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The holidays always bring this wonderful mix of energy and reflection. The lights go up, calendars fill up, and yet, somehow, there’s still that pause. Those quiet moments that remind us what giving really means.
One of my favorite parts of this season is getting out into Meridian to visit holiday markets and local businesses. Every conversation, every handshake, every exchange—it all reminds me how much heart and creativity live in this community.
This issue shares some of that spirit: the Light the World Giving Machines turning small acts into global impact; Game Changers Idaho creating opportunities for kids of all abilities; Micron and The Idaho Foodbank teaming up to fight hunger; and families and makers keeping traditions alive in their own unique ways.
These stories remind us that generosity isn’t just about what we give—it’s how we live.
As you move through the season, I hope you find your own way to give—buying local, volunteering, or simply checking in on someone who could use a little kindness.
From all of us at Meridian Lifestyle, thank you for being part of what makes this community so special.
Happy Holidays,
December 2025
PUBLISHER
Greg Gewalt | greg.gewalt@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Tricia Busalacchi | tricia.busalacchi@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Jordan Gray | editorial@meridiancitylifestyle.com
SALES SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Maria Serondo | support@boisecitylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Russell Detablan | editorial@meridiancitylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jordan Gray, Sabina Dana Plasse, Pamela Kleibrink Thompson, Chelsea Chambers
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Fabian Huffaker, Kearney Thompson, Jean Wolford
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Holiday
Holiday
Driven
Grove Plaza, Boise: Nov 20 through Dec 1
HOLIDAY KIOSKS TURN GENEROSITY INTO ACTION ACROSS THE VALLEY
ARTICLE BY STAFF WRITER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FABIAN HUFFAKER
What if you could turn a vending machine into an act of compassion? This holiday season, Treasure Valley residents will once again have that chance. The Light the World Giving Machines bring public giving to a personal level, letting people purchase items for those in need—from warm clothes to clean water—with the push of a button.
First launched in 2017, the Giving Machines are part of the “Light the World” campaign operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since then they have raised more than $33 million globally for local and international nonprofits.
Each machine is stocked with dozens of gift options (food, clothing, hygiene kits, even livestock in some cases) ranging from about $8 to $200. All donations go directly to the nonprofit selected; the Church covers operating costs so participating charities receive 100% of donations.
This year, the machines will appear in three locations around the Treasure Valley:
• The Grove Plaza, Boise — Nov 20 through Dec 1
• Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell — Dec 2 through Dec 15
• The Village at Meridian — Dec 16 through Dec 31
In 2024, Idaho’s Giving Machines raised more than $1.3 million. With seven local nonprofits this year (up from fewer last year), organizers are hoping for bigger participation and impact.
The Giving Machines are designed to make generosity simple, visible, and transparent. Set in high-traffic plazas and gathering places, they lower barriers to giving by letting anyone— from a child to a retiree—donate with the push of a button. Each display clearly shows what the gift will provide, whether it’s diapers for a local family or clean water for a community abroad, and 100% of the cost goes directly to the chosen charity.
For local nonprofits, the machines provide more than funding. They create visibility during the holiday season, introducing their missions to people who might never have encountered them otherwise. For the community, it’s a chance to join a large-scale, festive movement that turns everyday giving into something immediate and memorable.
Here are the local and international charities chosen for 2025, and a bit about how each contributes in the Treasure Valley.
