1. Enjoy Mother Nature – Peoria is surrounded by scenic mountains and beautiful desert terrain. Lucky for us, there are over 750 acres of open space for preservation and recreation, with picturesque waterways and hiking trails for nature lovers to enjoy. Peoria residents and visitors love spending the day at places like Lake Pleasant Regional Park with water activities, hiking, fishing and watching bald eagles.

2. Take a Hike (or Walk or Run or Ride) – The Arizona Canal Trail extends from the Pima Indian Reservation on the East, to Glendale/Peoria on the West. It goes by several local parks and schools and intersects several other recreational trails along its route. This quiet and well-maintained trail features plenty of water views and wildlife, and it’s good for all skill levels.

3. Go Back to the Olden Days – Peoria is rich with stories that history buffs will love.

• Sahuaro Ranch Park features farm animals and visitors can enjoy a tour of the main house built in 1891 to discover what Arizona ranch life was like for the families living here from the late 1800s to the 1930s. Kids will love the big playground, and everyone will enjoy picking their own lemons from the trees.
• Historic Old Town Peoria attracts both locals and visitors alike as a focal point for arts and culture. Choose from a series of free events, and savor the food, theater and live music.

4. Entertain Yourself – You’ll never be bored in Peoria:

• Theater Works – This award-winning community theater has something for everyone, from dramas and comedies to musicals and children’s shows.
• AZ Ice – If you enjoy the grace and beauty of ice skating, it’s a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.
• Movies – Choose from three local movie theaters to catch everything from blockbusters to indie films.

5. Shop ‘til Ya Drop – You can get all the retail therapy you need in and around Peoria. You name it, we’ve got it: Park West Mall, Arrowhead Towne Center, Final Clearance, Antigua Outlet Store, Robyn's Nest Home, The Shops at Norterra and more.

6. Get Your Sports On – There are plenty of venues for sports fans, from the Palmbrook Country Club, Rio Vista Recreation Center, Arrowhead Towne Center, and Quail Run Golf Course to disc golf at Thunderbird Paseo Park and spring training for the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners at the massive Peoria Sports Complex.

7. Enjoy the Arts – Visit the West Valley Art Museum to experience a diverse array of art including fine prints, collections from local Arizona artists, and new exhibits year-round.

8. Eat, Drink and Be Merry – When you live in a luxury apartment at Visions Apartment homes, whether eating at home or going out on the town, your palate will thank you.
   • “Wake Up with Weidner”, where our residents join us for chef-prepared hot breakfast Mondays through Fridays from 7–9 AM. And it’s on us, with continental options available for busy commuters on the go.
   • When you’re in the mood to go out, choose from plenty of amazing dining experiences in Peoria. Whether your favorite food is Italian, Mexican, Asian, Greek, BBQ or a nice big steak dinner, you can get it all here.

9. Park It – Peoria offers an array of beautiful parks for your enjoyment and health. With more than 30 parks and 20 miles of trails, you and your family can enjoy many outdoor adventures. Bring a picnic lunch or BBQ, shoot hoops, play volleyball, compete on multiple athletic fields, frolic on the playground and cool off at a splash pad. It’s a great way to spend the day.

10. Make a Splash – Spend the day at Scorpion Bay, a lakeside harbor featuring a marina with rentals of sport boats, kayaks, paddle boards & jet skis.

11. Come Home and Feel Like You’re on Vacation – After enjoying all the fun things Peoria has to offer, it’s great to come home to the gorgeous apartment you’ve customized for your enjoyment.

• If you’re relishing some quiet time, prepare a delicious meal surrounded by stainless steel appliances, modern flooring, and sleek countertops.
• Take a luxurious bath in your garden tub and treat yourself with scented candles and flowers.
• Sip a hot beverage and appreciate the courtyard view from your balcony.
• If you’re entertaining friends or hanging out with neighbors, lounge together by the sparkling pool under the outdoor cabanas, cook on gas BBQs, play in the interactive gaming area or relax in the resident activity center.
• Combine all that with expert management and a friendly, responsive staff, and you’re living a worry-free and rewarding life.

 
Are you ready to start living life in Peoria to the fullest, in luxury and style? Contact us at Visions Apartment Homes to schedule your tour today.
 

The post 11 Fun Things to Do in Peoria, AZ appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY in Tucson 

At Habitat for Humanity in Tucson, the team worked to help build homes for those in need. Habitat for Humanity's mission is "Creating a more compassionate and just world, Habitat for Humanity Tucson brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope," with a vision of, "A world where everyone has a decent place to live." 

"No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to have a decent life. We deserve to feel strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures." 

They accomplish this mission by building and repairing homes in partnership with the community and local families, which are then sold to families with a 0% interest loan through their "Own a Home" program. The volunteer event was held on Friday the 13^th and all the workers who came to assist from Habitat came dressed in their best "Camp Crystal Lake" gear from the movie Friday the 13^th, making the event even more interesting and festive!

The Weidner team was in charge of putting up exterior walls on three of the six houses at the project site. Each volunteer helped with construction in some way, whether it was lifting the walls into place, pounding in nails, or helping gather supplies. 

