NORTH
SCOTTSDALE – Before you know it, the holidays are going
to be here.
It’s
hard to think about it after the record summer heat we
just endured.
For
several years residents of the Legend Trail community
gathered and threw a big holiday party to celebrate a
prosperous year. But in 2002, instead of having the usual
December bash for themselves, the holiday planning committee
presented the idea of having an event to benefit a local
charity.
Because
there are so many organizations which enjoy nation‑wide
support, the committee wanted the event to benefit an
Arizona charity involved with helping children. After
researching a number of charities which fit into that
category, it was decided to support Child Crisis Center‑East
Valley in Mesa.
The
Happy Trails for Kids charity event was born.
“Everybody
loves it,” said organizer Roberta Heine. “It’s the best
attended event of the year. We always have a full house.
This is our sixth year and the fourth year for our online
auction.
“The
online auction was begun in order to expand our fundraising
opportunities. Last year our e‑mails
and catalogs reached nearly 9,000 e‑mail addresses.
The online format provides a direct
link to the donor’s Web site and provides item donors
with a valuable platform for visibility within our community.”
This
year, the online auction will run from Nov. 12‑26
and will feature gift certificates for travel, hotels,
restaurants, golf, home services, entertainment and leisure,
adventures and getaways.
“Our
goal is to offer 100 items,” Heine said.
The
live event features a silent auction and a live auction.
Silent auction items include gift certificates and merchandise
donated by Valley restaurants and businesses. The live
auction will feature
a 2008 Lexus sedan and many travel items.
“All
food and beverages are donated
to the event by local restaurants and caterers,” Heine
said. “The Legend Trail Community Association generously
helps to underwrite other expenses and individual residents
and Legend Trail vendors donate cash sponsorships and
new merchandise to the auctions as well.
“For
the fifth year, Sterling Fine Homes & Land is our
presenting sponsor and for the fifth
year The Desert Advocate is our media sponsor.”
Happy
Trails for Kids, the live event, will take place from
5‑8 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Legend Trail Community Center,
34575 N. Legend Trail Pkwy. in Scottsdale.
Tickets
are $40 in advance and $50 at the door (a tax‑deductible
donation). The public is invited.
To
purchase tickets, make checks payable directly to the
Child Crisis Center. They may be purchased at the Legend
Trail Community Center or by calling (480) 556‑1011.
