Mesa, known for its blistering summers, has a reason to celebrate a little cooler this year. The city's annual Hydration Donation Campaign has set a new record, amassing an astounding 1,014,160 bottles of water for people who are vulnerable to the extreme heat. This impressive figure shattered their initial goal of collecting 700,000 bottles and went far beyond the previous high-water mark of 836,154 bottles set in 2015. The campaign, which kicked off on May 6 and wrapped on September 27, saw widespread participation from local residents and businesses, according to a recent news release from the City of Mesa.
The contributions, notably bolstered by five organizations' donations of 36 pallets, pushed the tally past the one million bottle mark late in the campaign. The Mesa Chamber of Commerce facilitated significant donations, including EdgeCore and Holder Construction's joint donation of 78,696 bottles. A notable gesture from the educational sector came from Superstition Springs Elementary, which contributed more than 33,500 bottles just before the end of the school year, as reported by the City of Mesa.
In a statement praised by the local leadership, Mayor John Giles commented, "Getting a record number of bottles during record-breaking heat for the Hydration Donation Campaign shows that Mesa is a community of caring people who are willing to come together to support a tremendous cause." Similarly, United Food Bank's President and CEO Jason Reed expressed his gratitude, remarking, "We’re truly thankful for the incredible support we received during this year’s Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign. Thanks to the generosity of our residents, businesses, and community organizations, we didn’t just meet our goal – we exceeded it. Once again, our community came together to make a big impact." These comments were detailed in the press release by City of Mesa.
United Food Bank will distribute the collected water to several nonprofits across the valley, including Mesa United Way and A New Leaf-East Valley Men's Center. The extraordinary level of community involvement was also highlighted by Sally Harrison, President and CEO of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, who thanked local Chamber members and friends for their overwhelming response, further illustrating the sense of community that characterizes Mesa. Contributing to the collective effort were notable companies like Walmart and Niagara, which together donated in excess of 70,000 bottles for the campaign's kickoff. This concerted effort ensures that hydration reaches many who face the formidable heat of Mesa's summer months, according to details shared by the City of Mesa.