Boys & Girls Club of Ada & Canyon Counties: Provides after-school and summer programming in health, academics, leadership to support youth in our communities. BGCAdaCanyon.org
Camp Rainbow Gold : Offers connection, joy, and healing for Idaho kids with cancer and their families; building a medical camp to serve broader nonprofit needs statewide. CampRainbowGold.org
CATCH: Works toward ending homelessness via a “housing-first” model and supports individuals and families in need across Treasure Valley. CatchIdaho.org
Faces of Hope: Provides immediate crisis intervention, including for domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, elder abuse, etc., with no cost or strings attached. FacesOfHopeIdaho.org
Foster + Heart: Focuses on supporting children awaiting foster care, with an emphasis on keeping siblings together and easing transitions. FosterAndHeart.org
Hope House: Offers stable homes and education for children from challenging family situations, including failed adoptions; helps restore a sense of belonging. HopeHouseInc.org
Idaho Diaper Bank : Supplies free diapers to families who can’t afford them, helping relieve one of the basic but often overlooked burdens of parenting. IdahoDiaperBank.org
Lifting Hands International: Provides aid such as housing, security, and humanitarian relief globally, often in refugee or crisis-affected areas. LiftingHandsInternational.org
American Red Cross: Offers emergency response, disaster relief, and support for families in crises both locally and internationally. RedCross.org
IN SUN VALLEY, ART FLOURISHES THROUGH LANDSCAPE INSPIRATION, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND WORLD-CLASS GALLERY CONNECTIONS
PROVIDED
Sun Valley’s fine arts scene is rich with longstanding galleries and numerous working artists who call the Wood River Valley their home. The stunning mountain scenery and beauty of Sun Valley inspire many, including not just recreationists and athletes, but also artists and art enthusiasts.
Respected and reputable galleries have been part of Ketchum’s fine arts scene for decades, representing emerging and established artists. Some of the most collectible art from around the world is available in Sun Valley, and unlike a major city, you can enjoy it without crowds or attitude. At the heart of the gallery scene is the Sun Valley Gallery Association, which hosts free Gallery Walks in Ketchum several times a year for locals and visitors to view new artwork, mingle with friends, and chat with exhibiting artists who are often present.
“For a small mountain town, Sun Valley has a fine art scene rivaling many big cities,” says Kneeland Gallery Director Carey Molter. “Nationally recognized artists show their work here alongside local talent, as the town provides a platform for diverse artistic creativity. There is a wealth of natural beauty to
serve as inspiration when artists visit for gallery shows, and the tourist-heavy summer and winter months enhance the visibility of their work.” Molter adds, “The galleries host artist receptions monthly during our busy seasons, which foster community engagement and attract visitors, which in turn boosts the local economy.”
For OCHI, a gallery deeply rooted in Idaho, staying ahead of art trends and recognizing new movements and artists has always been central to the gallery’s mission, which is based in Ketchum and Los Angeles.
“As a second-generation gallerist in Sun Valley, with experience working in major art cities, it’s a unique honor to bring contemporary art to our mountain town,” says Pauli Ochi. “Artists are continually inspired by the beauty and spirit of this place, and collectors in Sun Valley are visionary and deeply engaged.” She adds, “We’re proud to be part of such a vibrant, supportive arts community.”
For those working as artists in the Wood River Valley, and there are many, supporting local artists and the many unique items available—such as handmade baskets, pottery, metalworks,
clothing, bamboo, mixed media, and more—makes Sun Valley’s collectible fine art even more valuable. An annual artist studio tour features artists opening their studios, allowing visitors to connect with them and purchase their work.
Collecting at any level is exciting in Sun Valley because of the connections gallerists have with artists. At Gilman Contemporary, L‘Anne Gilman, a wellknown fine art photography collector, has been part of the Sun Valley fine arts community since the early 90s, which has been incredibly rewarding for her.
“Since opening Gilman Contemporary in 2007, I’ve seen how deeply this community and its visitors value creativity and connection,” says Gilman. “My gallery focuses on contemporary art with an emphasis on photography. At the time, there was no place for collectors to explore the many nuances of the photographic medium, and it has been incredible to support this growth through education and collection. There’s something special about introducing collectors,
“We’re proud to be part of such a vibrant, supportive arts community.”
whether local or visiting, to work that both challenges and inspires.” She adds, “We are uniquely situated as Sun Valley draws visitors from around the world, many of them seasoned collectors who bring a deep appreciation for art. That mix of global perspective and local warmth makes this such a unique and vibrant place to run a gallery.”
For fine art enthusiasts interested in the Sun Valley Gallery Association and dates for Gallery Walks, visit svgalleries.org, and to learn more about working with artists in the Wood River Valley, visit artiststudiotour.com. For OCHI gallery, visit ochigallery.com.
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ARTICLE BY STAFF WRITER
When hundreds of Micron employees gathered at the company’s Boise headquarters this fall, it wasn’t for a product launch or a team meeting—it was to pack hope, one “snack bag” at a time.
