With the temperatures rising, many community organizations need support and donations to provide water to those in need. For several years, Sarah Tokosh, a paraeducator at Indian Bend Elementary School, has spearheaded a bottled water drive to give to a local charity.
“Water is an important necessity in Arizona,” Tokosh says. “With summer temperatures expected above 110 degrees, water is needed for survival on the streets.”
Before school closed for the summer, staff and students at Indian Bend Elementary School collected 32,338 bottles of water that were donated to Never Alone, inc., a local nonprofit that provides outreach to the homeless.
Giovanni Contreras, a fifth-grade student, collected an impressive 1,240 bottles. The United Parent Council, Realty ONE, and EPIQ Lending donated 12,000 bottles and 100 umbrellas for those in need as well.
“In a year where not a lot of student events are happening, it is nice to see our students roll up their sleeves and get excited to get behind such a great cause,” says Principal Jan Stevens. “I am truly proud of the way our school came together to provide such a great service to our community. Go Thunderbirds!”
