THATCHER – A number of public service agencies are coming together to give small children under the governor’s stay-at-home order a treat.
An emergency vehicle parade will take place over four days, flashing lights and blasting sirens for children who have been unable to leave their homes for school and activities.
The event is the brainchild of Riley Woods, operations supervisor for Lifeline Safford. He said the idea came after seeing other agencies reach out to children by making home visits or singing happy birthday to children.
“Seeing that sparked my attention (and I said,) ‘Hey, let’s do something for our community,’ ” he said. “A couple of months back, the community came together for Gila Valley Strong . . . it’s a neat thing to see our community come together. And right now, with social distancing and physical distancing, it’s a way to bring our community together again.”
Participating agencies include Lifeline Ambulance; Pima, Safford and Thatcher Police departments; Fort Thomas, Pima, Safford and Thatcher Fire departments; Graham County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety; Air Evac and Life Net.
Each day, the emergency vehicles will travel a different community. On Wednesday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m., the parade will take place in Pima, starting from the Pima Pool.
Thursday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m. the parade is in Thatcher, starting from Mt. Graham Golf Club.
Friday, April 10, at 5:30 p.m., the parade moves to Safford, starting from Discovery Park and 20th.
Tuesday, April 14, at 5:30 p.m., the parade will take place in Fort Thomas, with a starting location still to be determined.