More than 400 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to assemble 5,000 nutritious food packs for Idahoans facing hunger. Backed by a $35,000 Micron Foundation grant to The Idaho Foodbank, the effort helped purchase and distribute 15,000 pounds of shelf-stable food through a statewide network of 400 partner pantries.
The event was part of Micron’s annual Star Light campaign—a 47-day global giving initiative marking the company’s 47th anniversary. Around the world, employees devote time and resources to strengthen local communities.
“At Micron, we believe in the power of community and the difference we can make when we come together,” said April Arnzen, executive vice president, chief people officer and president of the Micron Foundation.
Headquartered in Boise, Micron is both a global leader in semiconductor innovation and a cornerstone
Micron’s global spirit of generosity shines close to home, uniting innovation and compassion through volunteerism, food donations, and community partnerships that bring hope to Idaho families
of Idaho’s economy. The company recently announced plans to expand its Boise operations with a second fabrication facility—part of a multibillion-dollar national investment in advanced manufacturing that cements Boise’s role on the global tech map.
Since 2002, Micron and its foundation have contributed more than $1.1 million to The Idaho Foodbank, with employees donating thousands of volunteer hours annually.
“Micron’s ongoing support is an important part of our work to interrupt the cycle of food insecurity,” said Randy Ford, president and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank.
Micron’s example proves that when innovation and compassion work hand-inhand, everyone has a seat at the table.
Learn more about The Idaho Foodbank’s mission at idahofoodbank.org and about Micron’s community efforts at micron.com
• Foothills Christian Church
• Cloverdale HUB 365
• The Salvation Army – Boise
• Mountain View Church of the Brethren
• Community Ministries Center
• Heritage Bible Church Food Pantry
• St. Mary’s Church and Food Bank
• Imam Hussain Islamic Center
• Wright Congregational UCC
• Cathedral of the Rockies
• Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services
• Corpus Christi House
• Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnership
• Boise Rescue Mission – River of Life
• Boise Rescue Mission – City Light
• True Hope First Baptist Church
• Friendship Food Pantry
• St. John’s Cathedral Food Bank
• Immanuel Lutheran Church
• Whitney United Methodist Church
• St. Vincent de Paul – Council
• St. Vincent de Paul – Holy Apostles
• Sulamita Food Pantry
• Meridian Food Bank
• Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Boise
• El-Ada CAP – Garden City
• Give Hope Food Pantry
• Eagle Adventist Community Services Ministries
• City of Eagle – Senior Center
• Star
• Star Food Bank
• Kuna
• Kuna Community Food Bank
Whether through donations, volunteer hours, or spreading awareness, every contribution helps strengthen our community. For a complete list of participating food pantries, visit idahofoodbank.org/get-help/getfood
ARTICLE BY PAMELA KLEIBRINK THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEARNEY THOMPSON, SCENTSY, IBG
It’s the season to delight in lights.
Get your twinkle on at the Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights at 2701 E Pine Ave, which includes a 75-foot tall Christmas tree. Stroll through Scentsy’s signature 250 foot-long tunnel featuring over 68,500 lights. Follow pathways meandering throughout the Meridian campus and admire more than 450 trees blanketed with over 800,000 sparkling lights.
The dazzling light display launched on Friday, November 14 with the ninth annual Christmas Lights Ceremony from 6-8 p.m. The countdown to turn on the lights began at 6:15 pm.
To add to the fun, the following food trucks were on-site from 5:30-8 p.m.:
• The Rusty Dog, Coned Pizza, Double Decker Espresso, Mobile Mini Donuts, Churro Bros,
• Smoke Point BBQ, Off the Grid Pizza, Kanak Attack, LeCrepe, Sushi Shack, Mad Mac,
• Tacos El Rey,Meltz Grilled Cheese, and The Hood.
Rules for visiting the campus include no smoking, alcohol, pets, weapons, or littering. Dress warm as the events take place outside. The building is closed, but porta potties will be available.
Long before the festivities, the Scentsy Facilities team begin crafting this breathtaking display. Chief of Staff Sam Johnson explained, “It takes months of hard work to get everything ready in time. We just want families to have something free to enjoy, walk our pathways, and provide something to brighten their year.”
