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(Overhead view of Santa’s Toyland)

The Santa Claus area is surrounded by a very special gingerbread man fence.

The 192’ long fence consists of twenty-four 8’ sections.

On each 8’ section there are four gingerbread men holding hearts.

The children will find that each section contains a positive affirmation for them.

(Original Design)

(Original Pattern)

The fence was cut and assembled in 2004 by the staff of Alpha Group Administrators

The base colors were painted by the students in the paint shop at Phoenix Job Corps.

The fence was decorated by an army of volunteer artists from The Tole Shop in Glendale.

PNA was born in the fall of 1987, when a small group of individuals gathered in a restaurant one evening to visit over some dessert. Their discussion soon focused on the needs of the homeless and underprivileged living in Arizona. The consensus was that the only way to effectively address these issues was for the entire community to become involved as a collaborative effort. Subsequent meetings were held and plans developed to hold a Christmas party for the homeless. In December, with the help of a local Lions Club and a small social service agency, the celebration was held in the recreation room of a local retirement community. Fifty children and their families attended.

Based on the success of that first Christmas party, the group decided to expand their efforts in 1988. The event was renamed “The Homeless Christmas Tree Celebration” and moved to Wesley Bolin Plaza, a memorial park located across the street from the Arizona state capitol building. A 20-foot tall evergreen was donated and planted on the site by Whitfill Nurseries. At its base, a granite marker was placed proclaiming it as the “Homeless Christmas Tree.” Ornaments were made by a local high school. Seventy-five children participated in decorating the tree and receiving a toy from Santa. Arizona Public Service (APS), Arizona’s largest electricity utility, supplied a bucket truck to lift the children to the top of the tree to decorate the uppermost branches and position the star.

Three years later, the continued success and expansion of the Homeless Christmas Tree Celebration required a formal management structure. As a result, on February 11, 1992, Positive Network Alliance, Inc. was registered as an Arizona nonprofit corporation.

By 2006, the numbers served at the event had grown so large that it required multiple dates to handle everyone. A total of 1,300 impoverished children attended. In addition, a representative from the Veteran’s Administration met with PNA and requested that an additional event be held for the children, spouses, and families of our deployed military. PNA responded by adopting the Arizona Army National Guard and creating “Operation Arizona Gratitude,” which was attended by 500.

In 2007, on its 15th anniversary of becoming established as a nonprofit corporation, PNA filed for and received its 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, both events were restructured and renamed to better reflect the populations currently being served.

The “Christmas Tree Project” will now provide for impoverished children instead of focusing on just the homeless as had previously been the case. Fourteen full-day events are planned for fourteen different schools, serving an estimated 7,500 children.

Operation Arizona Gratitude became the “National Gratitude Project” when its mission was expanded to includeevents and services nationwide. The target group was also expanded from just the Army National Guard to also include the Air National Guard, Marine Corps Reserves, Army Reserves, Air Force Reserves, Naval Reserves, and Coast Guard Reserves.

Today, individuals, families, businesses, schools, churches, and service organizations across the state actively support the PNA projects. The Lions Clubs have been joined by Kiwanis and Rotary with their official sponsorship and endorsement of PNA’s efforts. In this, its twenty-fourth  year, Positive Network Alliance, Inc. has truly “come of age,” becoming a model for successful grassroots outreach programs based on complete community collaboration.

DAVID LAMBERT

David Lambert was been involved in administrative, personnel, and financial management for over five decades.  A twenty-year veteran of the U. S. Air Force, Mr. Lambert supervised the world’s largest fuel depot.  Later, elevated to Headquarters Command, he supervised 13 bases and 900 personnel.  Mr. Lambert earned degrees in Personnel and Finance from Arizona State University.  He served as Administrative Officer with the Arizona Department of Tourism and as Controller for the Governor’s Office, maintaining fiscal control over 100 grants-in-aid projects.  He also served as the Senior Vice-President for the Foundation for Senior Living.  Mr. Lambert founded his own accounting company, where he prepared all financial reports and assorted tax documents for 22 profit and non-profit corporations.  Additionally, he prepared approximately 350 personal income tax returns for his clients.

Dave was extremely active in community and political affairs, serving as both Precinct Committeeman and Deputy Registrar.  He was a Life Member of Lions International, where he served as District Governor and Multiple District Council Chairman.  Dave received multiple Melvin Jones Fellowships, the highest recognition given by the Lions Clubs International Foundation, honoring his lifetime of humanitarian service.  He was an active member of the Phoenix Metro Lions Club.  He was also active in the Phoenix City Club, Arizona State Business Alumni Association, Nursing Home Administrators Association, and Lions Foundation of Arizona.

Dave was a founding Board Member of Positive Network Alliance, Inc. and was committed to bringing hope to impoverished children.  He had a lifelong passion about providing Christmas toys to the poor.  PNA’s “Captain Dave’s Treasure Hunt” activity was named to honor Dave.

NICK RODRIGUEZ

Nick Rodriguez was born in California, but spent his childhood and adult life in Arizona.  Nick’s first love of course was his family.  He also loved children and they, in turn, loved him.  His second love was the railroad.  He retired after 43 years and could name every whistle stop there ever was from Gallop, New Mexico to Needles, California and could tell you where every rail and every spike was placed or needed to be replaced.  It was like he was talking about his children; the love he showed.  A former railroad supervisor, Mr. Bootman said that “Nick was a railroader extraordinaire.”

Nick was an active member of the Phoenix Metro Lions Club.   If there was a project or program that needed help, he was ready to take part.  Although he received frequent recognition from the club for his participation, his proudest moment was when he was given and became a Melvin Jones Fellow.  He loved being a lion and told everyone he met about Lions.  Nick would introduce himself to people by saying, “We are Lions, you know.”

For fifteen years, Nick was one of the most active volunteers at the PNA Christmas events.  If there was a job that needed to be done, Nick was there, ready and able.  From cleaning and stocking to cooking and inspecting the rides, Nick was always eager and happy to help, making him one of our most valuable assets. But without a doubt, his greatest gift to all of us was his beautiful smile and infectious laugh.  Nick was one in a million and will be sincerely missed.