Every summer, while most people are thinking about pool days and vacations, the Arizona multifamily industry is already preparing for the holidays. Through the Arizona Multihousing Charitable Foundation (AMCF), property management companies and vendor partners come together for an annual Christmas in July donation drive that supports more than 300 children at the UMOM New Day Center in Phoenix.

For the past several years, P.B. Bell has proudly participated in this meaningful initiative, helping ensure that children experiencing homelessness wake up to something special during the holiday season.

What Is Christmas in July?

Christmas in July is a community-wide donation drive focused on collecting stocking stuffer items and small holiday gifts for children living at UMOM New Day Center. UMOM’s mission is centered on keeping families together while providing the resources and support they need to regain stability and secure permanent housing.

Throughout July, participating multifamily management companies and industry vendors collect items such as:

• Small toys and games

• School supplies

• Hygiene items

• Age-appropriate stocking stuffers

• Larger toys for additional resident events

Once the drive concludes, AMCF carefully stores all donated items until the fall.

How the Donations Make an Impact

In October, the AMCF committee gathers to sort the donations by age group and prepare them for delivery to the UMOM warehouse. From there, UMOM hosts a special holiday event where parents staying at the center are invited to personally select and assemble stockings for their children.

This thoughtful approach preserves dignity and allows parents to create a joyful holiday experience tailored to their own families.

School supplies and larger donated toys are also used throughout the year at UMOM resident events, extending the impact well beyond the holiday season.

A Tradition of Giving Back

In previous years, the Christmas in July drive has helped fill up to 500 stockings, often with additional items remaining to support other UMOM initiatives. The generosity of Arizona’s multifamily community continues to grow each year.

P.B. Bell has consistently been a leading contributor to this effort, helping keep Christmas in July a staple on the AMCF calendar. While we are proud of our involvement, this is truly a collective effort made possible by the many management companies and vendor partners who step up to give back.

Supporting Arizona Families Through AMCF and UMOM

At its core, this initiative reflects the heart of the multifamily industry in Arizona. While the AMCF committee may not always see the final moment when stockings are opened, the knowledge that these donations help create joy, stability, and hope for families experiencing homelessness is what makes the work so meaningful.

Organizations like UMOM New Day Centers play a critical role in providing emergency shelter, supportive services, and pathways to permanent housing for families across the Valley. Community-driven programs like Christmas in July strengthen that mission and demonstrate the power of partnership.

For additional information about AMCF initiatives or to get involved in future drives, you may contact Jenica Hickey, Event Coordinator with the Arizona Multihousing Association, at [email protected].

To see all our donations in a fun reel, check it out HERE.