Around the holidays, at-risk children are among the most in need. One focus of the Tucson Electric Power Community Action Team is to support charities that help at-risk children.

Through CAT, employees have formed tight connections with many nonprofit agencies that serve children in foster care, combat youth homelessness and support children’s financial education, among other things.

In November and December, employees take part in many projects that support children. They volunteer at community kitchens, shop with children for much-needed winter clothes and adopt agencies during holiday gift tag drives.

Partner agencies include Casa de los Ninos, Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center and Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, to name a few. TEP employees provide much-needed support during the busy – and needy – holiday season.

For the second year in a row, CAT and the TEP Riders, an employee motorcycle club led by its President David Vasquez, will be lead sponsors of the Dec. 7 Kruzin’ for Kidz Holiday Parade benefiting Aviva Children’s Services. Last year, more than 600 riders throughout the community participated in the parade, helping raise close to $20,000.

Aviva provides support to more than 4,200 children in CPS foster care. Sadly, the number of Tucson children in foster care keeps rising. Aviva’s mission is to provide every child with winter necessities and a toy to make sure they are not forgotten during the holidays.

“We are determined to meet this need and bring joy into the hearts and on the faces of every one of these children,” said Mel Dulaney, Community Relations Coordinator and Parade Vice Chairwoman. “TEP wants the community to know that these children are not forgotten.”

TEP produced a public service announcement that is running on Comcast stations in Tucson thanks to a generous donation of air time.