APS partners with other businesses to brighten Yuma’s future
As the community affairs manager for the Southwest Division of Arizona at APS, I have one of the best jobs in the state. I get to see every day how APS and numerous other groups are working together to make Yuma and our great state even better. APS takes great pride in delivering safe, reliable power that meets the needs of our customers and the communities we serve.
But our commitment goes far beyond what happens when you turn on your lights. APS annually donates $10 million to charitable programs in Arizona. Our charitable giving dollars are funded by our shareholders, who value that communities are central to our mission and values as a company. We also know that if we join efforts with other community-minded businesses, we can make an even bigger impact.
With spring training in full force, it’s a great time to highlight our community partnership and programs with the Arizona Diamondbacks to help kids have access to America’s favorite pastime. Through our partnership, we fund the construction of baseball fields — complete with lighting and seating areas — across our state. The Armando Reynoso Field at Somerton Middle School was made possible through this program.
Also, since 2006, the Phoenix Suns and APS have partnered to improve and revitalize community basketball courts across Arizona. By resurfacing indoor and outdoor courts and installing new hoops, bleachers and more, this program has allowed youth leagues and organizations to elevate their game by creating a great place to play. In 2010, APS and the Suns dedicated a court at Yuma Windsor Park and came back in 2016 to resurface it to ensure the community continued enjoying it.
Last month, work began on the latest Suns-APS court project: construction of a new wood basketball floor at the Joe Henry Optimist Center Park in the Mesa Heights neighborhood. This court is one of the most used in Yuma as a nearby school utilizes this area for physical education classes, as well as recess. Our partnership will create a safer place to play — and safety is another core value at APS. We expect to dedicate the new indoor court in early April and are thrilled to be playing a part in the overall revital- ization of this neighborhood.
Along with the court construction, APS also partners with the Suns to provide $50,000 each year to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math teachers who are bringing innovative lessons to their classrooms. Seeing how APS is working collaboratively and bringing a brighter future for kids in the Yuma area is extremely fulfilling. I look forward to sharing more ways APS is helping to prepare the next generation of STEM leaders next month.
Overall, I’m excited to see what these future partnerships will bring as we collectively strive to make a meaningful difference for the people and prosperity of Arizona — today, tomorrow and for generations to come.