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Holiday Hope and Reflections

December 3, 2020
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by Billie Orr, Councilwoman, City of Prescott, and Lori Kennedy, ERAU Communications Coordinator
For many people, December and January are their favorite months. The holiday season and the new year offer an opportunity for giving, receiving, reflection and resolve. Most importantly, it is a season of hope. Hope for health and happiness. Hope for financial security. Hope for a sense of purpose, community and fulfillment. 
Prescott is a very fortunate community with many resources and organizations that can assist those who are searching to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. 
One such organization is the City of Prescott’s Commission on Well-Being whose purpose is to assist Prescottonians improve their quality of life through five pillars of Well-being — Purpose, Community, Social, Financial and Physical. 
In honor of the holiday season and the coming new year, the commissioners were asked to reflect on how to make this holiday season special. Here are some of the responses:
What do you do during December and January to offset any “over indulging” you might have given in to during the holidays?
This year most of us won’t have the multitude of holiday parties that we’ve had in the past if we are social distancing. Even so, there may be excess consumption. I consider exercise as essential to our well-being. I ask my clients if they would consider not brushing their teeth on a daily basis and of course, the answer is an emphatic “No.” The same goes with exercise. To jump start the new year, I do a New Year’s Day hike before dawn, stopping often to observe the beauty of the sunrise, the fresh air, the forest, the rocks and the vistas looking forward; it isn’t where we have been that matters, but where we are at that precise moment and where we are heading. — Bonnie McMinn
To avoid all the extra calories at the holidays, I eat a small breakfast and an earlier dinner, giving me time to digest all of the rich food. One silver lining this year may be fewer parties and social commitments. We will just have to make up for it next year.
— Rita Kavanaugh
The holidays are always an easy time to gain weight and over eat. I consciously try to walk a little more and hike to offset the culinary treats of the season. The best advice I can offer about how to minimize weight gain during the holidays is a simple one. Portion control. Enjoy tasty food and desserts, but plan to eat half a portion. That’s the best of both worlds. Happy Holidays.
— John Murphy
My husband and I have three dogs and during the holidays they need to go for a walk. About 4 miles every single day! They keep us in good shape during the holidays if we do eat a few more sweets than normal.
— Cecelia Jernegan
Do you have ideas to share for exercising financial responsibility during the holiday season when one may be tempted to overspend?
I set a budget limit per person and ask for a wish list within that price range. It gives me some options, and they still have a surprise under the tree. — Rita Kavanaugh
We save money all year long to set aside for Christmas. That way we do not go over our budget for gifts/decorations or drive up our credit card balance. After 48 years of marriage, we seem to have a system that works for our family. We buy ‘deals’ throughout the year and put them away for Christmas. Often, we forget about what we stashed away and it’s a double surprise on Christmas Day! — Billie Orr
In our family, we have eliminated gifts to each other. Instead we donate to a charity.
It is much more rewarding to give to people in need. — Peg Travers
Community. What thoughts or suggestions do you have for those who might be feeling a little lonely or down at this time of year?
I am finding that people are having trouble coping with the many challenges we are all facing this year and am optimistic for a hopefully more “normal” 2021. Many of us are hurting. I call or text people, send a funny photo or story, or ask for their thoughts on a subject of mutual interest about which we can have a conversation. My purpose is not to solve the problems, but rather have them feel that we are all connected and that they are valued human beings. — Bonnie McMinn
Holiday time in Arizona’s Christmas City is filled with opportunities to give back to our communities. There are over 2,200 nonprofits in Yavapai County needing support and volunteers. My focus this season and the new year will be researching ways to create greater “Unity in our Community.” — Billie Orr
The best thing to do during the holidays is volunteer to help others less fortunate. There are so many nonprofits in the Prescott area. Volunteering to help others keeps the holiday blues away. — Cecelia Jernegan
Social. How are you adjusting your holiday plans to manage your social activities during the holiday season to stay safe and keep your loved ones safe? 
We have a tradition of having an open home to all Christmas Eve. We spend two days cooking Italian food and have a pot of spaghetti, chicken cutlets and much more. If we find someone who doesn’t have family in our neighborhood, they are invited. This year we will make take out and deliver to anyone who would like a meal. — Peg Travers
My parents won’t be able to visit this Christmas, so we are doing a virtual celebration on Christmas Eve where our girls will open the gifts they sent so grandma and grandpa can share in that fun. We are all going to have egg nog and toast the holidays. — Lori Kennedy
If you are looking for a purpose this holiday season, here are some suggested resources to donate time and/or items to those in need.

