During the past two years, 抖奶视频 has helped address urgent housing needs in Southern Arizona. With our assistance, seniors and other local residents were able to avoid eviction, pay utility bills and benefit from renovated affordable homes.

With rising housing costs impacting vulnerable residents, our Community Investment team connected with local nonprofit organizations to pursue solutions to the needs they were seeing. In alone, local rent increased about 30 percent in 2021-22. 聽Eviction levels also have rebounded to historic levels after the expiration of federal moratoriums imposed during the pandemic.

In late 2022, 抖奶视频 contributed $200,000 to support Interfaith Community Services (ICS) housing programs. We donated another $50,000 in 2023 to Family Housing Resources to fund much-needed upgrades at affordable-housing units.

鈥淔inancial security starts in the home. If people are able to stay in their homes, they are able to take care of their families and keep jobs. That鈥檚 where it starts,鈥� said Steven Eddy, 抖奶视频鈥檚 Director of Public Affairs. 鈥淥ur investment in this area ensures that our customers have the resources they need to have that stability.鈥�

This assistance supported community vitality, one of four focus areas for 抖奶视频鈥檚 philanthropy. Our contributions come from corporate resources and are not recovered through customers鈥� rates.

Interfaith Community Services

抖奶视频鈥檚 donation to ICS was aimed at providing immediate housing for recently evicted families. In all, 589 individuals were served, including children and seniors.

For example, one single father assisted by ICS fell behind on payments after taking time off work to care for his 9-year-old daughter with epilepsy. Support from ICS helped him catch up on bills.

鈥淭he impact was incredible. It kept people housed. It kept electricity on. In some cases, they were able to fix things they couldn鈥檛 afford it. It was significant because it was such a large sum of money with few strings attached,鈥� said Tom McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of ICS.

抖奶视频 chose to support ICS because of its ongoing housing collaborations with the City of Tucson, Pima County, and the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

ICS recognized that eviction is an acute problem for seniors whose fixed incomes cannot keep pace with rising rents. 抖奶视频 funding helped seniors bridge that gap while also providing financial guidance. 鈥淲hen you are 75 or 80 years old, you can鈥檛 say, 鈥楯ust get another job.鈥� Your income is your income,鈥� McKinney said.

The organization served a wide variety of people with different needs. Some residents faced health issues or other unexpected setbacks that left them unable to pay rent. Some requested help with an apartment deposit or other bills.

鈥淏ecause the funding was so flexible, it really made a difference how we served people,鈥� McKinney said.

Family Resources Inc.

Another 抖奶视频 donation supported renovations at the , a midtown complex designated for income-qualifying residents with vouchers. Built in the 1980s, the 96-unit complex run by Family Housing Resources needed full renovations, including electric upgrades, new appliances and more energy efficient windows.

抖奶视频 employees also supported the installation of new electric service panels that were delayed by supply chain issues, said Meghan Heddings, Executive Director of Family Housing Resources.

Because the renovations took longer than expected, the 抖奶视频 donation helped pay for the overall project and the unexpected increased costs.

鈥淭hings have definitely gotten significantly harder. Tucson in particular has seen such dramatic increases in rents,鈥� said Heddings. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful that big organizations, like 抖奶视频, are declaring this as a needed focus area. It really helps to further the conversation and acknowledge this is a crisis we鈥檙e in. We all need to come together to find solutions.鈥�

Employee Takes Steps to Raise Awareness

After his 8-year-old son was diagnosed with Crohn鈥檚 disease, 抖奶视频 employee Eric Raatz wanted to connect with other families and do something to promote understanding of the ailment.

Because it was during the pandemic, the Raatz family and another family gathered about 30 to 50 people for an informal walk in a Vail park in 2022. Although the local Crohn鈥檚 & Colitis Foundation had previously hosted a similar event, Tucson Take Steps, it was sidelined during the pandemic.

Since then, and in large part through the leadership of the Raatz family, the local Take Steps event has flourished. This year, on April 6, more than 200 participants on nine teams participated in the walk and other activities along a 1.5-mile route at Brandi Fenton Park. Raatz organized a 15-member team of 抖奶视频 employees, friends, and family members to join in. The event raised more than $40,000.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to us to raise awareness, as well as support our son,鈥� said Raatz, Manager of Transmission Control for 抖奶视频. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a hidden disease and you can鈥檛 tell when someone is in pain and you can鈥檛 see what鈥檚 going on inside.鈥�

Raatz didn鈥檛 know much about Crohn鈥檚, an autoimmune type of inflammatory bowel disease, when his son, Hudson, started showing symptoms at the age of 8. Within three or four months, Hudson lost about 15 pounds. He was barely eating a meal a day, but his parents attributed it to the stress of the pandemic and his frequent mask wearing. Even though he didn鈥檛 complain about pain, Hudson got so weak he passed out at school.

