The Town Council has endorsed the idea of placing a Christmas tree to honor first responders on the Avenue of the Fountains during the holiday season that would be purchased through donations.

Residents Lina Bellenir and Bob Scarpetti, a retired police officer from Chicago, presented their idea to the council at its April 2 session.

“We want to thank these individuals and want to be there for them as they are for us,” Bellenir said.

A blue lighted tree would show the respect and appreciation citizens have for them, Bellenir said. She added that as far as they have been able to determine this would be a first of its kind honor.

Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin said she discussed the idea with Bellenir and Scarpetti and she proposed to the council a tree the same size as the one they have placed at Saguaro Boulevard in Sharon Morgan Plaza the past couple of years.

The plan calls for a 15-foot tree placed on one of the Avenue plazas at Verde River Drive and decorated to symbolize and recognize first responders such as police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and other personnel who engage in public safety activities for the protection of the community, region and county.

Currently the town has a contact for holiday decorations on the Avenue at approximately $35,000 per year. The additional tree would add $8,000, according to Goodwin, which the town anticipates would be raised through donations. Town Manager Grady Miller said the town would sponsor any costs related to creating and installing a temporary base similar to the one currently used at Morgan Plaza.

Miller said they were asking for council approval to provide time for fundraising because the Holiday Lighting Company would need to know around June to plan for the additional décor.

The council voted 6-0 in favor of the motion to allow the tree.

For more information about the first responder tree and information about donating contact BlueChristmas2019@gmail.com.