Tempe nonprofit decorates houses with Christmas lights for seniors
Judith Enz stands in front of her home while volunteers put up lights.
Independent Newsmedia/Madeline Bates
House with lights at night.
TCAA
Judith Enz has lived in Tempe for over 20 years and never had Christmas lights to highlight the porch of her singlewide in south Tempe. This year, Tempe Community Action Agency stepped in to help.
Around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, volunteers Casey Thomas, Robert Moore and Sheila Detweiler set up lights to give her a festive spark to an already decorated patio.
“It’s a great way to bring light and joy to a senior who isn’t able to climb up on a ladder and put lights on a house,” said Carrie Aranda, director of Mission Advancement at TCAA.
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Judith Enz has lived in Tempe for over 20 years and never had Christmas lights to highlight the porch of her singlewide in south Tempe. This year, Tempe Community Action Agency stepped in to help.
Around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, volunteers Casey Thomas, Robert Moore and Sheila Detweiler set up lights to give her a festive spark to an already decorated patio.
“It’s a great way to bring light and joy to a senior who isn’t able to climb up on a ladder and put lights on a house,” said Carrie Aranda, director of Mission Advancement at TCAA.
Enz doesn’t have family in the area and finds that the volunteers of TCAA are especially helpful for repairs, conversation and household assistance.
For volunteers, the day marks a special one where they can give back and spread holiday cheer.
“Our grandparents are our past and being able to help someone's grandparents be able to celebrate for the season is really heartwarming, and it’s the spirit of the season,” said Casey Thomas, a TCAA volunteer who was wearing a holiday sweater and festive headwear.
Thomas and the other volunteers were able to put up lights in a few minutes before moving on to the next house.
She and other volunteers said that they enjoy helping with lights every year because they can still give back and connect with the recipients even with a full-time job and other weekly obligations.
Enz is one of 50 other seniors who had her homes decorated by TCAA volunteers for the holidays.
“I look forward to sitting outside and enjoying it,” Enz said about her new lights.
Volunteers will come back to her house in January to remove the lights but bring their same smiles and conversation.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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