Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

Several area charities have recently benefitted from the generosity of fellow Rim Country nonprofits.

Both the Payson Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 810 and the Rim Country Classic Auto Club have made contributions to a variety of organizations from the proceeds of their annual fund-raising events: the May Aero Fair and the April Beeline Cruise-in and Charity Auto Show.

The Payson Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 810 raised almost $4,000 giving airplane rides at the 2010 Aero Fair on May 15 held at the Payson Municipal Airport. The chapter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The purpose of the event was to raise funds to donate to other selected local nonprofit charities in the Rim Country.

The members of EAA donated their time, aircraft, and in some cases, the fuel to provide the flights during Aero Fair. There were 155 passengers flown during the course of the project, with each paying $25 for a 15-minute flight around the local area.

Each member could nominate one charity for consideration as a gift recipient. After nominations closed, each member could vote on up to four charities to receive the donations.

Each selected charity receives $1,000 from the chapter. The four selected were: Civil Air Patrol Cadet Squadron in Payson; Big Brothers Big Sisters in Payson; Merritt Center Returning Combat Veterans Program; and Time Out Shelter.

The EAA presentation was made to its selected charities June 23.

The RCCAC presented $10,500 in awards July 14 to the following groups: St. Vincent de Paul/Rim Country Food Bank; Pine Strawberry Food Bank; Senior Citizens Affairs Foundation; Payson Area Habitat for Humanity; Payson Helping Payson; Payson Multi Purpose Senior Center; Vet-Aid, dba Veterans Helping Veterans; Kaitie’s Closet; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Payson Supply Line; and Tonto Rim Search and Rescue.

The annual car show attracts thousands of visitors and hundreds of cars to one of the premier classic car shows in the area each year.