Volunteer Southern Arizona transferred its organization to United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona this month after more than 45 years of aid to the community.
The VSA facility in Tucson is ending its operations and will be renamed the Volunteer Center at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.
The newly formed branch of the United Way is now the largest community volunteer force in Southern Arizona.
"The United Way heard about the potential for the merger through some of the community activists, and we heard that they were struggling financially," said United Way of Tucson CEO Tony Penn. "We contacted the Volunteer Center to help them sustain their mission and program."
The Volunteer Center will continue to provide support to the community through events such as this week's "Days of Caring," which ends today. In it, more than 3,000 volunteers participated in more than 100 projects at non-profit agencies, child-care centers and schools.
People are also reading…
"The merger will strengthen the relationship between volunteers and organizations, and it will increase the value proposition for organizations to partner with the United Way."
The center promises to sustain its mission of volunteerism throughout the region in partnership with educational institutions, businesses and nonprofit organizations with financial support from the George Mason Green and Lois C. Green foundation for the next two years.
As VSA closes for the merger, Penn foresees a need for staff positions within the new volunteer center.
Online
Go to www.unitedwaytucson.org to find volunteering opportunities.
Brandon Messick is a University of Arizona student who is an apprentice at the Star. Contact him at starapprentice@azstarnet.com or 573-4117.
Second wall planned across Arizona as Trump administration doubles down on border
