Tribal Social Services hosts Christmas Party for Youth
Victoria Baker
CPAO Intern
The holiday season in the Community brings a sense of unity and joy as Tribal Social Services (TSS) hosted their annual Christmas Event for families on Dec. 13 at Gila River Resorts & Casinos - San Tan Mountain.
This year’s event was full of festive fun despite some challenges. With a change in location just days before the celebration, the event team worked hard to secure a new venue, enlisting the support of Community directors and the Gila River Casino to make it happen.
Despite the last-minute changes, the party was a hit. Several Community departments stepped up to make the day special for the children, setting up game booths that included activities like making your ornament, corn hole, and even creating vision boards. Santa and Mrs. Claus brought smiles to the faces of every child, while TSS volunteers kept the holiday spirit alive by painting faces and distributing gifts to the kids.
Thanks to generous donations, the event was even sweeter. Gila River Farms donated fresh citrus for attendees, and elders from the Community baked delicious cakes that added a special homemade touch. The Community’s support was evident through donated toys and gifts collected throughout November. While gifts for younger children and teens are always in high demand, the Community rallied to meet the need.
To ensure inclusivity, TSS worked closely with caterers to provide kid-friendly food, including chicken tenders, fries, pasta, and cookies. The event also started with a blessing, a tradition that honors the Community’s cultural values. TSS plans to expand on cultural activities for future events, partnering with Tribal Education and the Huhugam Heritage Center to bring even more traditions to life. Alex Villalobos, Training Coordinator added, “We were planning on having a sensory friendly time for our clients who can get over stimulated but with our change in venue and time, we weren’t able to do that this year. We do plan on doing that next year so that we are more inclusive.”
With the support of local businesses, departments, and generous volunteers, the Gila River Christmas event was a reminder of the strength and love within the Community.