UniSource employees enjoy traditions each year to brighten spirits for the holiday season. We provide food to those who are less fortunate, give gifts to families and support community events.
During the first year of the pandemic, many of our traditions were altered or put on hold. Although COVID-19 continues to spread, we’re taking precautions that have allowed us to safely resume some volunteer activities this year.
“Holiday giving is a gift of love for the human race. We want to reach out to our neighbors who are in need and to spread the love and joy of the holiday spirit,” said Rebecca Quintana, a Planner and Chairwoman of the Show Low Community Action Team, our employee volunteer group. “Being kind and helping friends will truly go a long ways.”
Here are three ways we’re helping our community bond over the holidays:
Giving Gifts
Our employees feel strongly that all children should enjoy a happy holiday season. Each year, they go out of their way to make donations and participate in events to bring cheer to those served by a variety of local nonprofit groups.
Kingman: Employees resumed their tradition of setting up boxes to collect gifts for the Marine Toys for Tots program. Our volunteers started collections in November and will continue through mid-December before distribution starts.
Our employees are known for their generosity – collecting a record 200 toys in 2019, the last drive before the pandemic.
Nogales: Our employee volunteer group provided funds for new jackets, clothes and shoes for local children through the Nogales Lions Club Holiday Clothing Project.
Spreading Holiday Cheer
Prescott: On Veterans Day, UniSource volunteers served the community by preparing for the holidays. Volunteers assisted with transporting decorations and spruced up the Yavapai County Courthouse in advance of the traditional courthouse lighting, held on Dec. 4 following a parade.
Known as Arizona’s Christmas City, the Prescott event with music and lights is a centerpiece of the season.
Lake Havasu City: A stream of boats decorated with festive sparkles took to the waters of Lake Havasu by the London Bridge for the Lake Havasu Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. On Dec. 4, UniSource served as a sponsor, making a contribution to the Lake Havasu Yacht Club.
Feeding Our Communities
Nogales: We helped local schools provide families with the makings for a full Thanksgiving dinner, including turkeys, pumpkin pies and vegetables. This year, UniSource donated funds for 28 food boxes distributed to students in most need at seven schools in Santa Cruz County.
UniSource employees work with Villa’s Market and the Community Food Bank to pack the boxes.
Kingman: As longtime supporters of the Kingman Area Food Bank, UniSource employees in our Kingman office held a food drive in November to help meet the community’s Thanksgiving and holiday needs.
Show Low: Some of our employees joined local residents in skipping a meal or two and donating the money they saved to local charities during the Community Fast of Compassion in November. UniSource also contributed funds to this cause, helping local organizations support families in need over the holidays.
This story is part of our ongoing series highlighting UniSource’s philanthropic focus areas. UniSource works with nonprofit partners to develop invitation-based donation requests for community assistance efforts. Funds come from corporate resources, not customers’ rates. Learn more about our donations.
