Giving Thanks
Timing is everything. This time of year comes round in the midsts of the holiday hub bub. Thoughts can quickly jump from Halloween to Christmas lists all the while still working, family obligations, and more. This is why we need to take a moment, an entire day even, to give thanks. It is at the center of the hurricane that it is important to pause and take inventory. Thanksgiving is also a uniquely American holiday, and it is the breather we need before the excitement and business of the season.
This time of year when the weather finally feels crisper, nature jumps into action. Fall is a time for harvest and to reap the rewards of careful seeding and planning. Here we provide you with a roundup of some small local farms and bakers that can add some local flavor to your Thanksgiving table. We also have some locals share their traditions and maybe inspire some of your own.
We also speak with Shannon and David Gillette of the Gillette Group and the extraordinary work of their non profit, Purpose Movement. They bring some holiday magic to foster kids and group homes, and even you can join in and help.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with food and family.
Florence Daniels
FLORENCE DANIELS, EDITOR
@QUEENCREEKCITYLIFESTYLE
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Brad Schnepf | brad.schnepf@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Florence Daniels | florence.daniels@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Nichole Eckman | nichole.eckman@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Kaeden Peterson
STAFF WRITER
Breanna Vega
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Ben Cloud
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jenny Kaufman, Ashley Blake
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
queencreek@bloominblinds.com | bloominblinds.com
city scene
1: Launch of Prickly Pages Mobile Bookshop at Sweet Creek Boutique. 2: A customer collecting some books from Prickly Pages. 3: Watermelon eating contest at Founder's Day. 4: Fire and Police of Queen Creek posing on the field at Founder's Day. 5: A girl with face paint and enjoying bubbles with other children. 6: Born N Bread booth at Pecan Lake Farmer's Market. 7: Canyon Scents booth at Pecan Lake Farmer's Market.
K. PETERSON
J. KAUFMAN
J. KAUFMAN
K. PETERSON
K. PETERSON
J. KAUFMAN
J. KAUFMAN
business monthly
Prickly Pages Mobile Bookshop Launches in Queen Creek
The Prickly Pages is Queen Creek’s very own mobile bookstore, bringing stories and community wherever it parks. Housed in a beautifully wrapped pink trailer with a fun, desert vibe, The Prickly Pages is more than a bookshop — it’s an experience. Shoppers can browse curated reads, discover the latest book trends like sprayed edges, and even host private events, book clubs, or girls’ nights with a bookish twist.
Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Dinner
The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce held its 16th annual Business Awards dinner presented by the Salt River Project at Encanterra Country Club. John Bittles was named 2025 Volunteer of the Year. Cortney Von Miller from Silvery Valley Elementary was named 2025 Educator of the Year. Academy Bank was named 2025 Emerging Business of the Year. Knockout Plumbing was named 2025 Business of the Year.
Ribbon Cutting for Queen Creek Med Spa
Queen Creek Med Spa celebrated their grand opening. They are located in Downtown Queen Creek. Queen Creek Med Spa delivers a refined approach to non-invasive aesthetic and wellness treatments, helping clients look and feel their most confident. Their offerings include DiamondGlow facials, Botox, Sculptra, dermal fillers, Liquid Microneedling, hair restoration, waxing, and precision-applied permanent makeup.
Photography by J. Kaufman
Photography by Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce
Photography by Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce
M Y THAN KSGIVI
G TRADITIONS
Every family has their own touch and traditions when it comes to Thanksgiving. Here we talk to four locals about they spend the day, the must have dishes, and what they are grateful for this year.
A FEW LOCALS SHARE THEIR FAVORITE WAYS TO GIVE THANKS.
ARTICLE
BY
FLORENCE DANIELS PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
ASHLEY BLAKE
KRYSTAL LYNN CAREY LORI AND SCOTT NEFF
Owner of Botox Junky
'One tradition I’ve carried over from childhood is going around the table and sharing what we’re thankful for before the meal. Besides the turkey, my must-have is my family’s homemade Pecan Pie—it’s rich, decadent, and always the first dessert gone. In my family, it’s always been potluck style. Everyone has their ‘signature’ dish they bring every year—it’s kind of our tradition. It’s fun to see the same favorites show up.One of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions is starting the day slow—staying in our pajamas, sipping coffee, and watching the parade while the house fills with all the good cooking smells. After dinner, we love to curl up for a movie or just sit around talking and laughing.'
