By Cyrus Guccione
Mail

As the holiday season draws near, the opportunity to spread joy begins through gift-giving during the annual Christmas Angel program run by longtime Fountain Hills residents, Peter and Theresa Conti.

Every year, the Christmas Angel Program provides a platform for local businesses, clubs and families to purchase gifts for Fountain Hills children, especially for those who would otherwise not receive gifts during the holidays.

This winter marks the eighth year the Peter and Theresa Conti Foundation has led the charge for the Fountain Hills Christmas Angel program. Over that time, they’ve come to know quite a few new and returning families who struggle to keep a smile on their children’s faces during a time of happiness and cheer.

“There are kids in this town, believe it or not, that don’t even have a home. There are homeless families who are living in hotels. There are families that, just like in any other community, struggle mightily,” Peter Conti said.

For this reason, the Contis, along with a team of volunteers, local businesses and clubs are erecting Angel Trees complete with Angel Tags with gift requests and information about local children.

Beginning the third week of November, community members can pick a tag off the Angel Trees, purchase the gifts mentioned on the tag and bring a smile to a child’s face.

Angel Trees will be located at local businesses and clubs including Russo Salon, Sami Fine Jewelry, Neighborhood Property Owners’ Association of Fountain Hills (NPOAFH), Wells Fargo Bank, UMB Bank, MidFirst Bank, the Noon Kiwanis Club and the Sunset Kiwanis Club.

Christmas Angel timeline

Beginning the week of Oct. 16, upwards of 730 applications will be sent to families with students in the Little Falcons Preschool, McDowell Mountain Elementary School, Fountain Hills Middle School, H’man ‘shawa Early Childhood Development Center, Here We Grow Learning Center and other local schools where families with students from pre-K through the seventh grade will sign and return the applications complete with their Christmas wish lists.

Once returned, the applications will be transformed into Angel Tags and a week before Thanksgiving, be placed on the Angel Trees located at the aforementioned clubs and businesses throughout town. The community has until Monday, Dec. 11, to fill the tags and return the new gifts unwrapped.

By Saturday, Dec. 16, the gifts will be gathered and distributed to families at the McDowell Mountain Elementary School.

Due to district consolidation, the McDowell Mountain Elementary School is now located at 15414 E. McDowell Mountain Rd., where families can pick up their gifts on Dec. 16, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“Really anybody whose family is in our town and has a need is eligible,” Conti said. “It’s certainly not limited to our school district, but that is of course the largest audience for us.”

Conti said anyone interested to become a Christmas Angel for local children this year is meaningful especially for those burdened by higher prices at home and at the gas pump.

“Gas is five bucks plus a gallon. What’s more important, getting to work or getting your kid a Christmas present?” Conti said. “It’s just nice to have something positive, feel good, everybody-can-be-involved thing for our community.”

For questions or to get involved, reach out to Peter Conti directly at peter@movinginformation.com.