|
FIRST ANNUAL MARCH ON METH PARADE COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA, MARCH 31, 2007 MATForce MISSION STATEMENT With determination and integrity, we, the citizens of Yavapai County, commit to working in partnership to build healthier communities by eliminating substance abuse and its effects. www.matforce.org (leaving this Web site) On Saturday, March 31, 2007, MATForce sponsored its first March on Meth Parade in Cottonwood. Many kids from Cottonwood, Village of Oak Creek, Camp Verde, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Clarkdale, Rimrock and Jerome came out to proclaim loud and clear that this poison is not welcome in our communities. They all did an awesome job creating banners, signs, slogans, cheers and dance routines. My congratulations to everyone who marched, supported the marchers and participated in the fun and games. Cottonwood Police Chief Doug Bartosh has provided top quality leadership in the MATForce organization, along with MATForce founder, County Attorney Sheila Polk. Read the full story on the MATForce Web site: http://www.co.yavapai.az.us/MATContent.aspx?id=28448. Story continued below. Click on photo for larger image.
From the MATForce Web site: Congratulations also to the Mingus Union High School Hot Rod Club who won the Best Overall Entry and a check for $100. Parade participants were: Camp Verde Marshall Police Explorers (Color Guard); CT Elementary Jammin' Jumpers; Center for Creative Education; YC Sheriff's Office Right by Kids/DARE Oak Creek School; Girl Scout Troop 2689; Boy's/Girl's Club of Northern AZ; CT Middle School Nat'l Jr. Honor Society; Clarkdale/Jerome School CHAMPS; Rimrock Public High School; Tavasci Elementary School; Mingus Union High School SADD; Yavapai Big Brother's /Big Sister's; Boy's/Girl's Club - Yavapai/Apache Nation; Stage Coupe 4-KIX, built by Ron Sayler's; Mingus Union High School Jazz Band; Alexander-Young family; Mingus Union High School Native American Club; CT Police Explorers; Mingus Union High School Hot Rod Club; CT Fire Dept; CV Marshall's Office; Yavapai County Sheriff; Yavapai/Apache Nation Police; CT Police Dept. A large number of Verde Valley community organizations pulled together to make this event possible. Special gratitude is due to Yavapai Broadcasting who announced the parade and has provided outstanding leadership in the Verde area’s anti-meth efforts. MATForce also extends its appreciation to Kathleen Alexander-Young, Dean of Students at Mingus Union High School, for the vision and to Julia Larson, Superintendent of the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District, for providing the facility and organizing the parade. Those who made the parade possible are: Youth Count, Kathleen and Marcos Benites, Cornucopia Community Advocates, The Mingus Center, Allegra Print and Imaging, Wal-mart, Bashas, Food City, Pepsi, Four Square Church, Camp Verde Parks & Recreation, Yavapai Broadcasting, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Vinnie's Pizza, Acme Pizza, The Fudge Factory, Strombolli's Restaurant, ABC Body Shop and Towing, Jerona Cafe, Home Depot, Verde Valley Medical Center, Catholic Charities, YC Juvenile Probation, Cottonwood/Oak Creek Valley School District, Cottonwood Police, Camp Verde Marshall's Office, Leaders/teachers of all the groups who entered the parade, Dead Horse State Park Police, CT Police, Arizona Rangers, Camp Verde Volunteers in Policing (VIPs), MATForce Steering Committee, Yavapai County Attorney's Office, Verde Independent, Camp Verde Journal, KAZM Radio and Sedona Red Rock News. Congratulations also to the entire Verde Valley region which has enthusiastically embraced MATForce and understands that communities can believe and pursue together feasible substance abuse solutions that will work. The March on Meth Parade was Mayor-elect Diane Joens' first activity after being elected, before being sworn in on May 31,2007.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
