It amazes me how beautiful Sedona is in the fall…crispness in the air, the leaves rich in multitudes of color, increased hustle and bustle with our beloved tourists return.

The upcoming season gives me renewed hope each year.   Guess the love from the holidays came from my grandmother.   I moved to Sedona to be close to her and my grandfather in 1975.

She loved the festivities that came from Thanksgiving through New Years.   Some thought her to be a little fanatical about such.    My father loved Christmas more than most children so I guess it was inevitable that I inherited such genes. As I look back with both of them gone from my life -I do want to carry on what I learned from them.    This is a season to give and be thankful of our family, our friends, and our community.

Since moving here I have been an advocate to the non-profits – their hard work has given such richness to our lives. This year, Hillside, which I manage, is going to host a Holiday Hope for Humanity Festival.    Throughout the plaza and shops there will be Christmas trees displaying ornaments made by non-profits throughout the Verde Valley.  I am asking for the kinship of Sedona to get behind raising money for the non–profits which have felt the impact of a depressed economy as has the private sector.

If even one third of our small population supports the event making just one Christmas ornament then we have a chance to make some money for these fine organizations. Hillside will host the trees, but one hundred percent of sales will go to the non- profit of choice to those donating the ornaments.

I am calling on the people of Sedona to take the time to support one of their favorite charities.  I am calling on artists, businesses, individuals, clubs, and volunteers to do something for a good cause.   Do you support the Humane Society, the Arts Center, Keep Sedona Beautiful, Friends of the Forest, Verde Valley Sanctuary, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Chamber of Commerce, Jazz on the Rocks, Northern Arizona Opera League, Chamber Music Society, etc. etc. etc.?    Be creative…do something for them.  Make an ornament and donate it.

After four, five years of construction and a recession I see so many of my friends, business associates seriously depressed.  I am hopeful. The business community is working together fabulously.  The City is collaborating to find balance between the retail, hotel industry and residents.  I think this year is a move to better humanity.  With our individual contribution we will enrich the attitude and remember why we all moved here in the first place – why we now call Sedona home.

Take in for ornaments will be Monday November 22 from 9:00  to noon and Tuesday, 2 to 5 p.m. in the main Hillside courtyard.  Each ornament should be tagged with who made it and the organization they want the proceeds to benefit.  The ornaments will sell for $10 or more if customer is so inclined.  
The event will run from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.

For further information contact Debbie at dpickard@consultinganddesign.net or call me at 282-4500. Karen Reynolds Dilks, Manager Hillside