Help make Mesa a better community by making a donation today! Click the "Donate Now" button below OR if you are a current Mesa Utility customer, you can sign-up to have a donation included on your Mesa utility bill.

Donations are currently supporting three agencies:

• Dress for Success – Teen Workforce Initiative Career Services
• Paz de Cristo – Providing meals, food and closing to Mesa community members who are struggling with hunger, poverty, and homelessness
• United Food Bank – Providing emergency and supplemental food boxes and assistance.

Small Business Saturday might be over but keep shopping and dining at Mesa small businesses this holiday. It’s convenient AND it’s also good for our economy and environment.

Local mom and pop shops and restaurants create jobs for our family and friends. They also provide uniquely Mesa experiences that don’t require you to drive far or wait for items to ship. That makes for a lower carbon footprint.

If you don’t know where to start, visit Downtown Mesa or The Store at Mesa Arts Center or even check out websites such as Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Visit Mesa or Local First Arizona to find some cool Mesa businesses.

Want to shop local, but prefer experiences over items? Give the gift of endless discovery from our downtown venues!

• Arizona Museum of Natural History membership
• idea Museum membership
• Mesa Arts Center class registrations or tickets to shows
• Mesa Amphitheatre show tickets

Make your holidays greener this year by considering the planet when choosing what to give. Give the gift of time – offer to babysit, hire a service to perform chores or spend quality time with a friend.

Or make memories together by attending a concert, purchasing a membership to a museum (Mesa has several to choose from) or a botanical garden, hosting a game night, having a fun bowling night or a pottery or cooking class. The options are endless!

Also, choose recyclable wrapping such as decorated paper grocery bags or the Sunday comics. Or wrap in reusable shopping bags or containers that can be repurposed. Get more ideas for a planet-friendly holiday. 

Did you know that reading just 15 minutes a day can reduce stress and improve your sleep? Whether you're reading for fun or personal growth, every minute makes a difference.

Join Mesa Reads in 2025 and track your reading time with the free Beanstack app. As part of this year-long celebration of reading, you can enter monthly raffles for a chance to win exciting prizes. Learn more at mesalibrary.org/mesareads.

'Tis the season to spread holiday cheer and keep your loved ones safe! As we gather and celebrate, let's not forget the importance of natural gas safety.

Here are some quick reminders to keep your family safe and happy all month long!

• Since most natural gas pipelines are underground, look for yellow pipeline markers that identify their presence.
• Identify gas appliances in and outside your home and know how to use them safely.
• Always call 811 before digging or planting.
• Learn how to detect and report a gas leak.
• Protect your gas meter from being damaged by vehicles.
• Learn how to detect and prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Hey, Mesa Electric customers, we’ve got some tree-mendously exciting news just for you!

Would you like to get up to two free trees that shade your home, lower cooling costs, and clean the air? Yes, it’s true! We have beautiful, desert-native or desert-adapted trees waiting for you.

Register and attend a free workshop on January 18 hosted by our partner Trees Matter, a nonprofit that knows all about trees. They'll teach you how to select the perfect spot for your trees and plant them correctly.

See if you qualify and preview the tree choices by visiting our Mesa Electric Shade Tree Program event page. The workshop registration deadline is January 9.

Please share this information with your neighbors!

Keep your Christmas tree out of the landfill this holiday season with Mesa’s Christmas Tree Recycling program! Once decorations, lights, tree stands and other accessories are removed, live trees can be taken to one of our drop-off locations.

Note that wreathes, snow-flocked trees and artificial trees are not recyclable and should not be brought to these sites. 

Drop-off locations are open 24 hrs. from
Dec. 26 - Jan. 20:

• Dobson Ranch: 2363 S. Dobson Rd. 

• Fitch Park: 261 E. 8^th St. 

• East Mesa Service Center: 6935 E. Decatur St. 

• Mountain View Park: 845 N. Lindsay Rd. 

• Superstition Police & Fire Station: 2430 E. Ellsworth Rd.

For more details or for additional recycling options, please call 480-644-2221 or visit MesaRecycles.org. 

Get the financial support you need-apply for FAFSA today! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 academic year is now available.

Adults returning to school, high school seniors preparing for graduation and current college students should complete the FAFSA to access financial aid opportunities.

Since many types of aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s crucial to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances of receiving federal, state and institutional assistance. For more information or to find free resources, visit mesaaz.gov/Education-Workforce/FAFSA-Resources.

We are the Champions … of Sustainability! Salt River Project (SRP) recognized Mesa as one of 12 businesses driving sustainable change in Arizona. Mesa was applauded for our proactive approach to reducing our carbon footprint and enhancing the quality of life for our residents. Mesa was the only municipality on the list.

In 2024, Mesa received over $265,000 in rebates from SRP for energy efficiency projects including lighting at Red Mountain ballfields, the nation’s first all-electric fire truck and a DC fast charger for the fire truck.

We are proud to be recognized as a Champion of Sustainability for the strides we are making to build a more sustainable community, and we will continue to work towards meeting our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.