The 13th Annual Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign starts Monday, June 3. This year's goal is to collect 400,000 bottles of water to help people in need during the extreme summer heat.
With temperatures about to hit triple digits on a regular basis, the City of Mesa is working with nonprofit agencies and businesses to provide supplies of water to people in need. Residents will be asked to donate water at various drop-off locations throughout the City:
"The campaign is a life saver for the less fortunate during the hot summer months. Our residents have been extremely generous in donating bottles of water in previous years and I know they are ready to do so again this year," Mesa Mayor John Giles said.
In addition to collecting bottles of water, the Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign raises awareness of the importance of staying hydrated. That is why the Mesa Water Resources Department is installing Hydration Stations in the downtown area to provide a sustainable source of drinking water to people outside in the heat, including those most vulnerable to triple digit temperatures. A news conference to launch the campaign was held this morning at Mesa Main Library, 64 E. First St., where the first Hydration Station was recently installed.
"The addition of the new Hydration Stations in Downtown can really be a game changer when it comes to making sure people are getting the hydration they need. Not only are they available day and night for those who need them, they are environmentally friendly," Councilmember Jen Duff said. "Our goal is to get water to as many people who need it as possible, and these stations will enable us to help more people than ever stay hydrated."
Two other Hydration Stations were recently installed at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., and Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St. Donations to fund more of the stations will be accepted at www.mesaaz.gov/H2Omesa.
United Food Bank distributes donated water to numerous nonprofit organizations in Mesa and throughout the valley including Paz De Cristo, Mesa United Way and A New Leaf-East Valley Men's Center.
Since the campaign began in 2007, more than 3.7 million bottles of water have been donated.
"Water is a basic necessity for human life. The Hydration Donation Campaign is an easy way to help our vulnerable neighbors during the heat of summer. $5 buys a case of water. I hope the community will step up and help by making a monetary or water donation to this campaign," United Food Bank President and CEO Dave Richins said.
Residents can donate water at various drop-off locations throughout the City:
Red Mountain Multigenerational Center
7550 E. Adobe
5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday
Rhodes Aquatics Complex
1860 S. Longmore
1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Monday - Friday
1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
(Pool open daily through Aug. 5, weekends through Labor Day)
Donating at the Rhodes Aquatics Complex Monday through Friday will provide a two-for-one admission to the pool. This does not include the FlowRider.
Mesa Main Library
64 E. First St.
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Thursday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday - Saturday
Red Mountain Library
635 N. Power Road
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Thursday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday - Saturday
Dobson Ranch Library
2425 S. Dobson Road
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Thursday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday - Saturday
United Food Bank
245 S. Nina Drive
6 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
Paz de Cristo
424 W. Broadway
7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday - Friday
A New Leaf - East Valley Men's Center
2345 N. Country Club Drive
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Daily
The Salvation Army
Mesa Citadel Corps
241 E. 6th St.
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday
Superstition Springs Center - Management office (upper level near food court)
6555 E. Southern Ave.
8:30 a.m. - Noon and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday or call security at any time (480) 641-1052
Mesa Chamber of Commerce
165 N. Centennial Way, Suite 208
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
Mesa Community College - Southern and Dobson
1833 W. Southern Ave.
24-hour drop-off at MCC College Police - Building SC 14
Mesa Community College - Red Mountain
7110 E. McKellips Road
24-hour drop-off at MCC College Police - Ironwood Building
Southern Pavilion Self Storage
7110 E. Southern Ave.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday
Dobson Ranch Homeowners Association
La Casita Recreation Center
2719 S. Reyes
8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday
Keller Williams Integrity First Realty
2500 S. Power Road, Suite 121
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
The Kenny Klaus Team
Keller Williams Integrity First Realty
2919 S. Ellsworth Road #133
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
Three of the drop-off locations for donated water, Paz de Cristo, The Salvation Army and East Valley Men's Center, will also serve as "hydration cooling stations" for people in need to get off the streets, rest, cool off and receive food and water during excessive heat warnings in the valley.
The Mesa Hydration Donation campaign is a stark reminder of the dangers of summer heat in Arizona, which first responders encounter daily.
"The risks of dehydration are great for anyone exposed to the triple digit temperatures, especially those who are unsheltered or don't have a place to easily get out of the sun," Mesa Fire and Medical Community Outreach Administrator Michele Long said. "Without donations of water, the outcomes of our emergency responses to cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke would be much worse."
The Mesa Chamber of Commerce is encouraging businesses and community groups to organize campaigns to collect water for the campaign.
"The Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign is a great way for businesses, nonprofit groups and other associations to network and organize efforts to collect cases of water," Mesa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sally Harrison said. "For the past few years, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce has organized friendly competitions to get water donations and help a great life-saving cause and we are happy to lead the efforts again this summer
One way to boost donations is the One Ton Water Challenge. Promoted by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, United Food Bank and the City of Mesa, it challenges businesses, residents and organizations to buy a pallet of water, which weighs more than one ton, for under $150. Individuals can split the cost so it's 75 dollars each. To donate a pallet, contact Melissa Forrester at mforrester@unitedfoodbank.org.
The campaign kickoff event included several donations, such as a semi truck containing 18 pallets of water from Walmart, more than 26,000 bottles from State Farm. four tons of water donated by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce Superstition Leads Group and a pallet of water from JacksonWhite Attorneys at Law.
The Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign will be collecting water until Friday, September 27. For more information, visit www.mesaaz.gov/H2Omesa.
Public Information & Communications
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov