Marico-opoly game will provide family fun and funds for Maricopa Elementary

Did you ever want to own the deed to City Hall, collect $200 or build a hotel on John Wayne Parkway? Well, thanks to the first-year Maricopa Elementary Diamondbacks PTO organization and a little game called Marico-opoly, you could accomplish that – and more.

As part of this year’s fundraising game plan, the new school’s PTO is creating a board game in the likeness of Parker Brothers’ world-renowned Monopoly game, through a Michigan-based company called Pride Distribution. The company will take names of businesses and places from Maricopa and fashion a monopoly-like game board to reflect the city.

Presently 40 of the game squares are up for sale to local shops and organizations; the four corner spots being the most expensive. Over 100 printable surfaces are available on the board itself, as patron listings, on utility and chance cards, property deed cards and even the money.

Area businesses and municipal departments have the opportunity to advertise themselves over and over– each time a family plays Marico-opoly.

The group hopes Maricopa’s schools, the post office, city hall and fire and police departments will purchase spaces, too. All monies generated from sales after costs will go directly to the PTO to help purchase supplies and equipment for Maricopa Elementary or any other school wishing to get involved.

Pre-orders are being taken for $15 a game set. Purchase price of Marico-opoly, after the games arrive, will then go up to $25. Those interested in reserving a game, or who want to learn more about purchasing a spot to advertise their business on the board or its components, should contact project chair Brandy Griffith at [email protected] or by phone at (520) 568-6676.

Maricopa Elementary School’s Diamondback PTO members hope you’ll be the one to “pass go” by purchasing a spot on the Marico-opoly board game. Proceeds will purchase supplies and equipment for Maricopa Elementary students.

Diamondback PTO members hope to fill all the spots on the Marico-opoly board by the start of school next year.

Purchasing spots on the board, cards or money benefits the advertiser and goes to a good cause. “This advertising is permanent and is targeted to the local families being served by the advertiser,” said Griffith. “A game order of 1200 reaches 1200 families.”