SAFFORD – The good news from the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley Justin Gaethje Golf Tournament at Mt. Graham Golf Course on Wednesday wasn’t just that there was a full field in play or an increase in sponsors.
The big news was that the local club received a $100,000 grant from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America following the Safford club’s merger with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson.
“We can keep our doors open and serve the community,” said Brittany Dean, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Gila Valley. “We will work closely with Tucson.”
Dean said local staff will undergo additional training, which will lead to expanded programming at the local club.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
In May, the club notified the city of Safford of the merger with Tucson after a local board member described “a very, very rough year for the Boys and Girls Club” and the club suffered “a significant budget deficit.”
Safford provides building and utility services to the local club and also pays rent for the property used as the club’s playground.
Dean said the Tucson clubs helped secure many of the tee and hole sponsorships for Wednesday’s golf tournament, and that Gaethje himself secured a $10,000 sponsorship from Hiya Health.
Additionally, Ginaveve’s Market Place served as the breakfast sponsor and Open Loop Energy served as the cart sponsor, which, along with registration fees and raffle ticket purchases, raised $30,780 for the club through the golf tournament.
