Veterans Day parade struggles to find support

In the midst of a financial crisis and widespread economic uncertainty, organizers say they are finding it hard to secure money to support the Mesa Veterans Day Parade.

Through corporate donations, individual fundraising and the help of veterans groups, the Mesa Veterans Parade Association secured the necessary $18,000 to stage this year's Nov. 11 affair, said Denise Majors, an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a parade association spokeswoman.

Nevertheless, even advertising the parade is tough with a budget more limited than that of recent years, she added, and the future remains uncertain.

"The economy right now is not helping," she said. "We anticipate that next year it's just going to get worse."

Until three years ago, the parade was fully funded and organized by Mesa.

But economic strains forced the city to drop the parade from its budget, leaving it to veterans and volunteers to shoulder the burden of staging the annual event, she said.

"It stung when we lost that funding," Majors said. "But in the face of what the city is dealing with right now, it's small potatoes."

Mesa, like most other Arizona cities, is facing a devastating shortfall in revenue, leaving it little money to distribute to community events, said Mayor Scott Smith.

Mesa isn't providing direct financial backing for the parade, but the city is allowing it and other community events a rider on the city's insurance policy and is providing police support and barricades, saving sponsors thousands of dollars, Smith said.

"We get to be a participant in a worthwhile community event, and the event gets these services at little or no additional cost," Smith said.

Majors said she appreciates the city's efforts despite dire circumstances.

"The mayor has been supportive," she said. "But he has been very upfront and clear with us that there will not be any money coming."

Majors said the parade's largest current sponsor is Boeing Co., but Boeing spokeswoman Mary Baldwin said though veteran support is a priority to the defense contractor, donation decisions are made on a year-to-year basis.

"The company is still evaluating its position and the economic environment, so no definite determinations have been made concerning (next year's) community involvement," Baldwin said.

Other sponsors make decisions on a yearly basis, too, said parade association treasurer Sylvia Richards, but individual donations are a big help.

"It isn't easy to raise money," she said. "It takes a lot of footwork and time."

Richards said the association runs a booth and accepts cash donations at the Mesa Downtown Friday monthly fair, as well as the Mesa Arts Center's MACFest, which runs on Saturdays from October through May.

To her, even a small contribution could go a long way for a good cause.

"Regardless of how we feel personally or politically about this war or wars, we still owe it to our soldiers and our military to support them," Richards said.

Smith believes community events like these serve an even more important purpose given the climate of crisis.

"In troubled times, you need to pull together even more as a community," he said.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. and run from the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., south on Center and conclude at Macdonald.

An event that begins after the parade will include speakers, musical acts and an antique military vehicle display.

Want to help?

Information about how to donate can be found at www.azveterans.com. Checks or money orders can be sent to P.O. Box 2116, Mesa, AZ 85277.