As the Tourism Association ramps up to start a new year with new projects and fun collectibles please remember some important basic ‘things to do’.
First – please Shop Local, Buy Local, especially from small businesses. We are very fortunate in Greenlee County to have so many entrepreneurs willing to open up a shop in the face of a mountain of unknowns. These are your neighbors and friends, maybe even family members who all count on local people to shop and support the store so it can remain open, pay taxes and contribute to the community.
Something notable and praiseworthy are all the groups and businesses that gave away Thanksgiving meals, or offered table meals to anyone who came to their celebration.
At least three more groups are offering Christmas gift baskets, toys for Tots and Christmas meals all packaged up and ready for the oven. Did you know that on average, about 27% of U.S. adults spent Thanksgiving alone? Around 20% will be alone on Christmas. For New Year’s Eve, nearly 1 in 3 people celebrate without a crowd.
Look around, if you see that someone might be in distress there are resources av available for them and it could be your phone call that brings them the warm happiness of a meal, gifts and companionship.
Offer to take them to the Christmas parades in the area, there are several some starting as early as this coming Saturday Dec 6. Please scroll through the events and find what tugs at your heat.
The Tourism Council has amassed a strong history of outreach, successful events, promoting fundraisers and overall keeping residents, guests and tourists informed.
The Magnificent 7 (the seven-county area with Greenlee kin the middle – Catron, Grant and Hidalgo Counties from New Mexico and Cochise, Graham and Apache Counties that all share border with us.
Please get on board! Sign up for the monthly newsletter, get others to take advantage as well. The Five year Planning Calendar is shaping up nicely with the next meeting and brainstorming session coming up Monday Dec 15th at 2 pm in the Duncan High School Cafeteria. All representatives of groups, organizations, churches, schools and government offices are encouraged and invited to attend.
Expect plenty of prizes and surprises from your Tourism Association. And with deepest respect and from our hearts – may your holidays be filled with kindness and generosity spilling over into a New Year of bounty and team spirit.
Be well, Akos Kovach, Vice Chair, Greenlee Tourism Association