided by the Safford City-Graham County Library and the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley.
Sponsors this year included United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, First Things First, Safford Lions Club, Walton Drug, Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley, American Legion Swift-Murphy Post 32, St. Vincent DePaul, GCRC, Eastern Arizona Area Health Education Center, LifeNet, Arizona @ Work, Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry, Eastern Arizona Courier, Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, Safford City-Graham County Library and GFWC Woman’s Club of Safford.
Volunteers included LDS missionaries, the Eastern Arizona College Nursing Program and the Youth Advocates of the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition.
Fort Thomas, Pima and Safford students return to the classroom Wednesday, Aug. 4; while Thatcher starts Wednesday, Aug. 11.
