Press Releases

Christmas Idea House Comes to Gilbert
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Christmas Comes Early for Women's Service Club
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Desert Club Awards $26,000 in Scholarships to East Valley Students…
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The 52nd annual Christmas Idea House holiday home tour and shopping event will be held in Gilbert this year, Dec. 3-5, at the 6,700 sq. ft.  home of Jakes Ranch residents Tim and Julie Vasquez.

The Christmas Idea House, which has become an annual tradition for thousands of visitors each year, is the primary fundraiser for Desert Club, and all-volunteer women's organization. All proceeds go toward student scholarships and grants to local community charities. To date, Desert Club has raised more than $2.1 million.

The event begins Thursday, Dec. 3 with a reservation-only "Holiday Soiree" cocktail and social, which includes a preview home tour, live music, gourmet food and a silent auction. The following morning features a reservation-only "Christmas Continental Breakfast" and preview home tour. The home is open to the general public on Friday, Dec. 4 from 3-9 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased at the entry. Parking and shuttle services are on Lindsay Road between Williams Field and Frye Roads (follow signs).

The highlight of the holiday home tour is what is found inside and out… a spectacular display of holiday décor, gourmet treats and unique gifts, all for sale to raise money for need-based scholarships and community charities. "This year the trend is to simplify," said Desert Club president Suzanne Milczarek. "It's about making Christmas beautiful, elegant, enjoyable and meaningful on a smaller budget."

As the owners of Someburros Mexican food, the Vasquez' are no strangers to hospitality and entertaining, and their beautiful 6,700 square-foot home balances both elegance and a family-friendly quality. By "lending" their home for this annual event, they are able to give back to the local community in a very special way.

Desert Club, now in its 62nd year, is made up of service-minded women who want to make a difference in the community. "These women are so dedicated…," said Milczarek. "They really care about sharing their talents in order to help others reach their full potential."

For more information on Desert Club or the Christmas Idea House, visit www.christmasideahouse.org.

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Planning for Christmas comes early for members of Desert Club, an all-volunteer women's service organization, as they prepare for the 52nd annual "Christmas Idea House" holiday home tour and shopping event, held Dec. 3-5 in Gilbert.

The Christmas Idea House, which has become an annual tradition for thousands of visitors each year, is Desert Club's primary fundraiser. All proceeds go toward student scholarships and grants to local community charities. To date, Desert Club has raised more than $2.1 million.

Desert Club, now in its 62nd year, is made up of service-minded women who want to make a difference in the community. "These women are so dedicated…," said Desert Club president Suzanne Milczarek. "They really care about sharing their talents in order to help others reach their full potential."

The event begins Thursday, Dec. 3 with a reservation-only "Holiday Soiree" cocktail and social, which includes a preview home tour and a silent auction. The following morning features a reservation-only "Christmas Continental Breakfast" and home tour. Public tour hours are on Friday, Dec. 4 from 3-9 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets for the public tours and shopping are $7 each and can be purchased at the entry.

This year's theme is "Enchanted Elves," and the three-day event will be held at the home of Tim and Julie Vasquez of Gilbert. As the owners of Someburros Mexican food, they are no strangers to hospitality and entertaining, and their beautiful 6,700 square-foot home balances both elegance and a family-friendly quality.

The highlight of the holiday home tour is what is found inside and out… a spectacular display of holiday décor, gourmet treats and unique gifts, all for sale to raise money for need-based scholarships and community charities. "This year the trend is to simplify," Milczarek said. "It's about making Christmas beautiful, elegant, enjoyable and meaningful on a smaller budget."

For more information on Desert Club or the Christmas Idea House, visit www.christmasideahouse.org.

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Nineteen deserving young students were recognized at Desert Club's annual "Scholarship Night" on Wednesday, April 8, 7 p.m. at the Women's Club of Mesa.

The scholarships, ranging from $500 to $1,750 were given to applicants carefully chosen by a committee based upon grades, community service, financial need and work. All will be attending Arizona colleges and universities in the fall.

"There were many worthy candidates to choose from," said current Desert Club president Suzanne Milczarek. "And we feel we picked the cream of the crop." Some of the recipients are the only ones in their families to graduate from high school, and many will be the first to attend college.

Scholarship Night is the highlight for Desert Club members, whose hard work throughout the year to plan and put on the annual "Christmas Idea House" finally pays off. "We are proud of our success (at the Christmas Idea House) and feel so lucky to share the proceeds of the fundraiser with these deserving young students," said Milczarek.

Desert Club is an all-volunteer women's service club that is in its 64th year. In addition to the scholarships, $25,000 in grants will also be awarded to non-profit groups, specifically those that serve women and children. To date, Desert Club has raised more than $2,000,000, all of which has been given back to the community.

Desert Club's primary fundraiser, the Christmas Idea House, is a three-day event that takes place during the first weekend in December. This event features a luxury home tour, holiday shopping boutique and reservation-only dinner, brunch and lunch affairs. The club also relies on the generosity of corporate and individual donors. For more information on Desert Club, visit our website at www.christmasideahouse.org.

High resolution photos will be available

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