Local stakeholders form "Marana Momentum Alliance" to better serve the community

MARANA - Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Marana Schools 2340 Foundation, MHC Healthcare, and Town of Marana have combined resources to better serve the community as the "Marana Momentum Alliance."

The alliance's mission is to empower everyone to maximize their opportunities and manage their futures by providing resources for career and education, health and wellness, and veteran and senior services.

The Marana Momentum Alliance brings together the unique strengths and talents of each partner organization to increase the beneficial power of their efforts through a series of one-stop shop events. The first event is scheduled for September 22 and will focus on career and eduction resources. The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona currently serves as the lead organization for the event with support from its partners. 

“The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is thrilled to be a part of this important alliance through the Marana Resource Center," said Marana Resource Center Executive Director Linda Hampton. "We believe that lasting solutions to poverty will not be found in just a bag of food.  Working alongside our partners, we can grow the impact of our efforts and do more to assist those in our community who need us the most.”

The role of lead organization for each event will rotate through the alliance. MHC Healthcare will serve as lead for the Health and Wellness event scheduled for Spring 2019. 

“MHC Healthcare is excited and honored to be a partner of the Marana Momentum Alliance," said MHC Healthcare CEO Dr. Clint Kuntz. "We look forward to working with Marana Unified School District, Town of Marana and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to bring worthwhile events that will provide timely, helpful resources. We are here for you and plan to help attendees fill their “Life Tool Box” with useful materials focused on improving your health and overall well-being.” 

The third event will be in the fall of 2019 and will focus on senior and veteran services. Event logistics will be led by the Town of Marana. 

"At the Town of Marana, we hear almost daily from residents in need," said Town of Marana Community and Neighborhood Services Director Lisa Shafer.  "It is so important that we work with other agencies to provide the support and services these residents need to build a successful future.  By forming the Marana Momentum Alliance, I think we are on our way to providing something pretty incredible for the greater Marana area."

Marana Schools' 2340 Foundation and Marana Unified School District also play a large role in the alliance, acknowledging the importance of providing resources to the younger generation and their families.

"The Marana Unified School District and the Marana Schools’ 2340 Foundation observe the challenges many of our students and their families must overcome every day. The Marana Momentum Alliance brings together resources to provide a helping hand to those with critical needs or a pathway to succeed." said Marana Unified School District Superintendent Doug Wilson.  

The Marana Momentum Alliance is now accepting vendors for upcoming events. Donations, volunteers, and sponsorships are also being solicited. Those who are interested in participating can learn more here.

Marana to Proclaim March 10th St. Baldrick’s Day as Part of Effort to Support Childhood Cancer Research

Every year, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation supports childhood cancer research through a variety of fundraising activities. On Friday, March 10, 5pm-9pm, St. Baldrick’s Northwest Tucson will contribute to these efforts by hosting their annual Shave-Off at Mountain View High School, part of Marana Unified School District. To recognize and build support for this occasion, the Marana Town Council plans to proclaim March 10, 2017 as St. Baldrick’s Day in the Town of Marana.

St. Baldrick’s distinguishes itself from similar organizations with its relentless focus on directing funds to researchers studying childhood cancers. With cancer as the top disease killer of children and young adults in the United States, St. Baldrick’s aims to achieve the bold goal of ending this scourge, a mission which the Town of Marana wholeheartedly supports.

Head shaving events like the one at Mountain View High School on March 10 have become the signature initiative of St. Baldrick’s. Their first Shave Off, intended as a one-time gathering, occurred in New York in 2000. Hoping to raise $17,000 by shaving 17 heads, organizers were energized when they took in over $100,000. Since that auspicious start, St. Baldrick’s has donated over $200 million in grants that support childhood cancer research.