Through bloodwork, an endoscopy and colonoscopy, doctors discovered inflammation and ulcers up and down his esophagus and stomach, tearing up his intestines. 鈥淲e had no idea that he was as sick as he was,鈥� Raatz said.

Now 11 years old, Hudson is on a low dose of chemotherapy, taking a pill every Saturday night and biologics to help suppress his immune system. He avoids dairy and popcorn.

Other than that, Hudson leads a healthy lifestyle, playing on a basketball team that Raatz coaches and recently joining a flag football league. Hudson loves his dogs and math, representing his school in the Math Bowl.

At the Take Steps event, Hudson led the 鈥淗udson鈥檚 Herd鈥� team and was recognized as one of the Honored Heroes.

This is the first year that Raatz sought a sponsorship from 抖奶视频, which supports the causes most important to employees. 抖奶视频 made a $2,500 donation toward Take Steps.

鈥湺赌淌悠� has been a great company to me. They support a lot of community events and I thought this was another opportunity to support the community,鈥� Raatz said. 鈥淭his shows how 抖奶视频 gives back.鈥�

Employee Finds Giving Back Lights the Way

抖奶视频鈥檚 Monette Greer gets emotional when she thinks about all the needs in the community.

That鈥檚 why she spends so much time volunteering, ranking among the top 抖奶视频 employees for the number of volunteer hours. Last year, she recorded 258 volunteer hours.

鈥淭his world can be a little dark and negative and volunteering provides a light. It makes you feel good and there鈥檚 inner joy to it,鈥� said Greer, 抖奶视频 Principal Chemical/Environmental Engineer.

Greer dedicates time to volunteering through 抖奶视频-organized activities, including assembling food bags at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and participating in the Thin Mint Sprint with the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona.

Most of her volunteer hours were in support of Salpointe Catholic High School, which her two sons attend.

Through her workplace contacts, Greer arranged for an in-kind donation of 11 used wood pallets from 抖奶视频 to the Salpointe鈥檚 Earth Club in early January.

On each Thursday this semester, groups of Salpointe students traveled to Lineweaver Elementary School to design and build compost bins out of the pallets. Lineweaver pupils are using the bins to compost excess food from their cafeteria and material from school gardens.

鈥淵our generous donation will not only benefit our schools but also contribute to fostering a sense of environmental consciousness among our students,鈥� wrote Christopher James, Salpointe鈥檚 Science Teacher and Earth Club Moderator, in a note of thanks to 抖奶视频. 鈥淏y engaging them in hands-on composting activities, we are teaching them the importance of waste reduction, organic recycling, and sustainable practices. These valuable lessons will stay with them for a lifetime and empower them to become responsible stewards of our planet.聽聽We are proud to have partners like 抖奶视频 who share our vision for a greener, more sustainable future.鈥�

Because Greer works in the environmental field, Greer said she was proud to make the connection. 鈥淲e get so many pallets at 抖奶视频 and it鈥檚 so much material that sometimes we鈥檙e paying for disposal. We鈥檙e always looking for ways to reuse and recycle,鈥� she said.

In addition at Salpointe, Greer devotes many hours to supporting her sons鈥� sports teams, from staffing the snack bar to driving players to events. Sophomore Jordan plays football and volleyball and senior Tyler played on the basketball and volleyball teams.

Greer鈥檚 volunteer hours qualified for a $500 donation through 抖奶视频鈥檚 Dollars for Doers program, which allows employees to request contributions to local nonprofit organizations based on their contributions to our community. Greer directed her donation to Salpointe鈥檚 Boys Volleyball Team.

For her volunteer work, she especially enjoys working with youth. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much need in the community,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 never ending.鈥�

The wood pallets were given through our in-kind donation program, which includes both services and items given to schools, charities, and nonprofit organizations. Learn more about our donations and make a request through the button on this webpage.

Employee鈥檚 Most Important Role: Dad and Coach

Randy Vidal fell in love with sports at age six, where he started playing flag football and soccer.

