By Grace Usher

Every year, the Havasu Balloon Festival Board distributes profits gathered from the January event  to local charities. This year, the organization donated $150,000 to multiple charities across town.

“We decided after the first year that we would use this type of format to show the impact the Balloon Festival has had on the community, especially on the nonprofits. We have everything like kids organizations to veterans. There is a wide gamut. It’s been a very rewarding experience.” said Jim Day of London Bridge Lions and board member of Havasu Balloon Festival Association.

The Havasu Balloon Festival Board takes the allotted donation monies and disperses $30,000 to five community service groups in town: London Bridge Lions, Daybreakers Lions, Sunrise Rotary, London Bridge Rotary, and Lake Havasu Rotary.

Deborah Greg, of Mile Markers Therapy said, “It helps in many different ways. Because we are a nonprofit and are subsidized by the state of Arizona, the state only pays a certain amount for treatments. Some of our clients need additional treatments. So we’re are able  to give them a little bit more hands on therapy with the support of our community. We are also able to get vehicles so we can transport our clients to group support, employment, and out into the community we do activities.” 

Each of the five group reviews written requests from local nonprofit organizations to decide where the funds will be dispersed.

“We put it towards our Day of Service. Every member of our club is involved in a group and they each have a service project that they do in the community or in our schools. Whatever money they raise, we match them for the supplies they need and their project.” said Cheyenne Valenzuela, Lake Havasu High School Honor Society.

The recipients gathered at Pima Wash on McCulloch Boulevard Thursday to receive donations. More than 20 charities in town received funds.

“[The donation is] going to help us here in the summer. Also it is going to help people through Christmas who are supporting our Adopt-A-Family program” said Captain Bob Lueras, Salvation Army.

Any nonprofit that would like to request a donation from the Havasu Balloon Festival Association, should send a written request to the following organizations:

Lake Havasu City London Bridge Lions Club
PO Box 494
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405
londonbridgelionsclub@gmail.com

Lake Havasu DayBreakers Lions Club
P.O. Box 3181
Lake Havasu City AZ 86405

Lake Havasu Sunrise Rotary
“We meet Thursdays at 7:00 AM”
Shugrue’s/Makai
1425 McCulloch Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

London Bridge Rotary
“We meet Wednesdays at 12:00 PM”
Shugrue’s Restaurant
1425 McCulloch Blvd. N.
Lake Havasu City, AZ  86403

Lake Havasu Rotary Club
“We meet Mondays at 12:00 PM”
Shugrue’s Bridgeview Room
1425 McCulloch Blvd. N.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

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