How can I help?
1. Give online to help support The Salvation Army's life-saving heat relief efforts.​
2. Donate cases of water (preferably standard 16.9 ounce bottles) at any of our heat relief stations.
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3. Volunteer at a heat relief station by contacting your local Salvation Army location or by calling 602-267-4100.
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4. Check in on neighbors that might be at risk of dehydration or heat-related health issues.
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The Salvation Army wishes to thank key partners APS, Assured Partners DBP, Avondale Toyota, Delta Dental, DripDrop, Ford, Plexus, and SRP for the significant donations of funding, water and product they’ve provided in support of our heat relief efforts this year. for the significant donations of funding, water and product they’ve provided this year.
The Dangers of Heat
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Statistics
According to the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), there have been an average of nearly 200 heat-associated deaths per year in Maricopa County since 2014.
Sun Poisoning or Sunburn
These can be a lot more serious that people realize. People may be dehydrated and not know how much fluid they need to replenish. Second and third-degree burns can result from over exposure to sun, and to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours.
If you do burn, avoid products labeled 'aloe vera gel' because many do not contain aloe vera and are actually petroleum products that keep heat in.
Heat Cramps
Symptoms include painful, involuntary muscle spasms from heavy exercise or strenuous physical activity in the heat. To remedy, drink juice or sports drink to replenish fluids and electrolytes.
Heat Exhaustion
This is the second most serious problem associated with over exposure to heat. Symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid pulse, faintness, dizziness, and exhaustion is caused by exposure to high heat and strenuous physical activity.
To treat: rest in a cool place, rehydrate with cool water or sports drinks, cool down with a cool shower or cool, wet towels.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is the most serious problem of exposure to heat and can be life threatening.
Symptoms include high body temperature, altered mental state, nausea, vomiting, caused by exposure to a hot environment and strenuous activity. In instances of heatstroke, seek immediate medical help. Medical personnel will try to lower a person's body temperature as quickly as possible through immersion in cold water, cooling blankets or ice packs.
People make poor choices because they don't feel too hot.
Drink eight to 12 glasses of water per day and to increase that by three glasses for every five degrees the temperature is above 100 degrees.
Sodas and alcohol do not keep the body hydrated, so they should be avoided.
Emergency Heat Relief Stations
“Anyone can come into a Salvation Army location for indoor cooling and hydration during regular operating hours, but when the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning, The Salvation Army considers it a disaster situation,” said Major Tim Smith, The Salvation Army Divisional Secretary for Metro Phoenix, “so our Emergency Disaster Services ‘activates’ our heat relief stations to another level, with extra signage directing people to each location and some locations having canopies outside to give water to passersby. Salvation Army officers and staff will also take water to those in need around their neighborhoods.”
The following heat relief stations in the Valley will be “activated” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on any day the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning, including weekends (excluding federal holidays):
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Apache Junction – Apache Junction Corps, 605 E. Broadway Ave.
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Avondale – Estrella Mountain Corps, 11 N. Third Ave.
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Chandler – Chandler Corps, 85 E. Saragosa St.
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Glendale - Glendale Corps, 6010 W. Northern Ave.
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Mesa – Mesa Corps, 241 E. Sixth St.
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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
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Surprise – North West Valley Corps, 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts Blvd.
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Tempe – Tempe Corps, 40 E. University Drive
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Most of our Valley heat relief stations are dog-friendly, so you and your leashed pooch can both come inside to take respite from the elements, as long as safety is maintained.
During an Excessive Heat Warning, mobile hydration units are also dispatched to target additional portions of metro Phoenix to serve as many people as possible.
The Salvation Army gives out nearly 1,500 bottles of water per day during Excessive Heat Warnings and thousands more bottles of water throughout the year … like to first responders who keep our community safe, people displaced by disaster, and tribal communities that have been through difficult times during the pandemic.
These Salvation Army Corps Community Centers in Arizona also provide heat relief to their local communities:
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Flagstaff – Flagstaff Corps, 507 N. Humphreys St.
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Prescott – Prescott Corps, 237 S. Montezuma St.
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Sierra Vista – Sierra Vista Corps, 180 E. Wilcox Drive
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Tucson (Learn more about Tucson’s “Operation Chill Out” here.)
Hospitality House, 1002 N. Main Ave.
All Nations Corps, 1001 N. Richey Blvd.
Amphi Corps Community Center, 218 E. Prince Road -
Yuma – Yuma Corps, 454 W. Catalina Dr.
The Salvation Army gives heat relief to the following Arizona communities as well:
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Bisbee
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Buckeye
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Chino Valley
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Coolidge
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Cornville
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Cottonwood
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Douglas
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Florence
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Pinetop-Lakeside
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Sedona
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Gila Bend
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Show Low
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Winslow