Owners of As You Wish
'For me, it was always about gathering as much family as possible. Today, it is still all about family and friends. Luckily, Arizona has the perfect weather that time of year, so we set up tables and a big buffet outside and enjoy the day together.' Lori says that a few must-haves at the table include 'green bean casserole, rolls, olives, and chocolate cream pie.' Since they tend to host a big crowd, Scott adds, 'These days we need two turkeys. Every year, a youth group at our church smokes turkeys as a camp fundraiser, and we always buy two to support them.' Lori also says that Thanksgiving has to be a group effort. 'My philosophy is “many hands make light work. That way, everyone can enjoy the day instead of one person being stuck in the kitchen.' Scott says, 'Afterwards, we relax with football and conversation before enjoying leftovers in the evening.'
DR. ALEX MATHESON LEAH MARTINEAU
Owner of Matheson Dentistry
The night before Thanksgiving, Dr, Matheson says they dig a pit and have a bonfire around which they drink hot chocolate, eat chili and Fritos, and roast marshmallows. Afterwards they cook a turkey in the barbeque pit all night to enjoy the next day, resulting in a a perfect, tender turkey. Whenever they host, they expect a crowd of roughly 40-50 people. When the weather is nice they play football and other games before eating around lunchtime and grazing the rest of the day. Another tradition is to go around the table and give thanks, but in alphabetical order. In addition to turkey they do the usual sides of stuffing, rolls, and a salad, but also love a pumpkin pie cheesecake. On the day, Dr. Matheson says he cooks the turkey but is also part of the ‘set up and take down’ crew. Finally, the next day they enjoy attending the Arizona state football game.
Vice Mayor of Queen Creek
Leah says a staple of their Thanksgiving are her mother’s rolls, ‘They are perfectly soft, fluffy and buttery.’ Another must is a slice of coconut cream pie. While Leah admits she is not a master in the kitchen she does make a cheeseball, which is a crowd pleaser. She says, ‘I always like to find new activities and adapt to the different stages of life we are in. When my children were younger, I put up a paper tree, and we would add leaves with the things we were thankful for on them. As they got older, we found ways to serve others, like taking a full Thanksgiving meal to group homes.’ Leah loves history and makes sure they understand the meaning behind Thanksgiving. For the last four years, a few from her neighborhood also put on a Turkey Trot.
SHOPPING Local
Breanna Vega is a Queen Creek resident with a passion for all things local. Breanna is a mother, a certified teacher, homeschool mom, entrepreneur and writer. She services faith based independent learning groups as well as builds connections with local entrepreneurs through partnerships, collaborations, and support.
Find your local farms and bakers this Thanksgiving.
ARTICLE BY BREANNA VEGA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNY KAUFMAN
The smell of warm cinnamon, mixed with the aroma of herbs basting in the oven is all too familiar on Thanksgiving. It is the welcomed nostalgia that visits us year after year and somehow we try to dress up tradition and provide a little twist. Do so, by shopping locally at hobby farms, homesteads, and cottage bakeries this fall. Let your guide to shopping local enhance your favorite dishes to come out of the oven this year.
We’ve highlighted six local entities you can visit to elevate your flavor and taste with home grown goodness.
Breanna Vega
QUEEN CREEK BACKYARD ORCHARD
Location: 19439 E. Calle de Flores off of Sossamon and Chandler Heights
Specializes in providing a wide variety of fruits off the branch, jams, and fresh seasonal juices. By Thanksgiving you may find apricots, peaches, plums, apples, persimmons, and figs and by the winter, six varieties of citrus including blood orange, cara cara, tangerines and tangelos. Their orchard also provides a year round supply of delicious home-made jams such as apple butter, apricot, and pomegranate. Don’t miss out on visiting after the holidays, when the new year approaches, they offer citrus tasting tours at their orchard.