CONTINUED >
Visit Scentsy’s free holiday light display from November 14, 2025 through January 19, 2026. Open from sunset to sunrise. Since 2017, Scentsy’s holiday lights have been an annual tradition, kicking off the holiday season.
Now in its 29th year, the annual Winter Garden aGlow is a holiday tradition that many residents treasure. Each winter, more than 850,000 handstrung lights illuminate the Idaho Botanical Garden, transforming its 15 acres into a wonderland of color, warmth, and community.
This year’s theme, “Every Light Tells a Story,” invites visitors to reminisce and share their own Winter Garden aGlow memories, celebrating nearly three decades of holiday magic woven through generations of Idaho families.
Explore glowing pathways, cozy up near the fire pits, and enjoy festive drinks from two seasonal bars. Santa will greet guests in the Gathering Place (North Pole) on select nights, while the Greenhouse has been reimagined as a glowing indoor retreat for private rentals and special gatherings.
Winter Garden aGlow is made possible by the dedication of staff and volunteers who handstring every light and serve more than 470 volunteer hours throughout the season. Their work ensures a safe, joyful, and meaningful experience for every visitor while supporting the Garden’s mission year-round.
“Each light in the Garden represents a story of families who’ve made this their tradition, of volunteers who give their time, and of a community that shines together,” said Erin Anderson, Executive Director of the Idaho Botanical Garden.
“Winter Garden aGlow isn’t just about seeing the lights; it’s about remembering, connecting, and creating new stories that keep the spirit of the season alive.”
Winter Garden aGlow runs November 28 through December 31 from 6–9 PM. Veterans can reserve tickets through the VetTix website. Active military personnel receive free admission with a valid military ID and children under 3 are free. Discount Nights take place every Sunday and from December 29–31.
For more information, including dates for Santa appearances, Discount Nights, and when the Yuletide Lodge Bar is open for adult beverages, visit idahobotanicalgarden.org/event/winter-gardenaglow and for events and classes at the Garden, visit idahobotanicalgarden.org
At Solitude Homes, we don’t just build houses—we craft legacies. Based in Eagle, Idaho, our team has spent over a decade delivering award-winning custom homes that blend timeless design with modern comfort.
From breathtaking modern mountain retreats to elegant estates, every Solitude home is a unique reflection of the people who live in it.
As one of the top-rated custom home builders in the Treasure Valley, we specialize in high-end residential construction with a focus on craftsmanship, transparency, and an unmatched client experience. We build in premier communities throughout Eagle, Meridian, and Boise—and on your own land. We’ve been recognized in multiple Parade of Homes showcases and are known for bringing our clients’ vision to life with a hands-on, boutique approach.
Our team of experienced designers, project managers, and craftsmen work in sync to ensure every detail—big or small—is executed with excellence.Whether you’re local to Idaho or relocating from out of state, Solitude Homes is ready to build your forever home—with honesty, heart, and precision.
ARTICLE BY JORDAN GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMARACK RESORT
With a “Hoo Ya!” and a “Wahoo!,” you can “Waltz” your way down the runs of Tamarack Resort.
“A lot of resorts bill themselves as four seasons, but there isn’t a whole lot to do during the spring and summers,” Tamarack Resort Managing Partner Gabriel Navarro said. “With Tamarack, it really is.”
Promoting itself as America’s only ski, golf, and lake resort, Tamarack has undergone a renaissance since Navarro, his brother Marcel Navarro, and brother-in-law Martin Pico took full control in 2021 under their company, MMG Equity Partners.
That’s included things like the private Club at Tamarack, ski-in/ski-out condominiums, seven spots for food and drinks, and a hearty schedule of programming and events.
But while Tamarack is thriving now, its story can’t be told without visiting its checkered past.
Navarro’s initial Tamarack experience included standing outside what Valley County locals had dubbed ‘Tyvek Village.’ Wrapped in the ubiquitous gray padding material, the shells of Tamarack’s Village Plaza remained just as they had before the resort went bankrupt in 2008.
“It was eerie almost when we walked through that Village the first time,” he said. “Although it had been sealed off for 10 years, it looked as if the construction workers had walked off the job just yesterday. Hammers, screwdrivers, the plans on the tables. So, the first visit was an interesting one.”
