This year, DBP teamed up with the Salvation Army to raise awareness and collect water bottles for their heat relief stations around the Valley. What started out as a small company goal of 3,000 water bottles, turned into a community-wide event that resulted in raising 124,094 water bottles for the Salvation Army’s efforts. DBP split employees into three different teams each led by a partner: First place was Team Tsunami led by CR Duley with 77,680 water bottles, second place was the Thirst Quenchers led by Andy Bolwar with 23,634 water bottles, and in third place was the Super Soakers led by John Pederson with 22,780 water bottles. On May 6^th, DBP hosted a Water Drive Celebration to thank those that made the collection of almost 125,000 water bottles possible.

While Phoenix boasts some of the most beautiful weather most of the year, it is no secret that summer can bring dangerously hot temperatures and even the most experienced Phoenicians find themselves in positions where they need water, cooling towels or the ability to recharge in an air-conditioned environment. This is how the Salvation Army’s Heat Relief Stations save lives every year. After the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning, the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services responds by utilizing their Emergency Heat Relief Stations around the Valley. When asked about the importance of these stations, Salvation Army’s Edward Salazar says, “The Salvation Army’s heat relief stations make a huge impact in all of our communities. Excessive heat affects everyone but those without access to air-conditioned shelter and cold bottled water are at a much greater risk of heat exhaustion. These locations offer respite, shelter and spiritual counsel for anyone in need.”

These stations are for anyone and everyone in need to go for cooling and rehydration.  On a day where an Excessive Heat Warning is enacted, you can find these Heat Relief stations at the following locations from 11:00am – 5:00pm:

• Apache Junction– Apache Junction Corps, 605 E. Broadway Ave.
• Avondale– Estrella Mountain Corps, 11 N. Third Ave.
• Chandler – Chandler Corps, 85 E. Saragosa St.
• Glendale – Glendale Corps, 6010 W. Northern Ave.
• Mesa– Mesa Corps, 241 E. Sixth St.
• Phoenix
  • Phoenix Citadel Corps, 628 N. Third Ave.
  • Phoenix Maryvale Corps, 4318 W. Clarendon Ave.
  • Ray & Joan Kroc Center Phoenix, 1375 E. Broadway Road
  • The Salvation Army Phoenix Family Services Office, 2707 E. Van Buren St., Bldg. 2

• Surprise– North West Valley Corps, 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts Blvd.
• Tempe– Tempe Corps, 40 E. University Drive

Click the link to hear what our partners at Salvation Army had to say about DBP’s Water Drive and the Heat Relief stations!
https://fb.watch/5k_MDGkYY5/