RADISH ACRES, THE HOMESTEAD COTTAGE
Location: Homestead off of Brenner Pass, San Tan Mountain Area, For live location visit facebook: Radish Mama
Radish Acres is a working homestead behind San Tan Regional Park that offers meat shares of chicken, pork, and chevron. They also offer chicken, duck and turkey eggs alongside fresh produce ranging from $7 and up. Radish Acres also provides homesteading classes for those who want to learn more about self-cultivation. Radish Acres has also expanded to offer The Homestead Cottage on the property as a rental gathering space that provides a beautiful landscape and table space.
LUCKY 7 FARMS
Location: Germann/Coyote
Provides farm fresh eggs by the dozen for $5 a box. You might pair an egg pickup with some of their seasonal herbs or sign up for a sourdough class or take home some Nigerian Dwarf Goat milk. Lucky 7 Farm’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition is writing on the gratitude pumpkin! A pumpkin is brought to the Thanksgiving table, and everyone shares what they’re thankful for by scribbling a little something with a sharpie. By the end, the pumpkin is filled with markings of gratitude. www.lucky7farmsaz.com
THE PINK CART BAKERY
Location: Crismon and Ocotillo
The Pink Cart Bakery is a local bakery providing fresh baked sourdough. At The Pink Cart Bakery you are receiving a joyfully made local bread made with elbow grease and a lot of love available to pick up porch side. The Pink Cart bakery also has a line of seasonal desserts featuring homemade marshmallows and nutter butters as well as brownies and carmel apples. www.thepinkcartbakery.com
C&C DESERT DELIGHTS
Location: Judd/Hunt Highway (Copper Basin Community), Contact Christine: 605-400-1987
C&C Delights does the cooking for you in her cottage bakery, offering homemade pies and sweet potato dinner rolls. Pick up a dozen freshly baked rolls for $15 and accompany her homemade cinnamon butter, or even better take the pressure off of yourself baking pies and let this exceptional pastry chef do it for you. With pies ranging from $45-$60 dollars, you cannot beat a smoking deal on her pumpkin swirl cheesecakes or fresh apple pies. C&C also offers a variety of other deserts including cinnamon rolls, house made chocolates, and so much more.
JDMMK RANCH
Location: Magma Rd. Florence, AZ
Contact: 815-762-5475
At JDMMK Ranch, James and Diane Kolchel are proud of the family and entirely veteran run 5 acre ranch. They sell quality shares of pork, beef, chicken, and sometimes goat and sheep as well. For the last 6 years, their mission is to serve locals with meat that is free range and free of hormones at an affordable price.
MOVING WITH Purpose
SHANNON AND DAVID GILLETTE WANT TO GIVE ALL KIDS A CHANCE, AND SO CAN YOU.
ARTICLE BY FLORENCE DANIELS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY BLAKE
The idea to help those in need began with an idle day where David Gillette felt he needed to put himself to better use. So, with that in mind, he raised funds, bought some pizzas and then handed them out to the homeless in downtown Phoenix. Helping the homeless was the start of Purpose Movement, a non-profit led by David and Shannon Gillette. The two are also owners of the Gillette Group, one of the largest real estate firms in Arizona. In addition, Shannon hosts the show American Dream on HGTV.
The desire to give back and focus their efforts locally is something that both David and Shannon are clearly passionate about. David says that when tackling the problem of homelessness he wondered about the root cause and discovered that 25-33% of those sleeping on the street come from the foster care system. As a result, they both felt that if kids in the system saw that people actually cared, and that they were loved and supported, perhaps it might help to break the pipeline from foster care to homelessness.
Officially begun in 2018, Purpose Movement has grown in their reach and their events. Recently in July they hosted their annual ‘Back to School to Remember’ in which they took hundreds of foster kids and kids from group homes shopping for school supplies. The most requested item is a pair of new shoes, since many of them come with shoes that are too small or too worn. Each child got a volunteer to walk with them around the store to make sure they got what they needed and in the right size. Shannon says that often these kids are beyond excited about the simple things, like new shoes, that we take for granted or routine.
