Read more about his remarkable life
Eddie Basha spent his life championing children and the communities that nurture them. An iconic Arizona businessman, humanitarian and staunch advocate for public education, Eddie believed in the power of people coming together to serve, create and build something better for the future. When speaking about the potential of communities and the importance of service, Eddie often paraphrased the prophet Jeremiah — We will find our good in the good of the whole community.
The Eddie Basha Regional Partnership Council Excellence Award for Service and Leadership recognizes a First Things First regional council for inspiring its local community to come together and promote positive and lasting change on behalf of young children, thereby enriching all of Arizona.
Any of the 28 regional councils may be nominated by a member of the public. Regional partnership council members may nominate other regional councils, not their own. Nominations are being accepted from May 16 through June 30, 2016.
The award will be presented at the First Things First Early Childhood Summit on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at the Phoenix Convention Center during the celebration luncheon. The award will include the opportunity for an early childhood forum with a keynote speaker to be held in the regional council’s community to highlight the service, leadership and collaboration of the regional council and support increased awareness of the importance of early childhood. Additionally, one member of the awarded council will be selected to participate in a leadership conference.
First Things First’s Gila River Indian Community Regional Partnership Council was the inaugural recipient of the Eddie Basha Regional Partnership Council Excellence Award for Service and Leadership.
READ MORE about the 2015 Eddie Basha Excellence Award.
First Things First Regional Partnership Councils
First Things First partners with parents and communities across Arizona to give children the tools they need to arrive at school healthy and ready to succeed. Representing the richly diverse communities across Arizona, regional councils are comprised of dedicated volunteers. This includes teachers, parents, healthcare professionals, faith, business and tribal representatives and community partners who are passionate about children and their future and are dedicated to carrying out the mission of First Things First.
Through their leadership, regional partnership councils demonstrate a commitment to service and value community collaboration that inspires their communities toward realizing a shared vision for young children and their families. The regional councils foster positive change through partnerships to develop and expand programs, services and supports to increase access of services for young children, improve quality of services, and support infrastructure and capacity building in their communities. Regional councils serve as visionaries, leaders, collaborators, decision-makers, public stewards and champions for Arizona’s youngest children. Regional councils carry out this important work in the following ways:
- Assessing the needs and leveraging assets of their local community to cultivate change;
- Collaborating with local early childhood stakeholders and community partners to prioritize needs and establish a strategic direction for the region;
- Developing and strengthening partnerships to advance the work within the region, across regions and in alignment with statewide efforts; and
- Engaging in activities to help build public awareness of the importance of early childhood development and health with parents, families and the local community.
Remembering Eddie Basha
Eddie Basha was a man with deep roots in Arizona. Born and raised in the community of Chandler, Basha dedicated most of his life to making Arizona a better place to live. His advocacy for children and education is legendary.
Eddie was the great-grandson of settlers who came to America in 1884. His grandparents were Arizona pioneers who opened a general store in the mining community of Ray, Arizona, in 1910, two years before statehood. Today, Bashas’ is the only family-owned supermarket chain in Arizona. Currently there are more than 130 stores.
Eddie was an outstanding citizen who donated his leadership, time and financial support to community projects of all types across the state. As a leading proponent of quality education, he was appointed to the Arizona Board of Regents by Governor Rose Mofford in 1990 and concluded his service on the board in January 1998. Eddie also served a thirteen-year term on the Chandler School Board. Additionally, he was appointed by Governor Bruce Babbitt to the State Board of Education where he served for two consecutive, four-year terms.
Eddie devoted countless hours toward the plight of the homeless and hungry, health care issues, a proponent of the arts, numerous political referendums and many other community and civic projects as well.
Eddie, along with his wife, Nadine Mathis Basha, passed on their strong sense of community and commitment to their family of six sons. Sadly, Eddie passed away on March 26, 2013, at the age of 76. He enriched the lives of all who knew him.