By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – With triple-digit temperatures in the forecast for the next several days, the Salvation Army Tucson launched Operation Chill Out to help the homeless community.
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According to Chief Meteorologist Erin Christiansen, southern Arizona could hit at least 105 degrees on Wednesday, June 10. Our highs will remain above 100 the next few days, but that could change, and you can check her extended forecast HERE.
The Salvation Army said volunteers went to Reid Park and Anza Park on Monday and served 75 individuals with cold bottled water, snacks, and hygiene care kits.
The program will continue through Friday and could be extended depending on any changes to the forecast.
Operation Chill Out, which runs June 1 through Aug. 31, kicks into gear on days when temperatures are forecasted to be 102 or higher.
So the Salvation Army is asking for donations so it can continue to serve the unsheltered in Tucson.
The group is collecting water (bottles and cases), beef or turkey jerky, nuts, packets of electrolyte powder, protein, cereal or granola bars, fruit or applesauce cups, peanut butter or cheese crackers, and cookies and treats.
You can drop off donations at the Salvation Army Hospitality House located at 1002 North Maine Avenue.
If you would like to volunteer, you can contact Kristin Ohman at [email protected] or 520-448-3997.
OTHER SAFETY TIPS
13 News’ Tolulope Ajayi reported how children can get burned while playing outside during the summer. You can read tips about protecting your kids HERE.
13 News’ Katherine Patterson recently did a story on the increase in contact burns in southern Arizona. TMC has already reported 12 cases of people with burns, and more are expected in the coming days.
13 News Fact Finder Brooke Wagner recently teamed up with Arizona Health Services to identify the six things you should never leave in a hot vehicle. The first one, people and pets, is a no-brainer. But the other five may surprise you. Read about the list HERE.
Knowing the signs of heat-related illness can be the difference between life and death. Learn more about protecting yourself HERE and HERE.
Brooke also did a story about ways to keep your power bill down while making sure your air conditioner is running well. You can read about that HERE.
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Arizona has a rate of skin cancer that is nearly double the national average, according to a study by Axios.
The best way to avoid skin cancer is to minimize your time in the sun. The second-best prevention is using an approved sunscreen. 13 News’ Carsyn Currier has some tips about picking the right cream for you HERE.Another way to survive the heat is the numerous free cooling centers across the area run by the city of Tucson, the Salvation Army of Tucson, the Gospel Rescue Mission, and Pima County.
OTHER WAYS TO STAY COOL
During a heat wave, an easy way to cool down is to hit a public pool or splash pad. A list of the Tucson-owned pools and splash pads is available HERE. A list of the Pima County pools is HERE, while locations in Marana can be found HERE.
Other options to stay cool are the Reid Park Zoo and the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Tucson residents have been beating the heat for years by going to the mall, catching a movie, or hitting the bowling alley. There is no shortage of any of those in southern Arizona.
You have Roadies at Grant and Swan, and it offers video games, bowling, and gourmet food. Round1, Dave and Buster’s, and Main Event all offer similar entertainment at their facilities scattered across southern Arizona.
There are plenty of bowling alleys in Tucson. The old Fiesta Lanes on River Road reopened following damage from a monsoon storm last year and is called PINZ Fiesta. There is also Lucky Strike on Speedway, Cactus Bowl on South 16th Avenue, Vantage Bowling Center on East 34th Street, and Tucson Bowl on East 21st Street.
For malls, there is Park Place Mall on Broadway, the Tucson Mall on Oracle, La Encantada on Skyline, El Con Center on Broadway, and Tucson Premium Outlets near Twin Peaks.
There are also Tucson cooling center that are open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day, except Juneteenth and the Fourth of July. The Salvation Army Hospitality House (1002 North Main Avenue) is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The Gospel Rescue Mission, located at 4550 South Palo Verder, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Pima County has nearly three dozen cooling centers, and the hours vary depending on the site.
The Tucson-run locations are:
- Donna Liggins Center, 2160 North 6th Avenue
- El Pueblo Center, 101 West Irvington Road, Building #9
- Fred Archer Center, 1665 South La Cholla Boulevard
- Freedom Center, 5000 East 9th Street
- Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 East Tanque Verde Road
- Randolph Center, 200 South Alvernon Way
A map of the Pima County cooling centers, respite centers, and hydration centers can be found HERE.
The Gospel Rescue Mission, a non-profit that has been helping the homeless community for years, recently kicked off its Operation Rescue from the Heat. The group offers help year-round, including a place to stay warm during the winter. Read more about their programs HERE.
The Salvation Army also does its Park Outreach, a mobile distribution program.
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