But that interest was key. The Florida-based MMG had become something of a player in the ski resort space after acquiring a portfolio of commercial properties (Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Mammoth in California, Copper in Colorado, Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia, and Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont). When the Tamarack opportunity came around, MMG partnered with other firms and created Tamarack Resort Holdings to acquire the resort.
And Tamarack, once shrouded in failure and polyethylene, started shaking off the dust.
“The first few years were challenging in that prospective purchasers of real estate were skeptical, having been a failed ski resort,” Navarro said. “Many wondered, ‘Was this new owner going to do what they say they are going to do?’”
Pieces of the resort were scattered across multiple entities, from the Seattle-based joint venture Banner/Sabey, which owned the Village, the homeowners who had control of mountain operations, and the hedge fund that controlled the water and sewers.
“Eighteen months later, we had worked through all of the pieces to be able to put Humpty Dumpty back together,” Navarro said. “My second trip out there, the family went out with me. It was neat, just walking them through the Village and laying out the vision, and then for them to go back two years later and see it complete. But again, we had the confidence, with the right partners and with the original general contractor on board, to finish what was the original master plan.”
That included things like reinstalling the Wildwood Lift in 2019, which had been repossessed and removed in 2012.
“We are now focused on delivering a new meaningful amenity each year which further elevates the resort,” Navarro said. “Six years later, having invested over $200 million in the resort, that skepticism is no longer there. Tamarack 2.0 is thriving.”
“It's easier for my family to vacation there than it is for me, for sure,” Navarro said, with a laugh. “But as a resort owner, we are fortunate to have a good team on the ground, including Scott Turlington (resort president) and Kara Finlay (chief operating and financial officer) who we could not do this without.”
Idaho has offered Navarro a new perspective on recreation as well.
“I was born and raised in Miami,” he said. “Miami's an amazing place, but it can be very pretentious at times. It was refreshing to connect with the homeowners and the families out in Tamarack who were just looking for a place with a laidback vibe and…to just make great memories with their families. It was enchanting, to be honest.”
Family is a guiding principle for Navarro.
“My wife, Claudia, and I could not be more proud of the three amazing young men (ages 22, 20, and 17) that we’ve raised – any business accomplishment pales in comparison to that achievement,” he said. “All my family is here in South Florida. My brother, my sister, my parents, the 10 kids between us. We all live within 10 minutes of each other – we are a very close family.”
The original family business, started by Navarro’s grandfather, was a chain of drugstores bearing the family’s last name. With the pivot to commercial and resort properties, the next generation has figured out how to hit their work life-balance.
“I spend a week a month (at Tamarack) for work,” Navarro said. “And then we vacation out there as a family in the summers and winters, with a few father-son, friends, and spring break trips in between. Six years ago, the resort business was certainly outside of our wheelhouse, but my brother, brother-in-law, and I have figured out how to best divide up the responsibilities amongst us. I personally am most involved in the real estate and marketing side of the business.”
Navarro also spends a lot of time talking with team members, homeowners, and club members.
“It's always helpful to hear from people on the ground, and people who live there, as to where there may be opportunities to improve,” Navarro said. “For a large and complex project like Tamarack, being able to have sole ownership and control, and be able to make decisions based on what is best for the long term, is important. My family and I look forward to owning Tamarack for generations.”
While Navarro does plenty of work to keep Tamarack up and running, he also takes the time to utilize what he and the rest of the Tamarack community have built.
“I was recently at Tamarack with my wife, two of our boys, and 10 of their friends on a golf trip,” he said. “They recount that it was the
most active week of their lives: playing a round of golf in the morning, downhill biking in the afternoon, a twilight round of golf later in the day, and then wakeboarding and wake surfing until the sun set at 9 p.m., which is amazing. My wife’s favorite thing is to hop on an e-bike and bike around the resort for hours at a time. She enjoys
the pickleball clinics and open play with the club, the yoga, and the fitness classes. You don't get bored at Tamarack, that's for sure. It's pretty neat in that sense.”
“Tamarack is their happy place – there is nowhere they’d rather be. They’re all avid skiers, and the skiing at Tamarack is awesome, but there is so much to do in the summers that I’d say they almost prefer it more.”
