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  • 🤝 How Season for Sharing helps nonprofit 🎆 Gilbert Issues Guidelines for Safe and Legal Fireworks đź’ˇ Gilbert Couple Innovates Financial Gifting and more...

🤝 How Season for Sharing helps nonprofit 🎆 Gilbert Issues Guidelines for Safe and Legal Fireworks 💡 Gilbert Couple Innovates Financial Gifting and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #048

Author

Lloyd Heath
December 25, 2023

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

 đź“… Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

 đź¤ť How Season for Sharing helps nonprofit food banks keep Arizonans fed all year

 đźš¨ Gilbert Police Seek Public's Aid in August Aggravated Robbery Case

 đź¤” Gilbert wrestles with how to complete coming victims advocacy center

 đźŽ† Gilbert Issues Guidelines for Safe and Legal Fireworks Use in New Year Celebrations

 đź’ˇ Gilbert Couple Innovates Financial Gifting with One-Share Stocks on GiveAShare.com

 đź’ˇ Illuminating the Valley: Discover the Top Holiday Light Spectacles This Season

December Ongoing

December Upcoming Events

How Season for Sharing helps nonprofit food banks keep Arizonans fed all year

In Mesa, Carl Clement, a 66-year-old retiree living alone, faced financial strain with rising bills. He aspired to host a special Thanksgiving dinner for his family, a dream made possible by the holiday food box from United Food Bank. This gesture deeply moved Clement, expressing immense gratitude for the donors and the joy of family unity during the meal.

United Food Bank, benefiting from The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing campaign, aids many, including children in food insecurity. The campaign raised over $1.6 million, supporting 158 nonprofits. Several recipients, like AZCEND and Valley View Community Food Bank, provide substantial food assistance to Arizonans. Valley View also organizes a Christmas toy drive, bringing holiday cheer to families like Irene Infante's, struggling with health issues and the loss of her son. Kitchen on the Street significantly impacted Sabrina Valdez's family, aiding them amidst domestic violence aftermath and providing essential meals. Similarly, Foundation for Senior Living offered a lifeline to Terri Cass, an 85-year-old who relocated due to health issues, now finding community and activities at the foundation's center.

The Season for Sharing initiative continues to invite donations, ensuring all contributions directly benefit the community, supporting teachers, students, older residents, and struggling families.

Gilbert Police Seek Public's Aid in August Aggravated Robbery Case

An aggravated robbery occurred near Williams Field Road and Market Street in Gilbert late in the evening on August 18. The Gilbert Police Department, seeking to solve this crime, has released photos from that night and is asking the public for assistance in identifying the individuals involved. The incident took place in a parking lot around 10:25 p.m., and the department has urged anyone with information to come forward, offering a hotline and an anonymous tip submission option.

As part of a broader strategy, the department is reviewing cases involving youth from the past two years to find any connections that might aid current and past investigations. Collaborating with neighboring jurisdictions, the police are sharing information to enhance the effectiveness of their efforts. In addition to these investigative measures, the department has increased patrols in high-traffic youth areas, particularly around malls and the Downtown Heritage District, to ensure safety and deter potential criminal activity. The community is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the police's non-emergency line or dial 911 in emergencies.

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Gilbert wrestles with how to complete coming victims advocacy center

The Gilbert Police Department is prioritizing the establishment of a victims advocacy center, with an ambitious budget of $85 million. The town has already allocated approximately $43 million for the project, sufficient to commence Phase 1 next fall. This initial phase will see the construction of a 26,266-square-foot facility within the public safety complex on Civic Center Drive, dedicated to investigations, advocacy, and counseling services for victims. Police Chief Michael Soelberg emphasized the comprehensive design of Phase 1, ensuring it meets all necessary requirements to support victims effectively. However, subsequent phases, crucial for providing workspaces for employees (Phase 2) and a multipurpose room (Phase 3), still require funding. The project has witnessed substantial cost increases, initially estimated at $16 million for 19,000 square feet but now expanded to $85 million for 60,540 square feet due to added phases and inflation. The town is exploring various funding avenues, including sales-tax increases and bonding, to support this and other capital projects.

Gilbert Issues Guidelines for Safe and Legal Fireworks Use in New Year Celebrations

Gilbert, Arizona, has established guidelines for the safe use of non-aerial fireworks during New Year celebrations, permissible from December 24 to January 3 on private property. The town emphasizes safety and legal compliance, with a strict prohibition of fireworks on public property and a $1,000 fine for violations. Safety measures include adult supervision, wearing tight clothing, using fireworks outdoors away from flammable materials, and maintaining a safe distance for spectators. Gilbert Fire & Rescue advises soaking used fireworks in water for 24 hours before disposal to prevent fires. Residents are encouraged to report illegal fireworks to the Gilbert Police Department’s non-emergency line and to be considerate of neighbors, particularly veterans and pets, by avoiding late-night use. The town aims for everyone to enjoy a safe and festive New Year.