The Gillettes and through their non profit, Purpose Movement, also host a Prom Night for teen girls in the foster care system. They give the girls a chance to buy a dress, get their hair and make up done, and then they host them for a dance party with music and food. In a bid to give them not only the chance to dress up, but to make normal teen
memories filled with laughter and fun. “One of my favorite things we do is we don’t just come in their lives and leave, we have been consistent throughout the year.’ he says. Shannon adds, ‘We see the same kids and get to know them as they grow.’
The ‘Back to School to Remember’ is actually an offshoot of their original event called ‘A Christmas to Remember’. This year they hope to treat 300 foster kids to $100 each at Walmart to do their Christmas shopping. Through the help of corporate sponsors and volunteers they assign one adult to each child to help them create a Christmas to truly remember. Shannon says they can go all the way up to 600 foster kids but need the volunteers in order to do so. The event will be held on Sunday, December 14th from 8am-12pm, and volunteers can bring the whole family. The Gillettes, who have been Queen Creek residents since 2006, love their town and acknowledge that it is a very kind and giving community filled with great families. However, few even know that there are group homes and foster kids right here in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley.
The couple, who have three boys, say that few people even realize that some of the kids at their school could be from the foster care system. Even their sons have run into classmates at the events they throw and didn’t even know their background. Shannon and David both come from disadvantaged, single mother households and they know what these acts of kindness can mean to these kids. Some, when given the chance to spend $100, ask for things like milk and blankets, or even to buy something for their siblings instead. For the Gillette’s raising awareness of this issue right here in Queen Creek is just as important. Driven by their faith, they even give a portion of their proceeds to their non profit.
In addition to providing opportunities for school and holiday shopping they also host Cookies with Santa and Easter Egg hunts on site for the foster kids as well. One thing is clear, the more smiles they can put on children’s faces, the more committed they are to the cause.
To learn more and volunteer yourself, you can register at www.purpose-movement.com
GRATITUDE FOR THE TOWN WE LIVE IN.
ARTICLE BY BEN CLOUD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY BLAKE
THANKSGIV
“Queen Creek’s greatness stems from a love of family...”
In Queen Creek, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our family and our faith, our country and the privilege of living in a town blessed with both prosperity, peace, and pleasant surroundings. Many of us, who arrived in the last 35 years (now the majority), have reaped the rewards of the pioneer families who settled here over a century ago and the lands that the Native Americans enjoyed centuries earlier. The Hohokam, based on archaeological evidence, were likely the first to thrive along Picket Post Creek (later, the Queen Creek Wash), south of the San Tan Mountains. With the installation of the Desert Wells Stage Stop and the Rittenhouse Railroad spur, the foundations for farming and homesteading drew families beyond the Germanns, Sossamans, Clouds, Hawes, Rittenhouses, and Ellsworths. Each family brought unique skills, something special, building upon the collaborative spirit that has defined Queen Creek since the beginning.
Queen Creek’s origin story is one of families uniting to farm fertile soil, dig life-giving wells, and seek prosperity in the serene Southwest. That same entrepreneurial spirit, which grew the town from 2,500 residents in 1990 to nearly 87,006 in 2025, continues to attract newcomers today.
We are grateful for those who pursued peace and prosperity through hard work and calloused hands, those who could appreciate the fertile soil, an abundance of sun, and the plentiful underground water disguised in desert clothing. Queen Creek’s greatness stems from a love of family, place and strong work ethics. As newer residents we stand with the descendants of the early pioneers, honoring this town’s legacy by seeking its prosperity— sometimes literally putting our hands to the soil for the benefit of all.
Queen Creek’s story began with a Godgiven wash/creek, dug wells, railroad
Ben Cloud
“We are grateful for those who pursued peace and prosperity through hard work and calloused hands...”
tracks, and homesteads. Like the Israelites entering their promised land, we are grateful for our inherited blessings. It is good and right that we would give thanks. We are blessed to live in a town with these aforementioned underground wells most of us did not dig, enjoying the fruits of vineyards and olive groves (pecan groves even) most of us did not plant, thanks to those who plowed and prepared the land. As the town grew these early homesteading families also fought for incorporation to preserve the town that we all now cherish. Through good stewardship, they showed us that not just tending the land but being able to come together in humility and unity to protect what we all now enjoy as the QC lifestyle.
