2010 Clothing Drive Kicks Off

EL PASO, Texas (September 09, 2010) – The Sun Bowl Association, FirstLight Federal Credit Union, the YMCA and Goodwill Industries have teamed up to put together a clothing drive to help those in need in the El Paso area.

"FirstLight Federal Credit Union has always tried to be a good corporate citizen," said Karl Murphy, president of FirstLight Federal Credit Union. "Part of the way that you do that is by finding ways to support your community. For the last four years, our partnerships raised close to 170,000 pounds of food for those in need. We are now refocusing our efforts with a clothing drive."

The Clothing Drive Business Challenge will begin Sept. 13 and run through Oct. 15. This partnership is striving to bring attention to the unemployment that exists in the El Paso/Southern New Mexico community.

"This Clothing Drive helps Goodwill put disadvantaged and disabled people to work, which is especially important in our challenging economy," said Tom Andrews, president of Goodwill Industries of El Paso. "Your generous donations create more jobs at Goodwill."

Goodwill Industries, along with FirstLight Federal Credit Union and the Sun Bowl Association, will honor the organization that collects the highest poundage of clothing. The organization that collects the highest poundage of clothing will be awarded the use of a pre-built float advertising their name in the 2010 FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade on Thanksgiving Day. The winner of the business challenge will also have the opportunity to have one company vehicle in the parade, as well as having participants walking alongside the float.

The parade, themed this year "Building a Dream," is the most attended event in the Southwest, drawing large crowds every Thanksgiving. Thus, sponsoring a clothing drive for the area's less fortunate during a time when help is most needed is a cause that Sun Bowl Association president Amen F. Ayoub believes can have a positive impact on our community.

"In so many ways, Thanksgiving is about family and giving," said Ayoub. "This is a great opportunity for a company or organization to step up in the community and support our region and help those less fortunate."

Any organization can join the contest that will begin Sept. 13 and run through Oct. 15. The Sun Bowl Association, FirstLight Federal Credit Union and West Texas Food Bank will honor the contest winner with a pre-built float displaying their name to commence the parade.

Additionally, the winning organization will also have the opportunity to have one company vehicle in the parade as well as have participants walking around the float and interacting with the crowd.

"With over 300,000 people attending the parade each year, this is a great incentive for any organization to promote itself around El Paso and surrounding areas," added Ayoub. "It is also a way of giving back during the holiday season."

The 74th FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade is Thursday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. The parade runs along Montana Avenue beginning at Ochoa Street and ending at Copia Street. Review Stand tickets for the parade can be purchased at the Sun Bowl Association office. This year's parade theme is "Building A Dream."

Enhancing the Parade

The Sun Bowl Association continues to revitalize the Parade. Last year local companies and volunteers helped grow the number of floats to the most since 1973. The SBA is looking to see that number grow to 28, giving the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade the most floats in the procession since 1968.

Material donations are also needed for float construction to enhance the parade. Items needed include building material such as rebar, steel tubing, and wood, hardware such as bolts, nuts, and nails, tools such as saws and drills, and cotton trailers or working trucks to build around. Additionally, voluntary assistance is needed to transport materials to the float-building location, to design and build a float, and to build/sponsor floats of their own. Monetary donations to help with float-building costs are also of high importance. Anyone who is able to help with the requests will be listed in thank you advertisements that pertain to the parade. All donations are tax-deductible.

Local companies have already joined the float-building effort – Banes General Contractors, Buzz Oates/RJL Associates, El Paso Machine & Steel Inc. and Home Depot.

For more information about the 2010 FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade Food Drive or to donate to float-building, please contact Joe Daubach, Sun Bowl special events director at (915) 533-4416.