From there, he took up tackle football. basketball, baseball and boxing.

Now the Systems Administrator and father of three is watching his 10-year-old son follow in his footsteps as he participates in a variety of sports, from boxing to soccer and basketball. When his son decided to join the football team last year, Randy thought it seemed like a great opportunity to continue learning about teamwork.

鈥淔ootball teaches a lot about yourself when others are depending on you,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t gives youths the perspective that they don鈥檛 have to be the ones carrying the ball to have an important role.鈥�

Randy has been coaching youth sports since he was 16, when he was offered a coaching spot for a boxing class in exchange for a free membership. It was a natural fit when he was asked to coach his son鈥檚 team.

鈥淰olunteering is important to me because kids look up to the adults in their lives who are their coaches,鈥� Randy said. 鈥淚 hope that they remember these relationships as they grow up.鈥�

In 2023, he logged 170 volunteer hours as a coach for the Tucson Jaguars, a local youth football and cheer association. During nightly conditioning and practice sessions, Randy kept the team busy with classic conditioning drills: bear crawls, duck walks, tackling drills, and push-ups.

As the season advanced, he taught the players basic football calls and other skills to prepare them for high school play. His team made it to the city championships in the 9-10-year-old division. While they did not win the final game, Randy was proud of the team for their hard work.

鈥淚 feel like the kids learning to accept loss was bigger than the game itself,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he coaches, who are all mentors down to their core, recognized that and gave each kid something to be proud of leaving the field that day.鈥�

Last summer, 抖奶视频 provided a $25,000 matching grant to help Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona kickstart fundraising for a facility upgrade. The successful campaign has supported renovations and restoration efforts that will allow the 50-year-old nonprofit organization to potentially quadruple its service.

鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to have this new kitchen to boost our ability to go out into the community and work with partners to address food insecurity in Southern Arizona,鈥� said L鈥橠on Sawyer, Executive Director for Mobile Meals.

Mobile Meals was founded by dedicated doctors and their spouses, who realized that some patients were returning home from the hospital without a reliable food source. In the beginning, they cooked and prepared the meals and delivered the food to patients. Later, Mobile Meals relied on a variety of hospital kitchens to make the food that was delivered by dedicated and caring volunteers. But the hospitals collectively had limited capacity and capped out at 100,000 meals annually.

In 2021, Mobile Meals had the opportunity to purchase the former El Indio restaurant on South Sixth Avenue. The fundraising campaign helped the group upgrade the building鈥檚 facilities to support its operations.

By running its own kitchen, Mobile Meals can now offer patients a menu of choices, catered to their medical needs and tastes, with a centralized location for volunteer pickups.

With the new kitchen, the organization will eventually be able to grow to serve 400,000 meals annually. Currently, the organization serves about 150 meals a day, relying on a rotation of 240 volunteers to deliver to clients 鈥� sometimes the only face a patient will see on a daily or weekly basis.

抖奶视频 supports Mobile Meals because its work aligns with our commitment to community vitality. Our company and employee volunteers regularly partner with organizations that serve seniors and address food insecurity, including Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and Pima Council on Aging.

Jared Dang, a Lead Pricing analyst at 抖奶视频, is one of Mobile Meals鈥� volunteers. During the pandemic, Dang was looking for volunteer opportunities that he could do safely from home and learned about becoming a virtual schedule coordinator. Because he was working from home, Dang was able to take breaks to answer calls and check emails for Mobile Meals. Since then, Dang has continued the occasional coordinating and has also delivered meals in person.

鈥淢obile Meals is a very rewarding organization to volunteer for and the clients they serve really appreciate the volunteers. The kitchen has made it easier for volunteers to help,鈥� Dang said. 鈥淭hey are always looking for folks to deliver meals so I encourage those with some flexibility in their Monday-Friday schedule in the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. timeframe to volunteer once a week or even once a month.鈥�

The new kitchen鈥檚 impact continues to grow. Sawyer, who started in her role in December, hired a food services director and a dietitian to better serve clients鈥� needs at the new kitchen.

鈥淲ith the new kitchen, we can now offer our clients a choice of menu items,鈥� Sawyer said. 鈥淧roviding options and having the food delivered by a caring individual make a big difference for those who are home alone. This kitchen, along with 抖奶视频鈥檚 donation, allows us to carry out this important work.鈥�

Our HEERO program 鈥� the name stands for Help with Emergency Energy Relief Operation 鈥� invites customers to round up or add a little to their monthly bill payment to help low-income customers cover their energy costs. Thousands of customers have stepped up to help, providing local nonprofit groups with another way to support our communities.

