May 1, 2026
Water. Rest. Shade campaign raises funds for heat relief efforts
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TUCSON – Primavera Foundation has partnered with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to offer essential heat relief services throughout the summer months through the Water. Rest. Shade. Campaign.
Every donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by TEP up to $25,000. Donors can give $5, $25, $50, $75, $100, or $500 and help keep our unhoused neighbors cool.
“As the summer months approach, we are concerned for the safety and well-being of our unhoused friends and neighbors,” said Primavera CEO Tisha Tallman. “The extreme temperatures are hard on all of us, but they are especially dangerous for those who live outside.”
The community’s support will help fund cooling centers at the men’s and women’s shelters, and the Primavera Resource Center, where participants receive much-needed water, rest, shade, and other emergency resources.
“Extreme heat puts our most vulnerable neighbors at real risk, and no one should have to face it alone,” said Lynne Petersen, Senior Director of Customer Experience at Tucson Electric Power. “Supporting heat‑relief efforts like Water. Rest. Shade. is one way we can help protect our most vulnerable neighbors and strengthen the communities we serve.”
Primavera’s mobile outreach team will be in the community, offering heat-relief supplies and services, including transportation to Primavera’s cooling centers. Funds will also provide heat relief at STAR Village, Primavera’s safe, outdoor sleeping space for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Last year’s collaboration with TEP and Primavera’s Water, Rest, Shade campaign provided 13,000 heat relief services and resources to thousands of community members at Primavera’s Resource Center drop-in center, the Primavera Men’s Shelter, and Casa Paloma.
Between May and October of last year, Primavera operated three cooling centers, providing community members a place to rest, recharge, and obtain supplies such as water, cooling towels, hydration packets, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, sandals, snacks, and water stations.
The Water. Rest. Shade. Campaign. launches Friday, May 1, by asking people to:
- Click here to give $5, $25, $50, $75, $100 or $500
- Forward this email to 5 or more friends and ask them to do the same
- Share Primavera’s social media posts about this call to action to help reach as many people as possible. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #WaterRestShade, and tag Primavera Foundation and TEP
Double your impact! All gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar (up to $25,000) by our partner, TEP.
Organizations and individuals wishing to make a matching gift or for more information on this campaign may reach out to Primavera’s Philanthropy and Donor Connections Officer, Pete Corrigan, at pcorrigan@primavera.org.
About Primavera
Primavera co-creates pathways out of poverty through outreach, housing, workforce development, financial education and homeownership, and comprehensive community development.
About TEP
TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to 457,000 customers in Southern Arizona and maintains one of the nation’s most reliable electric grids. For more than 130 years, TEP has invested in the energy infrastructure that powers homes, businesses, and community institutions while advancing toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future. Learn more at tep.com.
TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy, are part of a group of companies led by Fortis, a leading North American energy company.
For more information, visit fortisinc.com
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Media contacts:
Primavera Foundation
Margarita Bauza
(520) 308-3055
mbauza@primavera.org
TEP
Joseph Barrios
(520) 884-3725
jbarrios@uesaz.com