How to Give Back this Holiday Season in Downtown Flagstaff: 2023
Category: Downtown Blog
Give back this holiday season...
The holidays are a magical time of year that bring people together in celebration and joy. Downtown Flagstaff is an enriched and tight knit community that provides plenty of opportunity to give back and bring cheer to someone in need. Scattered across town are Toy for Tots donation boxes as well as giving trees, bringing you the opportunity to find a gift to give that not only inspires you but instills holiday cheer in the recipient.
Giving trees are also an accessible and wonderful way to donate back this holiday season. Found within stores downtown you are able to pick an ornament card off a tree of your choosing and purchase the gift designated to that ornament. These trees give the chance to people in need to receive something they have really been wishing for.
Shoes and Such has a beautiful giving tree on display in their window. This tree is also in partner with Northland Family Help center, ensuring that those experiencing homelessness receive a gift to make their holiday season special. All gifts are requested to be returned by December 21st and placed within a gift bag. The beauty of these trees is that you are able to pick a tag that resonates with you, whether the recipient is similar in age or is requesting something that is also on your wishlist this winter.
Visit Brightside Bookshop for a holiday book drive to and giving tree to support the Flagstaff Literacy Center. Choose an ornament with a specific book title and shop for that specific novel or something similar, feel free to donate just one book or multiple! Books can be the perfect gift this season to not only bring enrichment and education but joy to these chilly winter months.
Head over to Mountain Sports for their giving tree in partnership with Northland Family Health Center! This giving tree aims to make sure that families and individuals experiencing homelessness have something to bring them the holiday cheer that this time of year is all about. Take a tag from the tree and purchase the specified gift, drop it off at Mountain Sports Flagstaff by December 21st before 5 p.m. Partner with a friend and shop for a tag together or spread the word to your community so all tags will be chosen to make this festive season special.
Rainbows End has an amazing tree set up in partnership with Sharon Manor. Sharon Manor is transitional housing for those who have been impacted by homelessness and domestic violence. The tags placed upon this tree are for children living at Sharon Manor. Choose a tag off the tree and return the gift unwrapped by December 8th.
Tourist Home has a beautiful tree partnering with Coconino County Health and Human Services to collect gifts for seniors with disabilities. Head over to pick up a tag after brunch and find the perfect gift for the seniors of our community!
Toys for Tots is a nonprofit organization that promotes a mission “to collect, purchase, and distribute toys to the needy children”. These donation boxes can be found at many locations within downtown Flagstaff. You can visit businesses like Flagstaff Tattoo, Run Flagstaff, Theatrikos, Dark Sky Brewing or a full list of participants can be found here. Bring unwrapped and unused toys to make a difference for a child in need during this giving season.
Downtown Flagstaff is a community that supports each other in times of need. The sense of community and unity is strong and the holiday season amplifies that sense of togetherness that is present year round. Visit a donation box or giving tree this winter to make someone's holiday season all the more special!