As the holidays approach each year, our employees step up to spread joy and lend helping hands to celebrate the season in our neighborhoods and our community.
Here are five ways we are deepening relationships this year.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
When temperatures were still in the 100s, TEP employees were already collaborating with Winterhaven neighbors to plan for chilly nights ahead at the annual Festival of Lights.
On Dec. 4, the preparations paid off when our line crews and other employees hoisted strings of lights and sparkly ornaments on the tallest pine trees in the midtown neighborhood. Our bucket trucks were used so lineworkers could reach the highest branches.
Since 2017, TEP has sponsored this popular Tucson tradition in which households create elaborate displays at their homes. Opening night is Dec. 13.
In addition to the merriment, TEP volunteers help collect food and cash donations on select nights for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Look for our volunteers on Dec. 13, 17, 20 and 21. Our energy-efficiency experts will also be there on Dec. 13 and 21.
Holiday Harvest Food Drive
Winterhaven isn’t the only place where TEP is supporting the food bank.
Before Thanksgiving, TEP employees began collecting food and donations to prepare for holiday feasts.
On Nov. 13, we participated in the annual Holiday Harvest Food Drive at Sam’s Club where patrons can make contributions to the food bank.
TEP provided volunteers to collect the donations, as well as a $20,000 matching grant for cash donations. Earlier in November, TEP dedicated an additional $50,000 to the food bank because of the great needs in the community.
Boys and Girls Clubs Shopping Spree
More than 100 employee volunteers will awaken before dawn to shop with local children for clothes and gifts at Kohls on Dec. 20.
Each year, our employees make it a tradition to support members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson at the morning shopping spree before the store opens to general guests.
TEP’s President & CEO Susan Gray serves as an ex officio member of the clubs’ Board of Directors.
ZooLights: Holiday Magic
On Dec. 4, TEP employees helped flip the switch to turn on the sparkles at Reid Park Zoo’s annual holiday display, extending our leadership and partnership with the venue.
ZooLights run nearly nightly at the local zoo, where more than a million lights and festive scenes adorn the pathways and grounds.
Our employees also used their creativity to add décor.
This year, TEP’s welders created a python sculpture for the display. This continues an annual tradition with welders previously crafting and donating a tiger, alligator, hippo, giraffe, sloth and anteater sculptures over the years. Check out the fun here.
In November, our volunteers assisted zoo staff with assembling a lighted gingerbread house photo opportunity.
Our energy-efficiency experts will be on hand on select nights.
Elsewhere in the community, TEP is also supporting seasonal glow at the Tucson Botanical Gardens’ LightsUp and Tohono Chul’s Holiday Nights, which TEP volunteers helped set up in early November.
Employee Donations
Each year, TEP’s volunteer leaders place holiday drive boxes at our office locations to collect donations for a variety of local nonprofit organizations that support community members through the holiday season.
This year’s donations included a range of gifts, including toys, pet food, socks and blankets.
Our Women in Energy group assembled care packages for Sister Jose Women’s Center, a Tucson-based nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting women experiencing homelessness.