  • Yavapai Food Neighbors, www.yavapaifoodneighbors.com
  • Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, www.azbigs.org
  • Meals on Wheels, www.prescottmealsonwheels.com
  • People Who Care, www.peoplewhocareaz.com
  • Hope Hall, www.hopehall.org
  • Boys & Girls Club of Central Arizona, www.bgccaz.org

On behalf of the Commission on Well-Being, we wish all of those fortunate enough to call Prescott home a healthful and happy holiday and new year season!
Photo: Front row from left: Katherine Augustine, Susan Johnson;
Second row from left: Ken Caplin, Dean Charlton, Ted Gambogi, Noel DeSousa, Billie Orr, Devon Richardson, Henry Hash;
Third row from left: Ennis Ogorsolka, Chuck Abbott, Mike Payson;
Fourth row from left: Wendi Lancy, Ken Lain.

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LOCAL NEWS: The Northern Arizona VA in Prescott has provided an update on their Homeless Veteran Program. . . .PRESCOTT, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System’s Homeless Veteran Program, along with its community partners, housed 445 Veterans in 2022, exceeding their target goal by 157%.Nationally, the 2022 goal was to house 38,000 homeless Veterans— a goal that was exceeded by 6.3%. The Department of Veterans Affairs remains committed to ending Veteran homelessness and increasing housing placements is critical to achieving this goal.“This success is a result of efforts built on the evidence-based ‘Housing First’ approach, which prioritizes getting a Veteran into housing, then provides the Veteran with the support they need to stay housed,” said Steve Sample, Medical Center Director.In Northern Arizona, there are a variety of services designed to house homeless Veterans. The VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program includes VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers that provide formerly homeless Veterans with subsidized housing and a wraparound, interdisciplinary case management team to address issues that may have contributed to homelessness. The program provides justice outreach services, employment services, health care services through the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team, outreach, and transitional housing support. The VA also works closely with community partners to house homeless Veterans through a system called Coordinated Entry, where community agencies along with the VA regularly meet to coordinate efforts and ensure homeless Veterans do not fall through the cracks.“We are fortunate that there is so much support for helping homeless Veterans in our area,” said Jessica Taylor, Homeless Program Coordinator for the Northern Arizona VA. “This success could not have been possible without great collaboration between our community partners, Housing Authorities, Tribal partnerships, and support from our local communities.”Looking ahead, the VA will continue to explore new avenues to house homeless Veterans and overcome housing barriers. In collaboration with U.S VETS, Gorman & Company, and the Arizona Department of Housing, a supportive housing project on the grounds of the VA’s Fort Whipple campus is in the initial planning stages. The VA is also expanding outreach to ensure that homeless Veterans are aware of services available to them. For Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness— or if you know of homeless Veterans in need of assistance, call 877-424-3838.For more information on renting to or hiring homeless Veterans, visit: www.va.gov/homelessAbout the Northern Arizona VA: Through its main campus in Prescott, along with Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, and Anthem— with additional clinics in Tuba City, Page, Kayenta, Chinle, Holbrook, and Polacca, the Northern Arizona VA provides services to approximately 33,000 Veterans over a catchment area of more than 65,000 square miles.. . .www.facebook.com/VAPrescott ... See MoreSee Less

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Empty Bowls of Prescott Arizona has announced that it will distribute $24,000 to local foodbanks! Their 2022 Empty Bowls fundraising event took place in September, and donations can be made year round on their website.prescott-empty-bowls.square.site ... See MoreSee Less

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