After the September flood, many began looking for ways to help the Globe community recover.
Because the Globe Downtown Association, also known as the Globe Main Street Program, is widely recognized for its role in historic preservation, community events, and major downtown projects, donors naturally turned to the organization asking how they could contribute.
Globe’s 1916 Train Depot Complex & Museum, often considered the association’s own headquarters, was in the middle of its own cleanup after floodwaters had infiltrated the first floor.
Before she knew it, GDA manager Molly Cornwell was being approached directly by people who wanted to donate to flood relief.
“We were standing knee deep in mud, and people were trying to hand us money,” she recalls.
Seeking the fastest and most practical way to accept donations, Cornwell launched a GoFundMe account for the association.
“Everybody knows GoFundMe. Yes, they take a percentage. Yes, I've gotten a lot of flack over that,” she says. “But it was fast, it was recognizable, it was trustworthy, and I could do it right then.”
The GoFundMe went live two days after the flood, with the stated goal of raising money to support property owners and businesses within Globe’s defined historic district.
So far, the fundraising campaign has raised nearly $39,000, and donations are still coming in.
In addition to funds raised through GoFundMe, which are at nearly $22,000, the Gila County Board of Supervisors donated $15,000 to the association directly.
The supervisors earmarked $5,000 for the train depot complex — which will be used to replace the depot’s HVAC system that was destroyed during the flood — and $10,000 in more flexible funds that can be distributed to flood-affected businesses throughout downtown Globe, whether they fall inside the historic district’s boundaries or not.
“The good thing is the county saw what we were doing, and the supervisors voted to give us money that can go further,” Cornwell says.
Once the county funds arrive, the association plans to use those to assist businesses that were impacted but located outside Globe’s defined historic district.
Founded in 1987, GDA has long been an advocate for historic preservation, championing causes like the restoration of the 1910 Territorial Sheriff’s Office and Jail and the train depot. Beyond stewardship of Globe’s history, the association organizes several of Globe’s largest annual events, including the Light Parade, Santa at the Depot, the Downtown Halloween Block Party, the Easter Parade, and the Ghosts of Globe and cemetery tours.
After several meetings, the association’s board agreed on how $20,300 of the donated funds will be distributed. This week, 38 checks ranging from $250 to $1,000, based on the severity of damage, are being issued.
“$20,000 doesn't stretch very far,” Cornwell says. “The money that we can give them is nothing but saying we love you.”
Still, she stresses fairness in the process.
“I want to make sure it's handled as fairly as we possibly can make it,” she says. “We just want to quietly hug people and give them a check.”
To determine needs, the association referenced a map of the historic district to locate each business and property owner, and gathered details on flood impacts. They categorized the damage reported — low, medium, or high — and assigned relief amounts accordingly. Where tenants operated businesses, the association board agreed to split funds between tenants and property owners.
Some business owners declined to apply.
“Some people were just sweet and humble and said, ‘No, other people got hit worse,’” Cornwell says.
In those situations, the association completed the paperwork on their behalf to ensure they were included.
“We were trying to get as much information as we could,” she explains. “We want to help them as much as we can.”
To those still hesitant to accept assistance, Cornwell says: “Just please consider taking it. If you don't want it, then pay it forward.”
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