Mesa hydration campaign hoping to collect 400,000 water bottles

PHOENIX — As the summer heat intensifies, the city of Mesa is holding its 14th annual Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign to help those in need during the hottest months of the year.

This year’s goal is to collect 400,000 water bottles. Since 2007, more than 4.2 million bottles of water have been donated, according to the city’s press release Monday.

The donation campaign is expected to run until September 25.

“The campaign is a life saver for the less fortunate during the hot summer months. This year, with the financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need is even greater,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said in the release.

“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.”

United Food Bank will collect and distribute the donated water to numerous nonprofits in Mesa and throughout the Valley, including Paz De Cristo, Mesa United Way and A New Leaf-East Valley Men’s Center, the release said.

“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 Deputy Chief and Public Information Officer Forrest Smith said in the release.

“Without donations of water, the outcomes of our emergency responses to cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke would be much worse.”

All told, there are 11 locations across the city to donate.

Below is a list of businesses and fire stations taking part in the hydration campaign:

• • Mesa Fire Station 202 – 830 S. Stapley Drive
  • Mesa Fire Station 216 – 7966 E. McDowell Road
  • Mesa Fire Station 217 – 10434 E. Baseline Road
  • Mesa Fire Station 218 – 845 N. Alma School Road
  • Mesa Fire Station 220 – 32 S. 58th St.
  • United Food Bank Volunteer Center – 358 E. Javelina Ave.
  • Paz de Cristo – 424 W. Broadway.
  • A New Leaf – East Valley Men’s Center – 2345 N. Country Club Drive
  • The Salvation Army – Mesa Citadel Corps
  • Keller Williams Integrity First Realty – 2919 S. Ellsworth Road #133
  • Dobson Ranch HOA – La Casita Recreation Center – 2719 S. Reyes

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