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Christmas fundraisers hope donations improve
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HOLIDAY HOME: This year’s Christmas Idea House home tour features the Gilbert home of Tim and Julie Vasquez, with decorations by members of the Desert Club.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Organizers of a 52-year-old fundraising event that’s become a Christmastime tradition in the East Valley hope to exceed last year’s total proceeds, which were down about 50 percent due to the economy.
Last year’s Christmas Idea House home tour and shopping event, which raises money for scholarships and a variety of charities, took in substantially less than previous years as the area continued to reel from the bad economy, said Christine Anthony, a member of the nonprofit women’s service organization Desert Club, which puts on the annual event.
“Normally we bring in ... a little over $100,000 over that few days,” she said. “I think last year was maybe $50,000.”
Anthony said if the group can attract a larger crowd this year, it may make up for some expected smaller donations.
“If you can reach more people — and even if they are holding back — perhaps you can push the numbers a little bit,” she said.
The Christmas Idea House is a tradition in the Valley dating back to 1958. Every year members of the Desert Club take over a home in the East Valley for three days and deck its halls with garland, wreathes, Christmas trees, gifts and gourmet treats and other holiday decor. The holiday adornments in this year’s 6,700-square-foot house are for sale.
In total, the Desert Club said it has raised $2.1 million through the event.
“Usually we just have someone that kind of knows who we are and wants to help out, and that’s their way of serving the community is to donate their house,” she said. “And they actually move out for a week.”
Organizers will stage this year’s event at the home of Gilbert residents Tim and Julie Vasquez, owners of Someburros, an East Valley chain of Mexican restaurants.
“For them not to be able to decorate their own home and have to wait for this to pass ... well into December, that’s a great thing,” Anthony said.
The proceeds benefit a range of charities including the Child Crisis Center, Sojourner Center and Save the Family Foundation of Arizona.
Christmas Idea House home tour
When: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Parking: Parking and shuttle service at 2740 S. Lindsay Road, between Williams Field and Frye roads.
Cost: $7 per person.
More information: www.christmasideahouse.org.
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