SAFFORD — Money that will help five Gila Valley organizations continue to do good work was distributed Monday.
The prizes were awarded for the top floats in the 24th annual Country Financial Light Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4. Each of the six winners received $300, and donated the money to a group or cause of their choice.
Winners and beneficiaries are:
● Friends and family — Zumba Fitness of the Gila Valley donated the prize money to Mt. Graham Safe House
● School — First United Methodist Preschool used the prize to continue offering its preschool services
● Nonprofit organization — SEACAP is using the prize to help fund utility and rent assistance, and weatherization/utility repair
● Government — Graham County donated the prize to the House of Hope Sober Living Facility
● Small business —LifeNet 10 donated the prize to the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley
● Large business — Open Loop Energy donated the prize to Mt. Graham Safe House.
There were a record number of entries in this year’s parade.
“We love this; this is so much fun,” said Country Financial’s Vaughn Grant. “I think we had close to 44 (entries), somewhere around in there, and we want to increase that by another 20 next year.”
Grant said it’s estimated between 4,000 and 5,000 watched the Country Financial Light Parade make its way down Safford’s Main Street.
In addition to Country Financial, the day’s activities were brought to the community by the Safford Downtown Association, the City of Safford and the Graham County Chamber of Commerce.