Volunteer Event Organizer Chris Dow is especially eager to see the turnout at the event in March. After hosting a similar event last year at Quail Run Elementary School, he expects to see significant growth at this year’s Shave-Off. “We had a couple of hundred people that came and showed their support. So when people see us around town with our St. Baldrick's shirts on or buttons saying ‘Ask me why I'm bald’ or ‘Bald by Choice,’ we hope to get the conversation going to help raise awareness and raise additional funds.”

Those interested in participating can sign up or donate at https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/gobaldtucson2017. The Town of Marana is proud to support St. Baldrick’s in working to end childhood cancers so that all youth have the opportunity to lead healthy lives and grow up to make our community stronger.

Protect America: Marana named #5 on Burglary Safe Zone list for Arizona

Every year, Protect America, a nationwide home security service, analyzes FBI Uniform Crime Report data to assemble its list of the safest cities and towns in each state. This year, Marana came in as #5 on the Burglary Safe Zone list for Arizona.

MHC Healthcare: Dirt is Moving at Dove Mountain Health Center

MHC Healthcare is making progress with our new Dove Mountain Health Center. More updates to come in the future.

Snake Safety 101

Rattlesnake encounters are always a hazard of desert living, but this year has seen a slight increase in rattlesnake activity, with the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center already recording 146 bites at the end of July.  Baby rattlers are notoriously the most dangerous, since they are difficult to see and haven’t yet developed a rattle to warn potential victims.  With birth season peaking in July and August, now is the time to exercise heightened caution. 

The Western Diamondback, easily recognized by its distinct geometric pattern, is by far the most common Arizona creeper.  While it can be thrilling to see these critters in the wild, or even in our own backyards, it is also important to keep in mind some snake safety tips. 

Prevention and Precaution

• Always hike with a buddy.
• Avoid wearing open-toed shoes, especially when walking in parks and open spaces.
• Carefully examine anywhere you are about to step, sit, or reach.
• If you see a snake, but are not within striking range, slowly and carefully go in the other direction.
• If you’re within striking range, it is best to freeze and wait for the snake to move away.  At all costs, avoid sudden movements.
• Arizona snakes are most active from April through October.  During the hottest months, they are most commonly seen at night.

Treatment

• Immediately seek medical attention at the nearest hospital or call 911.
• Do NOT apply ice, tourniquets, or make incisions around the bite. 
• You should NOT try to catch the snake. It is a myth that doctors need the snake in order to provide the antivenom, since all rattlesnake bites receive the same treatment.

For more information on snake safety, visit the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center online or call them at (800) 222-1222.

No Mo' Mosquitoes

As summer storms continue to enliven Marana’s desert landscape with precious rain, it is critical for those spending time outdoors to take proper precautions against mosquito-borne diseases.  Every year, West Nile Virus presents a potential risk, and this year, in particular, Southern Arizona has seen a rise in reported cases of St. Louis Encephalitis.   These two diseases share similar symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, and muscle weakness.  In very rare cases, they can cause severe illness involving the brain and nervous system.  These people, typically over 50 years old, experience severe headache, neck stiffness, and/or encephalitis or inflammation of brain, which can lead to paralysis or death.

Despite the risks surrounding these diseases, a few simple safeguards can dramatically reduce the risk of infection. 

• Wear lightweight clothing that covers your arms and legs and use an insect repellent when outdoors when mosquitoes are active.  Always follow the directions on the label.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens and remain closed.
• Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around the home by removing standing water in potted plants, tires, bird baths and other containers where water may collect.
• Ensure that swimming pools and decorative water features are properly maintained.
• Change water in flowerpots, birdbaths and pet watering bowls located outdoors at least twice per week.

If you are concerned that you or a member of your family may be infected, please contact your primary healthcare provider.  For more information, you can visit Pima County’s Fight the Bite campaign page. 

Town will distribute sandbags during emergencies

In the event of a flooding emergency, the Town of Marana will distribute sandbags to Marana residents and businesses. Residents can be notified of flooding emergencies through MaranaAZ.gov, facebook, twitter, and the appropriate emergency communication channels.