HOMEWARD BOUND in Phoenix 

In Phoenix, the Weidner Cares team partnered with Homeward Bound. Homeward Bound is a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of families who are experiencing homelessness. Their mission is "Homelessness affects thousands of children and families in Maricopa County, Arizona every year. Our program provides families with not just housing but a real pathway out of poverty, so they never become homeless again." Homeward Bound provides families with housing and services for 12–24 months to help them regroup and get back on their feet.

The Weidner team painted the facility inside and out, starting from the offices, to the stairwells, to the outdoor railings. They also cleaned play structures, cleaned several of their housing units, and pressure washed the facility. Between the fresh coat of paint and the cleaning, the facility looked good as new. Homeward Bound also offers free childcare services to the families they serve. The team helped to revamp one of the classrooms by repainting, cleaning, and organizing, resulting in a warm and comfortable environment for the children who are there to learn and play.

"Of all the volunteer groups I have dealt with over the years, the Weidner Apartment Homes volunteer group was by far the most organized, responsive and fun group I have had the pleasure of working with. You are an amazing organization with AMAZING staff!!" said Tracey Lane, Senior Development Manager at Homeward Bound. 

UMOM in Phoenix 

For the last event, the team partnered with UMOM New Day Centers. This was Weidner's second year in a row partnering with this organization, giving the team a rare opportunity to see the result of their hard work and efforts. UMOM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness and is currently the largest shelter for homeless families in the state of Arizona. UMOM helps keep families together, by providing a continuum of care from emergency shelter, to transitional housing, to permanent affordable housing.

"UMOM is a place of hope. Hope rebuilds lives."

The Weidner team worked throughout the facility, cleaning out garden beds, restriping the parking lot, cleaning out old storage areas, and painting the exterior of the buildings. The team also spent time revamping the cafeteria where all the families socialize and dine. The team buffed the floors, painted the walls, and cleaned every surface, for a fresh, much-needed makeover. One of the larger projects of the day was to organize clothing donations that were given to UMOM. The clothing donations serve a dual purpose to clothe families in need, as well as serve as inventory that supports their on-site thrift store. The Weidner team worked diligently to sort through all the donations and put them to good use.

"Many thanks to all your great energy and organizational skills in pulling together the Weidner Community Day! We so appreciate everything your team did for the UMOM family! Our campus is brighter and well-polished because of the compassionate hearts of your colleagues," said Robin Telle, Volunteer Manager at UMOM.

The Weidner team wishes to thank all those who lent their time and talents to these three wonderful organizations. We are proud to assist you as you make such a tremendous difference in the lives of others.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you! What matters to you, matters to us!

— The Weidner Team

The post The Weidner Cares Team Goes to Arizona appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

Tucson 

In Tucson, we partnered with the Primavera Foundation, whose goal is to "provide pathways out of poverty through safe, affordable housing, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization." 

Primavera helps ensure that every individual living in the Tucson area is provided basic human rights, a livable income and safe, affordable housing. The Weidner Cares team helped out in the family shelter, which was built nearly 100 years ago. Families that reside in the shelter can stay up to 90 days at no cost to them while they regroup and get back on their feet. Men, women, children and pets stay in the shelter, and it was in dire need of a little tender, loving care.

The Weidner Cares team cleaned and painted the exterior units and helped to clean out the playground area, paint, and install new lighting in outdoor areas. Now the shelter is 6 months ahead of the maintenance schedule! To add to the festivities, we were privileged to celebrate Rob Hyden's birthday, our Regional Maintenance Director in AZ. Thank you for an inspirational day, Primavera! 

Phoenix East 

In our East Phoenix region, we partnered with UMOM New Day Centers. UMOM relies on volunteerism "to prevent and end homelessness with innovative strategies and housing solutions that meet the unique needs of each family and individual." 

With a group of just over 120 volunteers, the Weidner Cares team were able to cover a large area and assist with projects both big and small. The team sorted through clothing donations, dug out and built up new cement paths on their playground, and also helped with administrative tasks. Weidner Cares also painted a large lobby and common area at the entrance to their Wellness Center, in addition to all the doors at the facility. UMOM offers free daycare to all the families living in their shelters, so we also had a group helping to look after some of the infants and toddlers throughout the day.

The Weidner team put their gardening skills to use and weeded and cleared out the community garden and prepped it for a new batch of crops. UMOM also offers an onsite café where they train the residents living in their shelter how to work in a restaurant environment. Weider was able to hire them to cater lunches for both of our Phoenix events as an additional level of support towards their organization! Thanks for all you do, UMOM!

Phoenix West 

Lastly, we partnered with StreetlightUSA, located in Gilbert, AZ. StreetlightUSA specializes in the care and healing of victims of child sex trafficking and sexual trauma throughout the United States. Their mission is to transition adolescent girls "from trauma to triumph" through awareness, prevention, and direct care.

The Weidner Cares team spent most of the day repainting and repairing three small houses, or "casitas," they currently use to house girls between the ages of 12 and 18. We also repainted the living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and bathrooms of each of the houses, so the girls could get a sense of a new beginning in the updated environment. The team also worked on the curb appeal, clearing tumbleweeds, picking up garbage, and repainting fences and parking lots. Thank you for your dedication and service, StreetlightUSA!

The Weidner Cares team in Arizona was so pleased to have the opportunity to contribute time, effort and determination to help make a difference in these communities and give back to these amazing organizations.

What matters to you, matters to us!

— The Weidner Team

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