To truly taste and see Queen Creek’s goodness and prosperity you must savor peaches and pies from Schnepf Farms’ 300-acre worth of orchards and garden rows or enjoy their Fourth of July celebrations. You must absolutely visit Rhiba Farms, where Mark Rhine works miracles on 3.3 acres, and gives tours about regenerative and sustainable agriculture. To truly experience the QC take a tour at the Queen Creek Olive Mill, and then drive down and sip farmhouse coffee at Third Place Cup in the Vineyard Farmhouse. Third Place Coffeehouse is the oldest indy coffee shop in Queen Creek where they invite you to take your coffee mug out back and pick apricots or pluck grape bunches from the vineyard on their peaceful five-acre
agritainment and agri-education hobby farm in the Ellsworth Mini-Farms.
You are invited to walk the garden labyrinth in the back and be still and listen to the birds channeling your inner Mansel Carter. Our town is rich with history and characters like Mansel Carter, the “old man of the mountain,” who mined, crafted cactus art, and befriended birds in the San Tan Mountains. His slower-paced life, alongside his Native American buddy and bird friends embodies Queen Creek’s appreciation of the local nature and beauty as well as the farm and family-friendly culture. These stories fuel our gratitude and appreciation of our particular slice of heaven here on earth.
We also now celebrate the modern amenities like Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre (our rodeo grounds, opened in 2009), Mansel Carter Oasis Park, and the new Frontier Family Park, honoring the Barney family’s legacy. Each park and road carries names tied to early farming families who built the foundation we now enjoy. New names, like Jordan Blevins and chef Chip Kennedy of Sage & Barrel, join them, incorporating Schnepf Farms’ peaches into seasonal dishes.
Each month, we share stories celebrating what makes Queen Creek great, fostering gratitude for our unique corner of the world. This Thanksgiving, may we steward this town with love for our neighbors, embracing the wellbeing and generosity that defines our community.
TheseBoots
ARTICLE BY BREANNA VEGA
A pair of good boots can you serve you well in life.
As a 5th generation Arizona native, when I think of cowboy boots, I think of my grandfather. Marvin Williams, Senior: longtime teacher, Christian, lifeguard, and at one point, Mr. Tempe Beach. Growing up in such a large family with over a couple dozen cousins, he was the leader of our pack. We’d all frequent his home in downtown Mesa, which felt more like all of our homes, and I remember he’d pull out his “fancy boots” for church. They were all leather, black, with thick, bright thread and intricate engraving. I watched him wear these, until he couldn’t wear
them anymore. These boots took him to weddings, blessings, graduations, and holiday gatherings. What were once his prized, ‘Sunday’s best’ boots - were eventually worn, and scuffled.
I’m thankful for the long wear these cowboy boots provided for my grandfather. (We called him Papa). The smell of his old, rustic cologne paired with his famous Hawaiian tee shirts, Levis, and cowboy boots are a bright image in all our memories. I would argue that sometimes the things we are most grateful for aren’t things at all, but rather memories. Sometimes, triggered by smell, other times, a song, and for some, a pair of boots.
Cowboy boots are a lot like a time capsule, the years pass, but life in them grows. The journey of my grandfather’s boots started at Saba’s Western Wear in Chandler. Saba’s opened in the Great Depression and never closed once.
I can picture my grandfather, young, spry, trying on a pair of boots in the store, making sure they’d fit. Now, 30 years later, staring at his
old boots, I’m reminded of just how grateful I am to have such vivid memories of a person who meant so much to me. Sometimes something ordinary like a pair of boots can remind you of just how precious life is, and how grateful you really are for both time and memories. Dress them up, or dress them down, cowboy boots feel more like a legacy, than just your average pair of shoes. I wonder if yours have a good story or two in them as well.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
ARTICLE BY FLORENCE DANIELS
A Schnepf family recipe for your family table.
Right out of the Schnepf family cookbook comes a hearty vegetable soup that is both warming and flavorful. Bring this perfect Fall soup to your Thanksgiving table.
ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 2 medium potatoes, cubed
• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1 - 32 oz. chicken broth
• salt and pepper to taste
directions:
Step 1. Melt butter in a large pot, add onion, celery, carrot, potatoes and squash for 5 minutes.
Step 2. Once vegetables are lightly browned pour in enough broth to cover the vegetables and bring to a boil.
Step 3. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 40 minutes or until all vegetables are tender.
Step 4. Transfer the soup to a blender and blend until smooth.
Step 5. Return to pot and mix in any remaining broth to attain desired consistency.
Step 6. Season with salt and pepper.
APPLE
ARTICLE BY BREANNA VEGA
CRISP CRANBERRY
Invite some sweetness to your Thanksgiving table.
Entertain guests with the familiarity of pumpkin and the sharp surprise of cranberry with this twist on a classic favorite.
APPLE CRANBERRY CRISP:
DIRECTIONS:
1. Prepare cranberry, apple, and topping mixtures separately. Combine both apple and cranberry in a large cast iron pan and simmer with 1-2 cups of apple cider for 15-20 minutes until apples are softened.
2. Take apple cranberry off of heat. Remove dried orange slices and set aside. Strain if needed. Transfer to a 9 x 11 pan.
3. Top with combined crumble mixture. Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown at 350 degrees. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
INGREDIENTS:
Cranberry Mix
• 1 cup cranberries
• 1/3 cup apple cider
• 2 star anise
• 4 cloves
• 2 dried orange slices
• 2 tbsp. raw honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla bean
Apple Mix
• 4 cups honeycrisp or granny smith apples diced
• 1 tsp. orange zest
• 1 tbsp. orange juice
• 2 tbsp. raw honey
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp. cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 4 tbsp. ghee
Topping
• ¾ cup flour
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. ginger
• pinch of salt
• 8 tbsp. ghee (cut into flour and oat mixture)
• ½ cups of rolled oats
H O P E
Begins with YOU A SEASON TO
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
NOVEMBER 7TH
Free Day of Dentistry for Veterans
It's Your Time Dental | 8:00 AM
It's Your Time Dental is proud to offer a free day of dentistry to veterans on November 7th from 8am to 4pm. All services are free to veterans in an effort to honor their service and sacrifice. Some of these services may include Xrays, exams, and pre-treatment.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Pancake Breakfast
Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre | 9:00 AM
Residents of Queen Creek are invited to the Town Council's free Pancake Breakfast event, join them from 9 to 11 a.m. They will serve up IHOP pancakes, Starbucks coffee, informational booths, performances, a petting zoo, free flu shots, a performance from the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, and our touch-a-truck display.
NOVEMBER 11TH
9th Annual Veteran's Day Celebration
San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms | 9:00 AM
Together, with the Queen Creek American Legion Post 129, we invite you to join us for our 9th Annual Veteran's Day Celebration where we will honor our Veteran's together. This is a free event open to the public.
NOVEMBER 21ST
Vintage & Vino Fall/Holiday Market
22300 S. Summers Pl, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 | 10:00 AM
The 12th Vintage & Vino Fall/Holiday Market presented by Sip & Shop will be held: November 21 10AM-4PM, November 22 10AM-4PM, November 23 10AM-4PM. Enjoy local shopping, Santa photos, live music, photo booth and photo backdrops, kids activities, and more. $5 entry, kids under 12 are free.
NOVEMBER 21ST
Christmas at Schnepf Farms
Schnepf Farms | 12:00 PM
There's so much to do at the farm! Bring the whole family for ice skating, a Christmas carousel, snow-globe mini golf, sweets and treats, hayrides to reindeer, a giant obstacle course, and the Illumination Express train ride (to name just a few). There's no better place for outdoor holiday activities than Christmas at Schnepf Farms.
NOVEMBER 29TH
Ruck 4 Freedom
Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre | 7:30 AM
Ruck 4 Freedom is an honorary Ruck where the community comes together with our Active Duty Military, Veterans and First Responders to do something uncomfortable to show our Armed Forces the gratitude we have for our freedom. Based on a military tradition, participants have the option to wear a weighted backpack and participate in a 5K, or 10K Ruck Walk.
