Simple Items Go a Long Way Toward Maintaining 'Heat Wave Hygiene'

Summer in the Valley is rough enough, but for some it can truly be unbearable and this is why Glendale’s Community Development Group created a special “Heat Wave Hygiene” collection drive to help those in need.

Items needed include toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, dental floss and body soap.

Donated items will benefit New Leaf’s Faith House, which is a domestic violence shelter. There will be collection barrels available at the Glendale Main Library, Glendale Visitor Center, Glendale City Hall first floor and Foothills Aquatic Center. The drive will take place throughout the entire month of July.
The Wigwam, known as one of Arizona’s iconic landmarks, is going to kick start the campaign by donating a large portion of hygiene items from the resort such as soap bars and shampoos.
This is the third year the group is helping the local community. The first year, the Glendale Building Safety Department did a pet food fundraiser, collecting more than 3,200 pounds of food and supplies. Last year, staff created a jacket drive and collected 380 jackets.

“The nature of our job allows us to interact directly with the community, and we recognized that our group can make a difference by helping people out during challenging times,” said Donation Coordinator Allisa Deneke with Glendale Building Safety Department. “Our team decided that a personal hygiene collection can play a huge role in someone’s recovery or in finding a job. In addition, we learned that many shelters are short-supplied on simple items such as toothpaste and deodorant.”

The Community Development Group is coordinating the drive. For more information, contact Allisa Deneke at 623.930.3148 or Maria Terrones at 623.930.2802.