Marlborough Mesa

NOVEMBER 2002

Nov 10, 2002

GIVING IN THE AIR 3RD ANNUAL DRIVE IN WORKS
Christmas is always a busy time of year, with the frantic shopping for gifts, mailing of packages and preparing for that big holiday celebration. But many families in our community won't have a celebration to enjoy unless the residents of MM step up to the plate.

That's why our 3rd Annual MM Toy Drive is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, between 11a.m. and 1p.m. at the MM park on Alma School Road.

This is our chance to give kids, who otherwise might not have a merry Christmas, a happy holiday by donation new, wrapped or unwrapped toys ranging between $5 to as much as you want to spend. All gifts are going to the East Valley Child Crisis Center. If the gift is wrapped, please write an age and gender somewhere on the gift.

Santa Claus in also scheduled to touch down at the Saturday event, although the reindeer an sleigh will be in the garage for minor repairs. However, you can still get a picture of Santa, along with your favorite elves, for only $1. All net proceeds from the event will also be donated to the East Valley Child Crisis Center. There will be an inflatable bouncy house for the kids to run off energy, along with sub sandwiches, soda, water, coffee and cake for all.

So What can YOU do to Help?
We need the following donations to amke this event even better: Christmas decorations we could use at the park; gift wrap; a karaoke machine or some other music system that could run on batteries to play Christmas music duting the event.

We also need at least a three-person cleaning crew to prepare the park the morning of the event, and anyone who would like to assist with handling food and moving things along during and after the event.

Food is always good: Three bags fo potato chips; three bags fo Doritos; several cases of sada; water; boses of hot cocoa or cider; paper plates; paper napkins; plastic forks and festive tablecloths. Cookies, cakes, etc are a great way to help Santa's helpers.

We could also use some teens, Boy or Girl Scouts, or anyone who could make a banner, assis in logistics an operations and distribute flyers in the neighborhood the week before the event.

Last year's event brough more than a truck full of joy to children and families in a crisis. Neighbors, let's do this again; but make it bigger and better.

If you can assist us with any of the following, please contact wither Sandra Fischer at 820-2773 (email uffdaskf@cableaz.com) or Sandy Scully at 345-9823 (email sscully@peoplepc.com) by no later than November 16.

HALLOWEEN BRINGS OUT GHOULS IN M-MESA
MM residents were treated to a bone-tickling night as more than 200 ghouls, goblins and assorted trick-or-treaters descended on our normally scare-free neighborhood.

Residents on Peralta banded together to close their street anf start a block party with neighbors, enjoying the evening with parties and get-togethers.

"It was great to have all the kids out and meet our neighbors," said Aaron Grace, a Peralta resident who had a large inflatable pumpkin in his front yard. "We sure had lot's of kids." A deluge of really cute children collected candy and other prizes during their outing, which also saw a lot of residents getting to know their neighbors.

"I love it when it gets a little cooler and we can really be out in the neighborhood with our children,: said Monette Coyle, a Posada resident. "My daughter just loves to dress up, and it also gives me a chance to connect with my neighbors."

FROST FACTS
Fundraiser Scheduled
Our local school, Frost Elementary is holding a fundraiser on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 8p.m. at Arby's on Guadalupe and Alma School roads. Come out and help our school and enjoy a meal without dishes.

Frost PTO Boutique
Need a gift? Tghe PTO Holiday Gift Boutique is at Frost Elementary on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9a.m. to 2p.m. Get your Christmas shopping done early. A wide variety of gifts, priced from .50 cents to $10, for kids to shop for families. Support your local school and cross off a few gifts at the same time.

MM RESIDENTS SCOOP UP AWARDS
With such a fantastic neighborhood, it's not much of a surprise that a lot of our neighbors would win so many awards at the city of Mesa's "Spirit of Mesa Neighborhood Excellence Awards."

MM won awards through the efforts of our neighbors, based on our safety and beautification projects, along with our 'Ambassador Program," our Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Toy Drives.

Winners from our neighborhood named for "Neighborhood Excellence" included: Renee Cefalu; Becky Trudgeon; Bob & Lolita Gates; Alma Jones; Sandy Scully; Linda Murphy; Diane LeFevre and Michelle Geramanis.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST SLATED
Council member Dennis Kavanaugh is inviting MM residents to a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10:30a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at fire station 204, 1426 S. Extension Road.

MM TEEN COMPLETES WALK
Local teen Lindsay Embree finished her 50-mile walk in support of Multiple Sclerosis. She thanks MM residents for their support. Way to go, Lindsay!!