Giving Back: Local Ways to Support the Community This Holiday Season
Giving Back Casey Walag November 24, 2025
Giving Back Casey Walag November 24, 2025
The holiday season in Arizona brings a mix of Thanksgiving gratitude and Christmas generosity — from crisp fall mornings to twinkling December lights. It’s a time centered around togetherness, reflection, and giving back to the community. Whether you live in Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, or Queen Creek, there are countless ways to support local families, donate to meaningful causes, and volunteer your time in ways that make a true difference.
This time of year, giving back becomes a powerful reminder of what matters most: kindness, compassion, and the strength of the neighborhoods we call home. From holiday food drives and Christmas toy collections to charity runs and hands-on volunteer opportunities, here are some of the best ways to support the community this holiday season across Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek.
The holiday season is filled with traditions — from warm Thanksgiving meals to festive Christmas celebrations — but it can also be a challenging time for many families. Rising food costs, unexpected expenses, and increased need for community assistance mean that countless households rely on local resources for support.
When you give back during the holidays — whether donating canned goods, contributing toys, purchasing gift cards, or volunteering your time — you’re uplifting neighbors who may be facing hardship. Your generosity strengthens the community, provides relief to families, and spreads the spirit of the season in meaningful ways.
Supporting the community during both Thanksgiving and Christmas is a beautiful way to model kindness for our children, connect with others, and make a direct impact in the cities we love, including Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek.
Food drives and toy drives are some of the most impactful ways to give back during the holiday season. Every donated item helps a family enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, ensures a child has a gift to open on Christmas morning, or provides essential items to households that need support.
Below are standout holiday donation opportunities in Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek.
Chandler’s Golden Neighbors program is hosting a festive holiday gathering for senior residents from 9–11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Chandler City Hall Courtyard. Seniors attending the event will receive a holiday gift made possible by community donations.
You can contribute by:
Gifts will be accepted through Monday, Dec. 8, and donations support Chandler seniors throughout the year. For more details, call 480-782-4362.
The Chandler Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for families in need through Dec. 14.
Drop-off locations include:
You can also donate at these holiday events:
This drive ensures Chandler children experience the magic of the season.
AZCEND
AZCEND continues to support Chandler families year-round and is currently seeking high-need pantry essentials such as noodles, pasta sauce, tuna or chicken, rice, mac and cheese, cereal, peanut butter, and soup. Donations can be dropped off Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at 345 S. California St., Chandler 85225. For questions, call 480-963-1423.
Salvation Army – Chandler Corps
The Salvation Army is also collecting much-needed staples, including noodles, pasta sauce, tuna or chicken, rice, mac and cheese, cereal, peanut butter, and soup. Donations are accepted Tuesday–Friday from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed 12–1 p.m.) at 85 E. Saragosa St., Chandler 85225. Contact 480-963-1423 for more information.
Chandler Care Center
The Chandler Care Center pantry supports local families with items such as canned vegetables, canned fruit, soup, peanut butter, rice, pasta, cereal, and pinto beans. Donations may be dropped off Monday–Thursday from 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.and Friday from 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at 777 E. Galveston St., Chandler 85225. Call 480-812-7900 with any questions.
The Blue Line Holiday Drive supports local families during the Christmas season, with donations accepted Nov. 18 – Dec. 13 for the 2025 holiday cycle.
Items needed:
Drop-off locations:
Special collection event: Photos with Santa — Dec. 11, 2025
Donation hours: Monday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Food items needed:
Baby essentials needed:
A simple and impactful way to support Gilbert families.
Vista del Camino’s Adopt-A-Family Program relies on community generosity to brighten the holiday season for Scottsdale families in need. Here are the different ways you can contribute:
· Monetary Donations
Support the Adopt-A-Family Program directly through online donations, helping Vista del Camino provide holiday assistance to local families.
· Food Donations
Contribute non-perishable items to the Vista del Camino Food Bank to help supply Thanksgiving meal kits for families experiencing hardship.
· Teen Gift Donations
Teens are often the most overlooked group during the holidays. Donors can give items specifically requested by teens through the program’s Teen Wish List (PDF).
· Adopt a Family
Individuals, families, businesses, or community groups can sponsor one or more families for the holidays. Sponsors provide holiday gifts, clothing, food, and household essentials for their matched family.
· Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to help screen applicants, sort donations, and assist with program logistics. Volunteering is a hands-on way to directly support families benefiting from the program.
December 8–20, 2024
Scottsdale Quarter is partnering with The Foster Alliance (formerly Arizona Helping Hands) for its annual Holiday Toy Drive. From Dec. 8–20, the center will be collecting new toys and new clothing for babies, children, and teens.
Donations can be dropped off at The Quad, where you’ll find a clearly marked collection bin.
The Foster Alliance has been making the holidays brighter for children in foster care across Arizona since 1998, and this toy drive continues to bring joy to families statewide.
A full wish list of needed items is available for donors who want guidance on what to give.
The Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek and the Queen Creek Family Resource Center are teaming up once again to host the 17th Annual Kids’ Christmas Car Show & Toy Drive — a fun, festive way to support local children during the holiday season.
Event Details:
• Saturday, December 13, 2025
• 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Desert Mountain Park, Queen Creek
• Entry: $20 + one unwrapped toy (for both boys and girls)
All cars, trucks, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles are welcome. Attendees can enjoy:
• Award categories
• Raffles
• Food vendors
• A family-friendly holiday atmosphere
To register or learn more:
• Register online: https://zurl.co/6cDhz
• Event info: 480-272-3705
This event is a great way for Queen Creek residents to give back while enjoying a fun community tradition.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trots — have become a cherished Arizona tradition.
· Strut Your Stuffing 5K (Chandler) — Thursday, November 27, at Tumbleweed Park, Chandler (745 E. Germann Rd, Chandler AZ 85286). Race day packet pick-up 6:30–7:30 a.m.; 5K start at 8:00 a.m. 131events.com
· Gilbert Turkey Trot — Thursday, November 27, 2025, at SanTan Village (2218 E. Williams Field Rd, Gilbert AZ 85295). Fun Run (1 mile) begins at 8:30 a.m.; 5K starts at 9:00 a.m. Packet pick-up Wednesday (Nov 26) 4:00–7:00 p.m. at parking lot east of Dick’s Sporting Goods. gilbertturkeytrot.com+1
· Scottsdale Turkey Trot — Thursday, November 27, 2025, at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa (7700 E. McCormick Pkwy, Scottsdale AZ 85258). Race check-in begins at 7:30 a.m.; race start at 8:30 a.m. Scottsdale Turkey Trot
· Queen Creek Turkey Trot — Thursday, November 27, at East Village Loop Park (21093 E. Calle De Flores, Queen Creek AZ 85142). Start time: 9:00 a.m. Church of Jesus Christ Locations
A fun way to start the season with community spirit while supporting local causes.
Family-friendly ways to get involved:
These small acts create meaningful traditions rooted in compassion.
The holidays offer a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate everything we have — but also to help others who may be struggling. Whether you donate food, provide gifts, participate in a charity event, or volunteer your time, your generosity supports the Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek communities in ways that truly matter.
If you’re considering putting down roots in a place where community runs deep and giving back is part of the culture, I’d love to help you find your home here. Living in Arizona offers something truly special — especially during the holiday season.
Whenever you're ready to explore your next chapter, I’m here to help you make it feel like home.
📞 Call/Text me today to start your home search! Casey Walag 480-455-7659 or [email protected]
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