Last year, customers who rounded up their gas or electric bills to the next dollar contributed nearly $118,000 to help those on limited incomes pay their bills.

Since the HEERO program launched in 2011, customers have contributed nearly $2 million dollars to support their neighbors.

Every penny contributed by customers benefits low-income residents, as no contributions are used to administer the program. Donations are managed by the Salvation Army.

鈥淚t may seem like just a few coins each month wouldn鈥檛 add up, but that just shows the power of community,鈥� said Denise Taylor, Director of Customer Service and Programs. 鈥淲hen even a small donation is multiplied by the number of neighbors who want to help other neighbors, it can really make a big difference for families in need.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to partner with so many groups working toward effective, creative solutions to challenges in our local community,鈥� said Shea-Lynn Hoisington, 抖奶视频鈥檚 Outreach Project Coordinator. 鈥淟everaging our support can help them reach their goals and drive impactful change.鈥�

抖奶视频 funded a range of organizations, projects, and events last year, including efforts to address housing stability and provide food for low-income residents.

Our support helped address housing insecurity issues in our community by renovating an affordable housing complex, Talavera Apartments.

鈥湺赌淌悠�’s commitment to affordable housing is an important acknowledgment of the challenges our community faces and we are grateful for the assistance,鈥� said Meghan Heddings, Executive Director of Family Housing Resources. 鈥湺赌淌悠� played a pivotal role in supporting our efforts, ensuring the completion of our project despite unexpected cost escalations during construction.鈥�

Our education investments centered on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) lessons, financial literacy, career readiness and teacher support. To support the environment and promote sustainability, we worked to protect land and water resources, enhance botanical gardens and nature areas, and safeguard raptors and other wildlife.

We also donated about $150,000 to initiatives that advance racial and social equity through legal support, training, and community events. One example is a contribution to the State of Black Arizona to build on the work of the .

鈥淭his grant served as a catalyst, igniting a dedicated effort to emphasize the critical significance of educating Black leaders about renewable and solar energy in Southern Arizona,鈥� said Teniqua Broughton, Chief Executive Officer of the State of Black Arizona. 鈥淲ith gratitude, we recognize this generous contribution as an investment in knowledge, empowerment, and a brighter, more sustainable future for our community.鈥�

抖奶视频鈥檚 philanthropic contributions come from corporate resources and are not recovered through customers鈥� rates. Our community partners use our contributions to sustain programs with measurable success built over many years.

Top donations included:

• Wildfire, a statewide nonprofit organization that provides utility bill-payment assistance to low-income residents 鈥� $300,000
• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona 鈥� $50,000
• Family Housing Resources 鈥� $50,000
• Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF) for the regional science fair and other education efforts 鈥� $50,000
• Junior Achievement of Arizona 鈥� $30,000
• Tucson Values Teachers 鈥� $30,000
• Women鈥檚 Foundation for the State of Arizona 鈥� $30,000

In addition to investments in the Tucson area, 抖奶视频 supported 12 charities in the White Mountains community around our Springerville Generating Station and also contributed to two organizations in rural New Mexico near our Oso Grande wind farm.

Employee Service

抖奶视频 values our employees鈥� commitment to community service. In 2023, about 295 active volunteers donated nearly 8,500 hours to causes they care about.

Some of the organizations and community projects we support are chosen by 抖奶视频鈥檚 Community Action Teams 鈥� employee-led committees that organize volunteer and donation activities to benefit the causes closest to their hearts. Last year, we provided $55,000, plus volunteer hours, to 17 Tucson-area organizations through those teams.

In addition, we invite employees who meet certain volunteer thresholds to apply for grants in support of the nonprofit organizations of their choice. Through our Dollars for Doers program, we provided about $14,000 through grants of $100 to $500 each to 38 local groups.

“Our goal is to support the organizations that hold significant meaning for our employees,鈥� said Tara Barrera, 抖奶视频 Community Program Coordinator. 鈥淲e acknowledge the importance of their volunteer contributions and are dedicated to strengthening their impact through our Dollars for Doers program and community partnerships.”

recently recognized 抖奶视频鈥檚 Michael Strawn, Supervisor of Transmission & Distribution Engineering, as a Patriotic Employer. ESGR, a U.S. Department of Defense office, gives a series of awards, including the Patriot Award, to those who are supportive employers of service members.

