Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ

Mary Guzman (right) and her father (left) handed out water and care kits at this heat relief station.

Summer cooling stations are an essential resource for many Valley residents. With Arizona in the midst of one of its most intense heat waves ever, they’ve taken on even greater importance.

For 18 years, Manny Guzman has woken up early every morning to work and volunteer at the Salvation Army on Clarendon and 43rd avenues in Phoenix.

His daughter, Mary Guzman, sometimes helps out as well.

“It was 8:30 in the morning and it was hot,” Mary says about the morning of July 15.

But Mary says that even if she can't make it, her dad will be waiting to pass out water and toiletry kits, which include hydration packets and deodorant.

Manny, who mostly speaks Spanish, said many kinds of people come to make use of the cooling station.

Manny says every year is different, but usually temperatures fluctuate enough to give them a little relief.

Saturday would make almost three weeks of constant high temperatures, Manny said. He said that he expected two more weeks of heat ahead, too.

But he’s dedicated. Along with the water, Manny says he wants to live by and share Salvation Army’s motto: “Con el corazón al Dios, y la mano al hombre.” Or “With the heart to God, and the hand to man.”

So the heat, Manny says, won’t stop him.

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Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ

Along with the water, Manny Guzman says he wants to live by and share Salvation Army’s motto: “Con el corazón al Dios, y la mano al hombre" - “With the heart to God, and the hand to man.”