PHOENIX — Looking for a bright spot in your week? Look no further than this round-up of Valley people in the holiday spirit giving back to their communities.
Pro vs. G.I. Joe, with the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals players and Big Red went head to head Tuesday with military personnel for a video game competition called Pro vs. GI Joe. One participant, Staff Sergeant Kevin Daluz, said, "It's amazing. The fact that we're given the opportunity to come in and just hang out with these guys as peers.” The annual event is hosted in part with the non-profit Joint Forces which connects athletes, celebrities and troops through gaming year-round. "There's so many amazing things going on in the greater Phoenix region. It's kind of cool to shed a little light on what's going on positively," said Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck.
Santa visits the NICU at St. Joseph's Hospital
Santa spread holiday cheer on a smaller scale at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. The tiny patients can't spend the holidays at home so Santa brought the festivities to the babies and their families. The visit was complete with festive onesies and a photo op.
Camelback Mountain Christmas Tree
Speaking of bringing holiday cheer to unexpected places, Camelback Mountain's Christmas tree is back. A group of daily hikers first put the tree up Sunday, Dec. 1. "It's just a fun thing to do", says hiker Seeley James. Now, a group of four to five hikers will make the 30-minute trek up Camelback every morning to decorate the tree.
Christmas at Arizona's Capitol
Last but not least, if one tree isn't enough, how about the 25-foot Blue Spruce at Arizona's Capitol to top it off. Students from Mountain Meadows Primary School donated the massive tree. Those students alongside Benchmark Elementary School students and choir celebrated the tree lighting with Governor Doug Ducey.
