Tucson Electric Power donated 125 shade trees to local schools for Arbor Day to commemorate the company’s 125th anniversary.

 Alex McIntyre / For the Arizona Daily Star
  • Tucson Electric Power: TEP donated 125 shade trees to local schools for Arbor Day to commemorate the company’s 125th anniversary. The donations will give students an opportunity to be good stewards of the environment while learning how trees can help conserve energy and reduce the effects of urban heat islands by shading buildings, streets and cars. Nearly 80 Chinese Elm, Netleaf Hackberry and Fern of the Desert varieties were delivered for planting at schools in seven local districts that include Amphitheater High School in Amphitheater School District, Valley View Early Learning Center in Catalina Foothills School District, DeGrazia Elementary in Marana School District, Sahuarita Primary School in Sahuarita School District, Santa Clara Elementary in Sunnyside School District, Tanque Verde Elementary in Tanque Verde School District, and the Vail Innovation Center in Vail School District.
  • The West: The volunteer-run retailer awarded grants to the following nonprofits focused on serving women and children: Aviva Children’s Services, Blessings in a Backpack, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, Erik Hite Foundation, Miracle Square, Mobile Meals of Tucson, Native American Advancement Foundation, Sister Jose Women’s Center, The Shyann Kindness Project and TVLC Weekend Blessing Bags Program. The West is a volunteer-run retail store specializing in gifts, toys, cards and needlework supplies and classes. Store profits are returned to the community in the form of grants to local-area charitable organizations.
  • Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815: Using a $2,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon grant, the lodge purchased breakfast food for the food bank at IMPACT of Southern Arizona. Lodge members assembled 350 bags with food items and delivered them to IMPACT. They will be distributed in May to underprivileged families in addition to their regular food allotment.

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