City News
Help Scottsdale’s Most Vulnerable Residents Beat the Heat This Summer By Ethan Kispert EVERY SUMMER, THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE BRINGS RELIEF TO LOW INCOME, HOMEBOUND AND ISOLATED SENIORS THROUGH ITS BEAT THE HEAT PROGRAM. Like in years past, the city is reaching out to local community members to help it continue to support some of Scottsdale’s most vulnerable residents. “We just want to make sure that they’re healthy and that they have enough items for the summertime,” says Anya Wright, a human services representative at the Via Linda Senior Center. To help, locals can donate a range of items. ACCEPTED ITEMS: • Reusable water bottles • Drinks (bottled water, Ensure/Boost regular and sugar-free, Gatorade, Propel) • Nutritional supplements • Healthy store-bought snacks that are individually wrapped (pretzels, raisins, crackers, trail mix, protein bars) • Ice packs • Toilet paper • Tissue • Paper towels • Shampoo
• Conditioner • Bodywash • Toothbrushes • Toothpaste • Soap • Hand sanitizer • Small fans • Chapstick • Deodorant • Lotion • Sunscreen • Book of forever stamps • $35 Fry’s gift cards Any senior who enrolls in the program will be visited by the city’s human services staff that will provide them with a care package. Each package will consist of a reusable bag, drinks, snacks, toiletries, note pads, pens, a book of stamps, and a $35 Fry’s gift card. Staff with the City of Scottsdale will coordinate getting the donations to whoever needs them and assisting them with other needs that may arise. “Your donation will truly make a difference that has a lasting impact,” says Jennifer Murphy, a human services supervisor with the City of Scottsdale. “Items donated are delivered by caring staff that complete
a brief assessment to determine any additional needs. The smiles of appreciation from our senior participants are priceless.” Anyone who wishes to come and drop a donation off can go to the Via Linda Senior Center, located at 10440 E. Via Linda. The drop-off center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and items will be accepted through May 28. The group is also accepting monetary donations, which they note is the most
helpful. Checks can be made payable to Scottsdale Community Partners at the address of 7700 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale, AZ 85257. You can also donate online at scottsdalecommunitypartners. org/donate. For more information, contact Anya Wright at 480-312-5811 or send an email to AWright@scottsdaleaz.gov. More information can also be found at scottsdalecommunitypartners.org.
Scottsdale Honors Veterans Across the State With a New Video and Podcast Series HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VETERANS CALL SCOTTSDALE AND OTHER ARIZONA COMMUNITIES HOME - BUT MANY DO SO WITH LITTLE ATTENTION OR FANFARE. VETERANS AZ IS A NEW VIDEO AND PODCAST SERIES THAT SHARES THEIR STORIES AND FOCUSES ATTENTION ON THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT SERVE VETERANS IN THE VALLEY. The first episode of Veterans AZ was launched on a very special day: March 29, which is National Vietnam War Veterans Day, established in 2012 as the one day each year that we specifically honor and thank veterans who served in the longest conflict in U.S. history. Vietnam veterans comprise the largest living group of veterans in the nation, men and women who sacrificed and served with honor, but rarely received a “welcome home.” 4 • May 2021 • SCOTTSDALE NORTH NEWS
This episode of Veterans AZ features a conversation with Mike Burns, a Scottsdale resident who, in 1965, was in charge of 200 young Marines in the unfamiliar territory of South Vietnam. Also featured is Tom Kirk, Unites States Air Force, a resident of Anthem, who flew 67 combat missions over Vietnam until the fateful day when he was shot down, beginning more than five years as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. A vignette is included that tells the story of Jay Vargas, from Winslow, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions above and beyond the call of duty leading his Marine regiment in Vietnam. Veterans AZ is produced as part of the Scottsdale Veterans Advisory Commission’s efforts to increase communication and awareness about veterans, their
accomplishments, and the services and organizations supporting those who have worn the uniform of the United States armed forces. This program is produced by the City of Scottsdale, but features veterans’ news and information from across the Valley of the Sun and Arizona. Local governments are encouraged to contact the City of Scottsdale about carrying Veterans AZ on Arizona government channels. Find video episodes at VeteransAZ.org, and listen in your favorite podcast app. myhyperlocalnews.com