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Gilbert Couple Innovates Financial Gifting with One-Share Stocks on GiveAShare.com

Leslie Roman, a resident of Gilbert, and her husband, Rick, took an innovative approach to financial education by founding GiveAShare.com. This online platform offers a unique gift idea, allowing individuals to purchase one or more shares from a selection of 150 companies. Initially aimed at children, the Romans soon discovered the concept appealed to a broader audience as a tangible and meaningful present. Leslie recalls how customers have shared their positive experiences, including a touching story about a man whose granddaughter benefited significantly from a single share of Disney stock.

GiveAShare.com simplifies the process of buying stock as a gift, handling everything from registration to delivering a framed stock certificate. These shares offer the same rights and benefits as any other stock, including dividends and invites to shareholder meetings, along with special perks from some companies. Leslie and Rick's personal journey into finance and investing deeply influenced the inception of GiveAShare.com. They experienced the cumbersome process of buying stock through brokers and saw the opportunity to create a more user-friendly service.

The company also caters to collectors, offering stock certificates signed by notable figures like Warren Buffet. For companies that have gone paperless, GiveAShare.com provides personalized replica certificates. The Romans' own experience with investing and gift-giving has been a testament to the educational and financial value of this unique approach. Their family, including three daughters with diverse careers and interests, has also embraced the world of stocks, learning about investment firsthand.

Now a bustling business, especially during the Christmas season, GiveAShare.com operates from the Romans' property, where they continue to innovate and expand their services. This entrepreneurial story highlights the blend of personal finance, gift-giving, and education, all centered around the practical and symbolic value of owning a single share of stock.

Illuminating the Valley: Discover the Top Holiday Light Spectacles This Season

The Valley transforms into a wonderland of lights during the holidays, with John Nelson's Queen Creek home being a standout with its 70,000 lights. While concerns about high electric bills from such displays exist, the use of energy-efficient LED lights minimizes the impact. The community is invited to experience the magic firsthand or through virtual showcases, as the Valley offers a range of festive lighting experiences from residential creativity to organized municipal and commercial displays.

  • Vertuccio Farms in Mesa transforms into "Arizona's largest walk-through synchronized Christmas light show" with 10 acres of lights set to Christmas music. The farm enhances the festive atmosphere with food, music, and a 4,000-square-foot synthetic ice-skating surface. Located at 4011 S. Power Road, "Lights at the Farms" invites guests to a unique holiday experience running through December 30.

  • Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek offers a Christmas wonderland with activities like a carousel, Santa visits, mini-golf, bonfires, and ice skating. The farm's light displays are best enjoyed on the Illumination Express Train. Located at 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, the festive event runs through December 24.

  • The Phoenix Zoo's ZooLights is a long-standing holiday tradition, dazzling visitors with over 4 million lights, wildlife lanterns, and a 50-foot floating tree with synchronized lights. Located at 455 N. Galvin Parkway, the event, offering a blend of animal encounters and a holiday wonderland, runs until January 14.

  • Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Glendale Glitters lights up Downtown Glendale with festive decorations and holiday installations, including a giant snowman. The event, near 59th and Glendale avenues, offers a vibrant holiday experience running through January 1.

  • Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix hosts Las Noches de las Luminarias, offering luminaria-lit trails and holiday lights for a serene experience. This Southwest tradition involves candles in brown-paper bags, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The event at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway runs until December 30.

  • Christmas at The Princess at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort features a four-story musical tree, ice skating, Princess Express trains, and over 6.5 million Lagoon Lights. This winter wonderland at 7575 E. Princess Drive offers a festive experience through January 6.

  • Enchant Christmas at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale offers a large light maze, ice skating, and a Christmas Village with artisan shops and an Ice Bar for adults. This immersive holiday experience runs through December 31 at 7555 N. Pima Road.

  • Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza in Old Town Scottsdale offers free events, culinary demos, and family activities, plus art installations and an illuminated Christmas tree at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The festive event runs through December 31.

  • World of Illumination presents two themed drive-thru light displays: "Reindeer Road" in Glendale at Desert Diamond Casino and "Cosmic Sleighride" in Tempe at Diablo Stadium, both running through December 31.

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