抖奶视频 intern Brian Flores nominated Strawn, his supervisor, for supporting Flores鈥檚 military commitment. Flores serves as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve鈥檚 Bulk Fuel Company A, based in Tucson.

A full-time University of Arizona student, Flores has been a student intern in Automation Engineering for more than a year, often working weekend shifts. As a reservist, Flores sometimes needs time off to carry out his commitment, including six weeks in the summer and once every other month on weekends.

As his civilian employer, Strawn adjusts Flores鈥� work schedule so he can carry out his military duties. Strawn鈥檚 grandfather, father, and brother all served, so Strawn said he understands the requirements of the military.

鈥淚 thought it was a great honor to receive such an award,鈥� Strawn said about the award. 鈥淚 support my guys in whatever they need to get done. For me, it鈥檚 easier for people to come to work when they know leadership is supporting what they need to do both at work and out of work.鈥�

Flores gives plenty of notice to make the arrangement work, Strawn said. 鈥淛ust whatever Brian needs to do, we support him. He鈥檚 a great, young guy and a great support system for our team.鈥�

抖奶视频 actively recruits veterans, who make up 11 percent of our workforce. Learn more about our veterans鈥� career support.

Photo courtesy of ESGR鈥檚 Facebook page.

At one of our biggest volunteer events of the year, 抖奶视频 employees will help collect monetary and food donations at the annual Holiday Harvest Food Drive in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Nov. 16 drive at Sam鈥檚 Club, 4701 N. Stone Ave., benefits the 鈥� a longtime community partner.

抖奶视频 will provide a $25,000 matching donation for monetary contributions collected at the drive, scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, 抖奶视频 customers can pick up free smart thermostats at the food drive.

Also in November, a 抖奶视频 team will help assemble food bags for Community Food Bank clients.

Here are some of the other volunteer activities in November:

Nov. 4: collection

Nov. 5: Bikes for Change with El Tour de Tucson 鈥� 抖奶视频 volunteers will help build bikes to donate to those in need.

Nov. 12: Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona Over the Edge 鈥� 抖奶视频 volunteers will rappel down a 17-story building for the fundraiser.

Nov. 18: to benefit the Amado Youth Center

Nov. 30 鈥� Dec. 2: Tucson Botanical Gardens 鈥� Volunteers will assist at the holiday Lights Up event on Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.

Here鈥檚 where 抖奶视频 customers can get free smart thermostats:

Nov. 3 – Tucson Roadrunners hockey game at the Tucson Convention Center

Nov. 3 鈥� Sahuaro High School homecoming football game

Nov. 4 鈥� Love of Literacy event at the Children鈥檚 Museum Tucson

Nov. 11 – Cars and Coffee car show at Lowe鈥檚 Home Improvement, 4075 W. Ina Road.

Nov. 18 鈥� University of Arizona football game tailgate party

Nov. 18 鈥� El Tour de Tucson Expo and Fiesta at the Tucson Convention Center

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On the morning of Oct. 23, 1983, a truck packed with approximately 12,000 pounds of explosives crashed through the front gates of the United States Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. The explosion killed 220 Marines, 18 sailors and three soldiers. It was the largest loss of life in a single day for the Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.

Moments later, a second suicide bomber drove into the barracks of a French paratrooper detachment in West Beirut. The explosion killed 58 French soldiers.

During the bombing, Jim Smith, Maintenance Engineer for 抖奶视频鈥檚 facilities management company, was serving aboard the USS Ponce and taking part in amphibious exercises with NATO forces in Norway north of the arctic circle in the North Atlantic. He had joined the Navy in 1980.

The Ponce, along with the USS Nassau and USS Saginaw, were dispatched to Lebanon. The three-ship amphibious task force was then stationed off the coast of Lebanon with U.S. Marines units from Camp LeJeune. They remained on station until late 1984.

As the years have gone by, Jim thinks about his brothers in arms more and more often. It鈥檚 what prompted him to suggest the addition of the POW MIA flag to the 抖奶视频 building this year to honor their memory and as a tribute to veterans and service members.

鈥淚 have been able to do so much in 40 years,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was able to get married and raise three kids. Those guys didn鈥檛 get that opportunity.鈥�

Now those blessings are coming full circle. His youngest daughter, Alexandra, joined the Marines after graduating high school. She was assigned to the 8th Communications Battalion, which was also part of the multinational peace keeping force in Beirut.

