Gifts will be distributed Saturday, Dec. 21, at the McDowell Mountain Elementary School.

Times Independent file photo

Want to get involved?

Beginning the week of Thanksgiving, Angel Trees will go up.

Gifts must be returned by Dec. 16.

Gifts will be distributed Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McDowell Mountain Elementary School.

-For questions, contact Peter Conti at peter@movinginformation.com.

Angel Tree locations:

-Russo Salon

-Sami Fine Jewelry

-NPOA of Fountain Hills

-UMB Bank

-MidFirst Bank

-Noon Kiwanis and Sunset Kiwanis Clubs

By Cyrus Guccione
Mail

As the holiday season approaches, Fountain Hills residents Peter and Theresa Conti are gearing up to bring joy to local children through their annual Christmas Angel Program.

This initiative, now in its ninth year under the leadership of the Conti Foundation, offers businesses, clubs and families a chance to ensure every child in the community receives a special gift during the holidays.

Last year, the program supported 156 children, marking a record for the Fountain Hills Christmas Angel initiative.

“The main goal of this national program is to ensure families in need experience the joy of Christmas,” says Peter Conti.

Starting the week of Thanksgiving, Angel Trees will appear at local businesses and organizations, adorned with Angel Tags that list gift requests for children in the area.

The trees will be located at places like Russo Salon, Sami Fine Jewelry, the Neighborhood Property Owners’ Association of Fountain Hills, UMB Bank, MidFirst Bank, the Noon Kiwanis Club and the Sunset Kiwanis Club.

Community members can select a tag, purchase the gift and help make a child’s holiday special.

Students attending the Little Falcons Preschool, McDowell Mountain Elementary School, Fountain Hills Middle School and others will be notified of the Christmas Angel program.

The program encourages participation from students in pre-K through seventh grade.

The deadline for returning unwrapped gifts under the Angel Trees is set for Monday, Dec. 16.

Gifts will be distributed Saturday, Dec. 21, at the McDowell Mountain Elementary School, where families can pick up gifts from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

As the holiday season approaches, Conti thanks the community for its support and for proving the spirit of giving can make a lasting impact for local families and neighbors.

“We always have fantastic community support,” says Conti. “Thankfully, we rarely ever have to worry about a tag not being taken but we fill every tag regardless.”

For more information, contact Peter Conti at peter@movinginformation.com or visit ptcontifoundation.org.

McDowell Mountain Elementary School is located at 15414 E. McDowell Mountain Rd.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Cyrus Guccione can be reached at cguccione@iniusa.org.