The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement (AZ Blue Foundation) donated $50,000 to AllThrive 365 to support critical heat-relief efforts that help under-resourced Arizonans stay safe, healthy and comfortable during Arizona’s extreme summer temperatures.
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The funding will support AllThrive 365’s Healthy Homes program, providing air conditioner repairs and replacements and other energy-efficiency improvements that help low-income households reduce energy costs while creating safer living environments.
“Arizona’s extreme heat can have serious consequences for health, especially for older adults and individuals living in older or underserved housing,” said Paul Penzone, Vice President and Chief Community Relations Officer at AZ Blue. “Through this partnership with AllThrive 365, we are helping address a critical social driver of health by improving access to safe, effective cooling solutions for Arizonans who need them most.”
The majority of the funding will help residents living in mobile and manufactured homes, which frequently face greater challenges in staying cool during Arizona’s extreme summer temperatures. Arizona State University research found that mobile homes account for 40% of indoor heat-related deaths, highlighting the critical need for cooling assistance and home energy improvements in these communities.
For many older adults, access to safe housing can be lifesaving. One Mesa resident facing temperatures as high as 125 degrees inside his home received a new energy-efficient air conditioning system through AllThrive 365’s Healthy Homes AC Program, helping restore a safe living environment and supporting his ability to age independently.
“Many of the older adults and families we serve live on fixed or limited incomes, making an unexpected air conditioning repair or replacement financially devastating,” said Tami Bohannon, President and CEO of AllThrive 365. “This investment from the AZ Blue Foundation helps ensure that a broken AC unit doesn’t force someone to choose between their safety, their independence and their financial stability.”
The partnership builds on AZ Blue Foundation’s ongoing commitment to address social drivers of health and invest in community-based solutions that improve the quality of life for Arizonans across the state.