During his first trip to visit Alexandra at to Camp LeJeune, she took him to see the Beirut memorial in Jacksonville, North Carolina. It鈥檚 an experience that will stick with him forever. 鈥淚鈥檒l always remember how the emotions of reading 鈥楾hey came in peace鈥� etched in the memorial wall, hit me,鈥� he said.

In the end, he said, people just don鈥檛 want to be forgotten. 鈥淭hey made the ultimate sacrifice,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, just like I did.鈥�

Jim said he is thankful that 抖奶视频 approved his request to fly the flag.

When he thinks about the lives lost those four decades ago, he can鈥檛 help but recall a quote from Gen. George Patton. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

Proceeds from the 2024 Friends of PACC Calendar support the mission of the community鈥檚 municipal shelter, which took in more than 19,000 pets last year. The calendar features pictures of 13 pets taken by local photographer Candice Eaton at the western-themed Trail Dust Town, which has been offering visitors a trip back in time since 1961.

抖奶视频 is printing the calendars in-house to ensure that all of the proceeds from calendar sales go straight to lifesaving efforts.

抖奶视频 has a longstanding relationship with PACC and Friends of PACC, with employees regularly donating time and expertise in roles ranging from dog walking to board service. This year, our employees posed for photos with their own rescue pets to highlight energy-saving tips each month.

鈥淎nimal welfare is a priority for our community, and we鈥檙e impressed with Pima County鈥檚 commitment to pets and the truly innovative approaches PACC is taking to place pets into safe, loving homes,鈥� said Wendy Erica Werden, 抖奶视频鈥檚 Manager of Community Investment. 鈥淲e are happy to do our part to support their work.鈥�

Corporate donations and other support is critical to PACC鈥檚 ability to respond to increasing demands on its shelter, especially as families feel the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.

鈥淎s a nonprofit, we are so grateful to have partners like 抖奶视频 that can help us make our dollars stretch farther,鈥� said Torre Chisholm, Executive Director for the shelter鈥檚 nonprofit fundraising arm, Friends of PACC. 鈥淐onsistent support from the community鈥檚 business leaders helps us ensure all pets have a chance at happiness and security.鈥�

聽is one way to support the shelter. PACC also continues to seek volunteers to walk dogs, as well as to adopt or foster animals. If you would like to help out, find out more on the聽

The team has been crafting animal sculptures made of steel for ZooLights holiday night events for the past five years, taking on a new challenge this year. A suspended sloth and an anteater now join the ranks previous creations, including African cranes, an alligator, a giraffe and a hippo.

Each year when the zoo sends a list of animals on its wish list, the 抖奶视频 team carefully selects the ones that inspire them the most. Arron Porter, Transmission and Distribution Manager, explained that the fabrication artists were particularly drawn to the sloth. Hanging from a tree, it presented a unique creative challenge. And let’s not forget the sloth’s natural smile, which they were determined to replicate in their sculpture.

“We really appreciate the opportunity to support the zoo,” Porter. “We always strive to produce something that will enhance the event and that they’ll be proud to display.”

鈥淭he artistry of the 抖奶视频 Fabrication team in developing these amazing metal light sculptures always amazes and we look forward to their creations each year,鈥� said Deborah Carr, Reid Park Zoo鈥檚 Director of Marketing and Communications. 鈥淭hese pieces are always showstoppers, adding extra sparkle and uniqueness to our ZooLights and other events. Our guests love them and it really helps us stretch our events budget by providing custom and sustainable pieces that would otherwise be very expensive for us to purchase.鈥�

The new metal mammals, created from one-quarter-inch round steel bar, have been delivered to the zoo in plenty of time to captivate visitors.

ZooLights features thousands of colorful lights and displays spaced throughout the Zoo, along with festive entertainment, visits with Santa and holiday activities. This year鈥檚 event will run Dec. 2-23 with Encore Nights on Dec. 26-Jan. 6. In addition, the sloth sculpture comes just as the Zoo is preparing to welcome a new Linne鈥檚 two-toed sloth in August to its South America Loop.

鈥淎ll of us at the Zoo are extremely grateful to 抖奶视频 for their sponsorship of ZooLights and their wonderful support of the Zoo in so many ways,鈥� Carr said.

Sometimes, the sculptures make early appearances, like at Boo at the Zoo for Halloween time. So, be on the lookout this fall.

See you at Zoo Lights!