“A lot of people from the Treasure Valley come out and they're blown away by how much we've done since their last visit out, or how different Tamarack is today from what they remember 10 years ago when it was Tyvek Village,” Navarro said.
Since restarting the resort, achievements have included a golf course and mid-mountain lodge in 2024, construction starting on a 100-slip marina on Lake Cascade in August, plans for a hotel and clubhouse over the next few years, and new real estate and communities coming online each year.
“Folks say, ‘Oh, I should have bought five years ago. I missed the boat.’ But the reality is, I think we're in the third inning. Every year, we'll continue to deliver a transformational addition to the resort. We've accomplished a lot in the last five years, but I'm equally excited as to what we'll do in the next 10.”
The holidays are full of rituals that tie us together. Whether they have been passed down for generations or thought up spontaneously among friends, these traditions become touchstones of connection and celebration.
While the holidays each carry their own familiar cadences, it’s often the unique traditions that make this time of year most memorable. These are the
traditions that don’t appear on greeting cards, but rather they live in group chats and inside jokes. Maybe it’s a Friendsgiving potluck where none of the dishes match but all are a delight. Or a New Year’s toast to the things you won’t miss the most. These are the celebrations that remind us that the holidays aren’t just about the calendar. They are about connection, creativity, and carving out joy in our own way.
ARTICLE BY CHELSEA CHAMBERS | PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED
My family loves a good Thanksgiving turkey. And ham. Rolls, greenbean casserole—the works. And while I love Thanksgiving dinner (at 2 pm) with people I love, I will admit that my aunt’s beer cheese dip is what I look forward to the most. We realized a while ago that by the time Christmas rolls around—not hardly a month later—we’re pretty well hammed up. After a solid, and delicious,
multi-year stent of soup and paninis on Christmas, we one-upped ourselves with the Christmas Night Nacho Table. Born from a Facebook inspiration and a shared love of nachos, the table was cleared, covered in chips and tin foil, heat guns at the ready and a tradition was born.
As the holidays roll around once again, enjoy this amalgamation of unique, wild, wacky, and
weird holiday traditions gathered from around the state. Some captured in photographs, others that live solely in the minds and group chats of those involved, until now. Maybe it will inspire your own wild and wonderful ideas? It’s never too late to start something new. All traditions have a beginning.
“Every New Year’s Eve we had a fancy dinner (crab legs and steak), played board games, and watched the ball drop together as a family! Kept us home when we were younger!” She’s continued the tradition into her adulthood with her husband and growing family.
“My family comes from all across the country and world. We each bring a gift native to our region (sometimes the caveat is that it must be from a gas station, for example). We then play games and winners pick from the gifts. It’s always so funny to see what everyone
brings! Our family has grown, so we wanted to make it about our time together and not gifts. We pick a theme and shopping for it is half the fun! This year we are doing an ugly sweater bowling party. We have family coming from St. Louis, Texas, Australia, and Idaho.”
JEAN
“Every big holiday, we ride our horses, weather permitting. Our favorite rides are Christmas and/or New Years. Trotting through the sparkling snow on Crane Meadow...”
“On Black Friday, we put up our Christmas tree and decorate it while watching the 1990 horror/comedy classic Tremors.”
“Since I do pottery, every year on Black Friday we each make another person in the family a coffee
mug or cereal bowl. We trim them and fire them for who they are meant to be. I always know because I put them in the kiln. We open them on Xmas morning and then we use them for the whole year till the next Black Friday and we start all over."
“We hide a ceramic pickle ornament in the tree and look for it on Christmas Eve. Whoever finds it gets a gift!”
“We go to all the local holiday markets to Christmas shop and support local makers and creators! There are so many fun events to go to with kids and find cool new art and trinkets. We also have been making it a point to keep our gifts handmade or harvested for the holidays rather than contributing to the commercial chaos that Christmas has turned into.”
“Our holidays look a bit different than most, but we love it that way! Our family decided to stop giving gifts a few years ago and it has been a truly amazing experience. We used to feel pressured to buy things that our loved ones didn't need (or even want). Now we just enjoy spending quality time with each other around the holidays. We usually eat good food, play cards, and watch Jurassic Park! No stress, no pressure - just good company and lots of love.”
Three campuses.
PreK - 12th Classical Christian Education
Two educational models.
