SAFFORD — The community is taking notice of Eva Harper and Linda Lopez.
The two women were named Graham County’s Community Heroes during Tuesday’s celebration of Older Americans Month at the Graham County Senior Center on Tuesday.
“I just want you to know that a hero has lots of people that support them and believe in the same cause,” Lopez said, “and without those people, none of it (gets accomplished).”
In addition to Tuesday’s honor, Lopez was named Volunteer of the Year at the Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley grant celebration in September 2023.
Meanwhile Harper is coming off her second Pride of Safford award for her volunteerism, presented in January 2023.
“Thank you, guys. Without you, I wouldn’t be here,” Harper said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
There were eight nominees for Graham County who were also recognized Tuesday — Ruben Trujillo, John and Shilene Cusolito, Anna Davis, Carol Salyer and Ed Lopez, in addition to Harper and Linda Lopez.
The awards were presented by the Area Agency on Aging team from Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO), which covers Graham, Greenlee, Cochise and Santa Cruz counties.
“A total of 14 selected community Heroes between the four counties, and we’re pretty excited to be here,” said Elsa Centeno, State Health Insurance coordinator for SEAGO.
SEAGO will honor the Greenlee County heroes Wednesday, starting with breakfast at the Clifton Senior Center. Nominated were Will Collins, Amy McCullar and Frank Chavez, with McCullar and Chavez selected as Community Heroes.
At lunch at the Duncan Senior Center, nominees Orpha Bell, Gloria Bejarano and Kimberly Lunt will be recognized, with Lunt and Bejarano named as Community Heroes.
In addition to the presentation, a tree will be planted at the Duncan Senior Center in honor of Valadee Crotts, who was a founding member of SEACUS, which operates the senior centers and the Meals on Wheels programs in Graham and Greenlee counties.
Editor’s note: Reporter David Bell is a SEACUS board member.
