Governor Doug Ducey today announced EPCOR has donated $50,000 to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund, supporting Arizona families, medical professionals and those in need. The fund has received more than $8.5 million in donations, which is being used to mitigate the medical, financial and social impacts of COVID-19 in Arizona.
“Arizonans have continued to stand together and help each other these last few months,” said Governor Ducey. “Arizona is focused on supporting those in need—protecting the vulnerable, expanding access to nutritious meals, providing PPE to medical professionals and more—and this generous donation strengthens those efforts. Thank you to EPCOR and all our partners for supporting Arizonans as we work to return stronger.”
EPCOR’s $50,000 donation to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund is the latest step taken by the company to support Arizonans affected by COVID-19. Since March, EPCOR has offered bill payment assistance for customers whose employment has been disrupted or who have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
“Supporting our communities is the heart of what we do and that is, perhaps, more vital than ever before,” said Joe Gysel, President of EPCOR USA. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tragic and far-reaching impact on our state, and we are honored to be able to support Governor Ducey’s AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund and help Arizona return stronger together.”
“The AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund Committee is very grateful for this significant donation from EPCOR,” said AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund Committee Chair Eileen Klein. “We are proud to play a role in supporting Arizonans statewide who are most in need during this pandemic. Thank you to the entire EPCOR team for your leadership and generosity.”
A first round of grant funding from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund was approved last month for nonprofit organizations totaling nearly $1,500,000. The funding focuses on the following efforts:
- Keeping students safe and on-track with learning, with a special emphasis on children of essential workers, first responders, families with limited income, foster children and children with special needs;
- Preventing hunger and ensuring access to meals and adequate nutrition through food banks and local food pantries statewide;
- And providing services and care for senior citizens and other adults who need extended care at home, especially those with limited incomes, to ensure that Arizona residents with special needs and their caregivers have continuity of care and support.
In addition to the first round of grant funding, the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation in April donated $5 million to support the purchase of PPE, including 1.1 million N-95 masks. As the equipment is received, the Arizona Department of Health Services will distribute it to county health departments across the state.
The Governor established the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund as part of the Arizona Together initiative, connecting individuals and businesses to resources, raising money for community organizations and providing information on volunteer opportunities.
Other contributions to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund include $1 million from Michael Bidwill, Chairman and President of the Arizona Cardinals; $1 million from Jerry Simms, owner of Turf Paradise Race Course; and contributions from Arizona Public Service (APS), Southwest Gas, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Waymo, VanTrust Real Estate, Valley Toyota Dealers, Salt River Project (SRP) and Western Alliance Bank.
Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund can learn more about how to contribute at ArizonaTogether.org. Arizona Together also highlights organizations, businesses and individuals stepping up to help one another and provide support wherever needed. Stories about Arizonans helping frontline workers, vulnerable populations and businesses in need of support can be found at ArizonaTogether.org/thearizonaway.
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