One classical Christian community.
We invite you to learn more about what a classical Christian education could mean for your family by taking a tour of one of our three campus locations: Locust Grove (Meridian), North (Boise), and Bridge (Garden City).
Sign up for a tour or request more information at TheAmbroseSchool.org/Admissions
The scene plays out across Boise and Meridian at dozens of fields and gyms every week.
Young athletes take the field, parents start videoing the action, and friends and family cheer.
The only difference is some of the Game Changers Idaho (GCI) athletes have disabilities.
Founded in 2018, the nonprofit currently serves nearly 500 kids, utilizing more than 200 volunteers.
“We started from scratch with just a flag football program,” GCI Executive Director Gabriel Moreno said. “It was like 40 kids and a dozen volunteers. Now we have a soccer program, a gymnastics program, golf. We have CrossFit, fencing, basketball, a program called Training Camp, and then another program called Little Game Changers for threeto five-year-olds.”
A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
GCI is free for all its athletes, with programs running for roughly 10 to 12 weeks.
“It's providing consistency for these kids and the families, rather than a one-day sports day for inclusion,” Moreno said. “It's like, no, every week they should be having an opportunity to see their teammates and play. We're just a sports program. If you think about it, we just serve kids with disabilities, and we provide volunteers for them so parents don't have to be volunteers.”
The programs offer kids the joy of sports and the opportunity to be trusted teammates.
ARTICLE BY JORDAN GRAY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GAME CHANGERS IDAHO
“Our football program, our soccer program, our basketball program is for kids with and without disability. And oftentimes, you can't tell who's who. You couldn't tell who a peer mentor is or who an athlete is.
“Our peer mentors, they start when they're kindergartners. And they're just playing a sport. And they don't even know they're playing with kids with disabilities. So over time, they're going to grow up and they're going to realize, ‘Oh, these kids are different.’ But they've already accepted it. And we have so many kids in that position right now and they're turning into coaches and they're leading their team, and it's a beautiful thing.”
Parents tell Moreno they appreciate their child not being a token or a photo op.
“We don't use the word ‘inclusion’ in our program,” he said. “Just do the work and do it often to the point where you don't need to use that word. And that's exactly what we're doing.”
One of Moreno’s favorite quotes, from Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax,” is a guiding principle for GCI: ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’
“It's so true with our organization,” he said. “I love what I do, but there's only so much I can do alone. And that's where the volunteers come in. Amazing people, racking up hundreds of hours of volunteer service. And they're so consistent and you can tell they really enjoy helping.”
But the spirit of helping at GCI isn’t limited to volunteers.
KUPANA: ‘TO GIVE’ IN SWAHILI
“How often are children with disabilities ever put in a position to help others?” Moreno asked. “It's usually the opposite, right? They're like the charity case; they have a disability. I view things differently.”
To that end, one of GCI’s main events is a SoleKIDS JogA-Thon, which raises money for Free Wheelchair Mission and provides wheelchairs to Peruvians who can’t access mobility aids. The event is part of KUPANA, a GCI program focused on service, teamwork, and giving back.
“We’re always looking for monthly donors, one-time donors, sponsors. There are different ways to give.”
“Just because they have a disability doesn't mean they're incapable of helping others,” Moreno said of his athletes, who raised enough money to donate 30 wheelchairs after June’s event.
Thirty GCI volunteers visited Iquitos, Peru, this year to assemble and deliver the wheelchairs.
“These wheelchairs were bought and paid for by Game Changer athletes,” Moreno said. “And the parents really appreciate that we view their kids in a way where they're able to help other people, and they legit change someone's life.
Our sports programs are great and all, but that's probably our most impactful program. And it's very, very, very rare that you see that.”
For Moreno, his early visions for GCI were formed back in college, when he got a job as a community support worker with a therapy clinic.
“You're partnered with a child,” he explained. “And in this case, this child was on the spectrum and he had little goals that he struggled with: communication skills, doing his chores, going out in public and paying for something on his own without feeling anxious or whatever. (If) he did become overwhelmed, how do you recover from that? So it was my first experience working with a child with a disability and it really just opened my eyes. It started off with him and that really made me want to, from there going forward, work in this field serving these kids.”
