While other states brace for hurricanes or tornadoes, Arizona faces a different threat: extreme heat. Since 2014, over 3,200 people in Maricopa County have lost their lives due to heat-related causes. Heat is also the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States. With support from Verizon, Valley of the Sun United Way is one of 14 local United Ways taking part in a nationwide movement to strengthen disaster preparedness, focusing on heat relief and extreme heat readiness in our community to meet growing demands.
“With Verizon’s support, we are preparing our nonprofit partners and those they serve be respond to any disaster,” said Twyla Marcrum, Vice President of Donor Engagement at Valley of the Sun United Way. “Partnerships like ours with Verizon are essential to meeting the growing demands for heat relief in Arizona, especially with our most vulnerable populations, such as seniors, people impacted by homelessness and young children.”
“No one can predict the future, but each of us can take steps to prepare for the unknown.” Twyla added.
It may appear to be simple, but one of the most instrumental ways in which Valley of the Sun United Way provides heat relief resources for the community is through heat relief kits.
What’s Inside a Heat Relief Kit?
Due to the heat relief crisis rapidly accelerating since 2019, the demand for kits has skyrocketed as well.
Through countless volunteer events, our role in the Maricopa County Heat Relief Network, and the generous support of donors, Valley of the Sun United Way is curating heat relief kits to directly meet the needs of the community. These kits contain items that vulnerable populations seek during the year’s hottest months.
This includes:
-Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses – providing protection to the body
-Lip balm and lotion – providing relief to highly sensitive and exposed body parts
-Cooling towels – which help lower body temperature quickly, preventing heat exhaustion
-Electrolyte packets – which help replenish the body after suffering from heat stroke
-Reusable water bottles – ensuring consistent hydration
“In a corporate or community kit build volunteer event, we will provide supplies, set up an assembly line, and assist with facilitating the volunteers,” said Katie Frederick, Director of Volunteer Engagement. “Once completed, we coordinate distribution to our nonprofit partners who get the kits to the people who need them the most. We focus on members of the Maricopa County Heat Relief Network who are supporting heat relief efforts with cooling and respite centers around the Valley.”
In the last year, Valley of the Sun United Way engaged more than 9,000 volunteers in this effort, distributing 26,122 heat relief kits and 21,280 bottles of water into the community, getting into the hands of those who need relief.
“Corporate and community member sponsorship and volunteer assistance with builds is how we are able to build and distribute thousands of kits a year,” Katie added. “Our efforts and continued commitment to our community wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and support of our partners, volunteers, and donors!”
Getting Relief to Those Who Need It Most
One of the organizations that Valley of the Sun United Way partners with to distribute heat relief kits is Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA), who is also a part of the Maricopa County Heat Relief Network.
“For individuals experiencing homelessness or families without reliable cooling, these kits provide immediate, life-saving resources,” said Bob Branstetter, Director of Programs at
Tempe Community Action Agency. “Beyond the physical items, the kits also send a powerful message: someone cares, and you are not alone in facing the challenges of Summer in our desert climate.”
TCAA distributes the kits through multiple channels to ensure they reach those most at risk. This includes shelter participants, individuals accessing their food pantry, seniors in their home-delivered meals program, and individuals visiting their hydration center.
The kits are significant to people who are most at risk of our extreme heat. One kit was collected by an individual experiencing homelessness, who came to TCAA’s shelter seeking support.
“He had been walking for hours with no shade and little water on a 115-degree day,” Bob shared. “When we gave him a heat relief kit, he immediately used the cooling towel and began drinking the electrolyte water. He told us, ‘This is the first time I’ve felt relief all day.’”
That kit, which originally started at Valley of the Sun United Way with the support of our donors, made its way to TCAA not just to cool him down – it gave him the relief needed to avoid a dangerous medical crisis.
“Valley of the Sun United Way provides not only the kits themselves, but the resources, coordination, and community awareness that amplify our impact,” added Bob. “The support allows us to respond faster during extreme heat events. At TCAA, our vision is to create a community where everyone can live safely. Valley of the Sun United Way’s support in our heat relief efforts helps turn that vision into action – offering immediate protection from the elements while connecting people to longer-term services that promote stability and health.”
United, We Prepare
In addition to holding heat relief kit builds and distributing thousands of kits across our community, Valley of the Sun United Way is expanding its efforts by hosting a Disaster Preparedness Forum in September, which is Disaster Preparedness Month. This forum is specifically for small nonprofits and grassroots partners. Participants will receive disaster preparedness training and toolkits, ensuring that their organization, their local communities and families they serve are prepared for any disaster, long before they strike.
For 100 years, Valley of the Sun United Way has worked to create a resilient Maricopa County – one that is consistently mobilized and ready for whatever may come next. With the partnership of Verizon and other local United Ways across the country, Valley of the Sun United Way will instill the confidence that comes from being prepared into our community.
Join us in building life-saving kits or donating to heat relief efforts. Learn more at vsuw.org/heatrelief.
