Mesa Unites: Hydration Drive Kicks Off to Beat the Heat
As Arizona braces for another scorching summer, the community of Mesa is rallying together to ensure that its most vulnerable residents stay hydrated and safe. The 18th Annual Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign has officially kicked off, marking an earlier start this year in response to the heightened urgency of the situation.
The kick-off event was led by Jason Reed, President and CEO of United Food Bank, who welcomed esteemed guests and partners to the campaign kickoff. Among them were Councilmember and current member of United Food Bank’s Board of Directors Julie Spilsbury, City of Mesa Emergency Manager Robert Campa, President and CEO of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce Sally Harrison, Executive Director of Resurrection Street Ministry Bill Berry, and other distinguished figures from various sectors of the community.
The campaign kicked off with donations of 38,400 bottles of water from Walmart stores in Mesa and 30,240 bottles from Niagara Bottling. “I coordinated it with the other seven store managers that work for Walmart,” shares Walmart Store Manager Vanessa, who has been organizing this donation for the past five years. “It is such a great event, and you feel the emotion in the room, because you are helping so many people and it affects your community. I like bringing that back every year.”
“At the end of the day, you think to yourself, you work for Walmart, and you can feel obligated because you’re part of a big corporation. But on a personal note, it feels very good for me to know that I’m part of the bigger picture. We could be potentially saving someone’s life. Like Bill said, we are bringing everybody together as a community and we’re looking out for each other.”
The initiative, which runs from May 6th to September 27th, aims to collect a staggering 700,000 bottles of water to meet the pressing needs of Mesa’s residents, particularly those experiencing homelessness or lacking shelter during the sweltering summer months. With the National Weather Service predicting above-normal temperatures for the region, the importance of this campaign cannot be overstated.
Last year’s sky-high temperatures, which saw 30 consecutive days of 110+ degree heat, underscored the critical necessity of access to water. During that period, the campaign distributed over 630,000 bottles of water to individuals in need. This year, organizers are taking proactive measures by commencing the campaign earlier to mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat.
Partner organizations, including United Food Bank, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, City of Mesa departments, local businesses, and nonprofit entities, have joined forces to make this initiative a success. Notable contributions have already been made by corporate entities such as Walmart and Niagara Bottling, setting the stage for a robust community response.
Sally Harrison, Councilmember for the City of Mesa and former Board member of United Food Bank, emphasized the crucial role of community solidarity in achieving the campaign’s ambitious goals. She called upon residents and businesses to participate actively, whether through direct water donations or by organizing water drives within their respective spheres of influence.
As Mesa prepares for the sweltering summer ahead, the Hydration Donation Campaign reminds residents of the power of unity and compassion in safeguarding the well-being of all members of the community. By working together and extending a helping hand to those in need, Mesa residents are not only providing essential resources but also fostering a culture of caring and resilience in the face of adversity.
As the campaign gathers momentum, residents are encouraged to visit the 21 designated drop-off locations or make monetary contributions to support the cause. Every bottle donated has the potential to make a life-saving difference in someone’s life, underscoring the profound impact of collective action in building a stronger, more compassionate Mesa.
In the words of Sally Harrison, “Mesa is a wonderful place to live because people genuinely care about one another and look out for their fellow residents. The next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up an extra case or two of water bottles. Or, consider getting your church, your scout group or friends involved in collecting cases of water. Every bottle has the potential to be a life saver, just like this campaign.”
If you or someone you know is looking for a cooling center or hydration station, or you’re interested in general tips about general summer safety in Arizona, check out the City of Mesa’s Summer Help Page.
Written by KC Raguay
