APS Becomes Proud Sponsor of Phoenix Community ToolBank

PHOENIX – November 30, 2017 – Since its inception in 2015, Phoenix Community ToolBank has provided tools to over 40,000 volunteers who have completed nearly 1,000 community improvement projects in the Valley. Executive Director Jana Smith says none of this would be possible without the support of generous corporate donations, including the recent $5,000 grant from APS.

The Phoenix Community ToolBank is a nonprofit tool-lending program that provides organizations with access to an inventory of tools for use in volunteer and community benefit projects. By providing the tools, Phoenix Community ToolBank enhances the charitable sector’s capacity to serve, facilitating volunteerism in Phoenix.

Jana Smith, Phoenix Community ToolBank Executive Director, says a partnership with APS was a natural fit for the organization.

“APS is so philanthropic and has such an active employee volunteer program, we are thrilled to have them coming on board as a new corporate partner,” explains Smith. “In 2016, APS employees volunteered a total of 120,000 volunteer hours… and with our new partnership, I have no doubt we are going to be seeing a lot of a blue tools in the hands of APS employees!”

Smith says companies interested in partnering with Phoenix Community ToolBank, either as a sponsor or for volunteer projects, should visit www.phoenixtoolbank.org or call (602) 438-4005.

About Phoenix ToolBank

Phoenix ToolBank offers tools to a variety of community-based partners to strengthen and celebrate the shared community.  ToolBank tools range from power tools to support building projects, to hand held tools such as shovels for planting community gardens, to painting supplies for rehab/upkeep projects and even items such as tables and chairs for events. By investing in ToolBank, nonprofits are able to equip volunteers and staff to support projects without having to redirect agency funding away from their critical missions. This also allows the nonprofit to avoid having to store, clean and maintain the tools, which may only be used for a one-time project or infrequent enough to provide additional cost versus benefit to the organization.  ToolBank therefore increases the capacity and impact of the local volunteer, of which APS is heavily invested. When provided access to tools, charitable organizations are empowered to work on the front lines of the most entrenched problems facing our community.

Phoenix ToolBank equips organizations to do more, build more, and be more.

Volunteers from the APS Community Connectors group use paint brushes and tools from the Phoenix Tool Bank to paint a map of the United States at Sine Elementary School in Glendale during the Valley of the Sun United Way’s Day of Action in September.

Media Contact: Elaina Verhoff, Gordon C. James Public Relations, everhoff@gcjpr.com, 602-274-1988