Scherr Donation Saves El Paso’s ’95 Sun Parade

Attorney James Scherr was recognized for spearheading a fundraiser to save the Sun Parade. More than $32,000 was raised on the first full day of fundraising.

Here is an excerpt from the article: “We decided it was our responsibility to contribute,” former city Rep. Jim Scherr said Thursday after his law firm made the biggest single donation of $10,000.

“Since I was a small boy, I’ve sat on Montana Street, waving at beautiful floats, bands, people,” Scherr said. “I’ve participated in the parade, riding in floats, walking, even being a clown making balloons into puppy dogs. I wanted to make our community better.”

Scherr announced his donation during a City Hall press conference Thursday morning to draw attention to more than 30 other El Pasoans who also had donated to make sure there would be enough funding to pay police overtime for parade security.

The donations guaranteed the parade would go on as planned, after three days of uncertainty that began when Mayor Larry Francis announced the city could no longer afford to co-sponsor the event by providing about $40,000 worth of police overtime.