The White Mountains’ Own Christmas Miracle
Mrs. Claus (Marsha Grombly) and husband, Santa, stand with Jineane Ford-King, left, and members of the Vernon Fire Department at the 2023 Festival of the Trees.
Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. Growing up, it was about big Italian meals and the whole family crammed together, talking over each other and filling the house with laughter. As a child, sure, I loved the gifts and the sparkle of the season, but as I’ve grown older, Christmas has come to mean something deeper. It’s now about how I can give back, help others, and bring a little light into someone’s life. That’s why when I see the incredible work done by White Mountain Helping Hands, I can’t help but share their story with our community.
In the heart of Arizona’s White Mountains, the spirit of Christmas shines brightest not through decorations or lights but in the giving hearts of those who call this rugged landscape home. For Marsha Grombly, founder of White Mountain Helping Hands, the holiday season is more than just a time for celebration; it’s a season to bring her neighbors together, lifting spirits and creating miracles for those who need them most.
It all began one winter night, two years ago, when the Vernon Fire Department called Marsha and her husband, Rick, with an urgent plea for help. A woman had fallen on a snow-covered, steep road that the fire department couldn’t reach. Without hesitation, Rick arrived with their UTV, equipped with snow tracks, to help the firemen navigate the treacherous path and bring the woman to safety. “We couldn’t believe it,” Marsha remembers, recalling how one snowy rescue changed everything. “We asked ourselves, why couldn’t our local heroes afford the equipment they needed?” That night, the seed for White Mountain Helping Hands was planted.
That simple act of kindness grew into a yearly Christmas tradition—a gift from the heart of the community to everyone who needs it. The White Mountain Festival of the Trees was born, and its first event raised over $20,000, enough to buy a new UTV, snow tracks, and a snowplow for the fire department. Since then, White Mountain Helping Hands has expanded, supporting local food pantries, helping veterans find housing, and stepping in wherever the community needs it most.
This year, the Festival of the Trees returns on November 23rd, and it promises an evening filled with joy, wonder, and the unmistakable warmth of Christmas spirit. Imagine a room sparkling with twinkling lights, each corner adorned with holiday cheer. Guests will savor a delicious prime rib dinner, listen to festive music, and bid on beautifully decorated Christmas trees with gifts nestled beneath them. A fashion show by local boutique Sweet Home AZ adds an extra dash of holiday charm, while a silent auction and door prizes give everyone the chance to leave with something special.
For Marsha, though, it’s the magic of bringing the community together that makes the Festival of the Trees unforgettable. “We’re a community that takes care of each other,” she says, her eyes lighting up with gratitude. “The Festival isn’t just about raising money; it’s about coming together, sharing laughter, and giving back.” And it’s clear her words ring true. In a place as remote as the White Mountains, the holidays can be a lonely season for some. Through White Mountain Helping Hands, Marsha ensures that no one feels forgotten.
Each year, the Festival of the Trees brings stories of hope and kindness. Marsha recalls one young woman, struggling through a difficult time, who found herself at the Festival. She shared her troubles with a couple seated nearby, and when they won a Christmas tree in the raffle, they surprised her by giving it to her, leaving her in tears of joy. Another memory is of a homeless veteran who, with the help of White Mountain Helping Hands, was able to find a warm home and rebuild his life. These acts of generosity are the true gifts of the season, little miracles that remind us of what Christmas is all about.
This year, the Festival’s proceeds will support the AZ Rangers and the Sportsmen for Heroes Foundation, two organizations that provide invaluable aid to veterans and first responders in the White Mountains. Marsha knows that every dollar raised makes a difference, helping the people who give so much to their community and need a bit of holiday magic themselves.
As the November 23rd Festival draws near, Marsha and Rick’s hearts are full, not with the stress of planning or the hustle of the season, but with the joy of knowing that they, along with so many neighbors, are making Christmas brighter for others. For those in the White Mountains, attending the Festival of the Trees is more than an event—it’s a chance to become part of a tradition that embodies the spirit of giving, a reminder that even in the snow-covered hills and quiet forests, the light of community and kindness glows brightly.
This holiday season, White Mountain Helping Hands invites everyone to join them for a night of laughter, generosity, and connection. For information on the Festival of the Trees, please visit www.wmhh.org or call 928-200-8919. Come for the trees, the food, and the company, and leave with the warmth of knowing you’re part of something special—something as timeless as Christmas itself.
As I think about the Festival of the Trees and the generosity it inspires, I’m reminded of Christmas mornings waiting eagerly for my grandmother to arrive with a box of donuts before we could dig into our stockings. It was never about the gifts so much as the joy of being together, sharing in simple traditions that made the season feel complete. That’s what White Mountain Helping Hands does for this community—they bring us together, reminding us that Christmas is truly about connection, kindness, and making sure no one is left out in the cold.
