In the past year APS employees, friends and families have walked, climbed, bowled and cleaned all in the name of charity. They've been waiters and elves as well as philanthropists assisting their fellow humans. One only need look at projects like the APS Volunteer Matching Gifts program as a benchmark of the company's spirit of giving. "Every charitable event and project APS employees and their families show up in en mass and it's a testament to something that's so intrinsic to our company. It's hard to put into words, but our people truly are Team APS," said Maria Maskell, volunteer coordinator. "The matching gifts program also is a reflection of the employees' willingness to give, both in terms of money and time." Last year, the Matching Gifts program yielded more than $29,000 for non-profit organizations in addition to the hundreds of volunteer hours put in by employees. The program provides $125 grants to qualified non-profit agencies getting at least 25 volunteer hours from APS employees. It also matches any financial gift from an employee to a qualified non-profit organization by providing 50 cents to every employee dollar, up to $1,000. "Our employees do so much good, charitable work, the company goal is to acknowledge and honor each of them," Maskell said. In that same vain, we've included a list of only a handful of the many projects and hours invested by APS volunteers. In many instances, these charitable projects span more than a decade, bringing annual support to non-profits. And frequently, APS volunteers are leaders setting the course for these events. But the list, which isn't comprehensive, doesn't begin to describe the hard work of our volunteers: American Diabetes Association Walk for Diabetes - Led by Jack Davis, who served as the event's 2005 chairman, Team APS was named one of the top fundraisers with nearly 100 walkers raising more than $16,000. American Heart Association's Heart Walk - Last year more than 80 Team APS members participated in the walk in Tempe collecting just under $13,000. These funds supported research, education and community outreach by the AHA. Back-to-School Clothing Drive Association - APS volunteers impacted the lives of more than 5,000 low-income children through this organization by distributing clothes, shoes, and a backpack filled with personal hygiene items. APS has participated for more than 10 years. Black Heritage Celebration - Drawing a crowd of more than 2,000 visitors, APS volunteers supported this event which funds two $1,000 scholarships for Phoenix-area students raising $7,900 last year. BHC began in 1999. Climb to Conquer Cancer - Ten APS teams of 489 APS employees, friends and family members participated in this 5.5-mile trek at Phoenix's South Mountain Park. Through this event participants raised more than $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. APS has participated for more than 20 years. Disaster Relief Efforts - APS employees raised $54,000 for Asia's tsunami survivors through organizations like the Red Cross, UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity. Later in the year, employees volunteered and raised more than $161,000 for Hurricane Katrina victims. Day for Downtown - APS volunteers joined a citywide effort to beautify downtown Phoenix producing 2,200 community service hours to 11 non-profit organizations and schools. APS employees did yard work and housecleaning at Home Base Youth Services, a non-profit agency for at-risk and homeless youth. Holiday Food Drive - APS employees and retirees collected more than $15,000 and 4,400 cans of food for St. Mary's/Westside Food Bank Alliance. Employees' generous donations helped provide more the 75,439 meals to families in need. Hula Bowl - Through this annual bowl-a-thon, APS employees raised $3,907 plus an additional $675 in company-paid registration fees to send 250 Arizona children to Junior Achievement, a non-profit economic education program. Pappas Fall Festival - Forty APS volunteers brightened the lives of 850 homeless children in grades K-6 attending Thomas J. Pappas School by stuffing goodie bags, decorating, and putting on this festival. Santa Letters - More than 100 APS volunteers, also known as Santa's elves, answered more than 1,200 letters in December to Kris Kringle from Arizona boys and girls of all ages. St. Mary's/Westside Food Bank Steak Fry - Last year, 90 APS employees, friends and family raised $23,000 for this annual event. Funds benefited more than 400 charities across the state, which receive food from the Westside Food Bank. APS volunteers have worked the steak fry for more than 15 years.
March 16, 2006 |
