Thankful for Our Giving Community
This time of year is traditionally a season of giving, and Mohave Electric Cooperative’s community shines with the efforts of many generous individuals and organizations that give through donations, time, and talent.
2 long-standing programs, the Boombox Parade and Firefighter’s Holiday Toy Drive highlight the community’s Christmas spirit.
A third nonprofit organization, River Fund, continues the spirit of giving throughout the year with crisis and emergency services and assistance.
26th Annual Boombox Parade
Since 1998, the Colorado River Women’s Council, in partnership with the city of Bullhead City, has hosted one of the community’s favorite events, the Boombox Parade. The 2024 annual parade of floats and lights celebrates The Spirit of Giving, with the theme “Celebration in a Snow Globe,” inspiring floats created with unique holiday scenes inside a snow globe. Participants imagined a distant destination, childhood memory, memorable trip or favorite holiday movie.
“The Boombox Parade brings the community together to celebrate the season,” CRWC Hospitality Chair Ellen Brown says. “The joy on the faces of the kids is the best part.”
MEC participated in the parade with an old utility vehicle pulling a float decked out with toys donated by employees.
Visit the Colorado River Women’s Council website for more information about CRWC’s programs that make a difference in the Tri-State area.
Firefighter’s Holiday Toy Drive
The annual program focuses on providing Christmas toys and gifts to children in need. The Bullhead City Fire Department and Bullhead Professional Firefighter’s Association established the Firefighter’s Holiday Toy Drive in 1983, helping 50 children that year.
Bullhead City Fire Department Captain and Paramedic Jeff Jackson and his wife, Jennifer, took over the reins for the nonprofit 18 years ago, helping 300 children. Today, that number has grown to 1,400.
In coordination with area schools and fire departments in 12 communities, Jeff and Jennifer are dedicated to the mission “to ensure that no child goes without a gift to open on Christmas morning.”
The goal is to provide $100 in toys and gifts for each child, with the collective donation valued at more than $100,000 annually.
During collection time in the fall, everyone can help by donating new, unwrapped toys in designated aluminum trash cans at area fire stations, drop-off locations throughout the community, and the MEC member service office.
“This is a community event, and with the help and support of our community, we can make sure we take care of our Tri-State children,” Jeff says. “It’s the support of many generous businesses that make this possible. MEC donates all batteries needed for the toys each year.”
Jeff and Jennifer make sure all the toys find a home in the community. Any toys left over are offered to daycare centers, family shelters, the Boys and Girls Club, and foster parents.
People can also help throughout the year at fundraisers and generous raffle opportunities with proceeds going to support the program.
For drop-off locations, event information and to make a monetary donation, visit firefightersholidaytoydrive.org or find the nonprofit on Facebook.
River Fund: Locals Helping Locals All Year Long
Since its inception in 2010, River Fund has impacted more than 80,000 lives throughout the Tri-State area with immediate emergency crisis and hardship assistance totaling more than $4 million.
As the area’s largest emergency nonprofit, River Fund counts on community support to help those in need. Its motto, “Locals Helping Locals” means all funds raised and donated stay local.
MEC members can support River Fund programs by voluntarily donating $1 to From the Heart with River Fund on their electric bill each month, and by signing up for Operation Round Up to round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar. Donations help local families in need with their electric bill payments.
Among the ways MEC demonstrates Concern for the Community—1 of the 7 Cooperative Principles—is by contributing to River Fund. Through its board of directors, employees, members, and corporate sponsor CoBank, MEC supports programs that provide $80,000-$100,000 a year in donations to River Fund.
“This summer, we were also able to fix AC units and keep homes cool during the high temperatures thanks to more than $70,000 in our Utility Deposit and Appliance Repair/Replace Fund provided by abandoned deposits from MEC,” River Fund CEO Mike Conner says.
For more information about River Fund programs, or to make a contribution, visit the River Fund website or call (928) 704-0039.