The boy, Caleb, was 8 when Moreno met him.
“He's 22 now. And he volunteers for us. He's a referee for our flag football program. He's a role model of like, ‘Hey, sure he has a disability, but he's still capable of helping.’”
It’s an example that’s spreading.
“We're seeing a lot of our younger kids grow up and they're still participating with us, but they're also capable of volunteering,” Moreno said. “And we're giving them little roles, so they're successful. But it started with (Caleb). And it was him that really just made me want to continue doing more.”
As with many organizations, growing pains have started to hit.
“In the future, it is a big dream of ours to have our own indoor facility,” Moreno said. “Our partners are people that provide facilities, and they either give it to us for free or a discounted rate. We're really appreciative of what they give us, but we have to always work around their schedule. And I know there's a lot more that we can do. But in order to do that, we do need our own facility.”
Moreno said this is a long-term vision, but finding a way forward will help grow GCI to a year-round organization that can help more Idaho kids.
“We're always looking for monthly donors, one-time donors, sponsors. There are different ways to give.”
Until that day, GCI will continue to answer the Lorax’s call, by caring ‘a whole awful lot’ as its athletes take to fields, courts, and mats.
To learn more about GCI, visit gamechangersidaho.org
1 — CANYON COUNTY FESTIVAL OF TREES
Ford Idaho, 5:30 PM: See dazzling trees, shop, and meet Santa! fordidahocenter.com
2-7 — MJ THE MUSICAL
Morrison Center: Michael Jackson’s legendary artistry and story! morrisoncenter.com
4-7 — A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Morrison Center: Back by popular demand! morrisoncenter.com
4-20 — A SHERLOCK CAROL
Boise Little Theatre: Sherlock Holmes solves a Dickens Christmas mystery! boiselittletheater.com
4-31 — A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Max Bell Theatre: Experience the timeless holiday classic! theatrecalgary.com
5 — WINTER LIGHTS PARADE
Downtown Meridian, 7 PM: Enjoy dazzling lights and floats! meridiancity.org
5-7— BOISE CHRISTMAS SHOW
Expo Idaho: Shop 225+ vendors and meet Santa & Mrs. Claus! boisechristmasshow.com
5-7— TRICA’S SNOW GLOBE
1406 W Eastman St: A magical winter wonderland of art and fun! trica.org
6 — BINGO
Meridian Senior Center, 7 AM: Play, win, and have fun every Friday! fb.com
6 — TREASURE VALLEY NIGHT LIGHT PARADE
Cleveland Blvd, 6 PM: Winter Nights & Magical Lights! caldwellchamber.org
6 — BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Zoo Boise, 8:30 AM: Share a festive morning with Santa! zooboise.org
6 — BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AND THE GRINCH
Garlic Rose Bistro, 11 AM: Enjoy festive food, photos, and make holiday memories! garlicrose.com
6 — WINTER WREATH MAKING
Post Falls, 2 PM: Create, sip, and celebrate the season at the farm! sowingjoyfarm.com
6-7 — 8TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Gem County Fairgrounds: Shop local and support a purrfect cause! fb.com
7 — NATE BARGATZE
ExtraMile Arena, 7 PM: Big Dumb Eyes 2025 World Tour! extramilearena.com
11 — GABBY’S DOLL HOUSE LIVE!
Ford Idaho Center, 6 PM: For the first time in the US! fordidahocenter.com
13 — CHILDREN’S WINTERLAND FESTIVAL
Meridian HomeCourt, 10 AM: A magical day of games, crafts, and Santa visits! meridiancity.org
13 — HOLIDAY KIDS
BIKE GIVEAWAY
Boise Bicycle Project: Give kids their very own dream bike! boisebicycleproject.org
13 — UGLY SWEATER BAR CRAWL
Pengilly Saloon, 4 PM: Rock your ugliest sweater and join Boise’s merry holiday crawl! pubcrawls.com
13 — SANTACON BAR CRAWL 2025
Suit up in your Santa best and join the festive fun on a jolly night of drinks and cheer! pubcrawls.com
13-23 — THE NUTCRACKER
Morrison Center: A timeless holiday classic! balletidaho.org
14 — BIG BAND SWINGING CHRISTMAS
The Riverside Hotel, 7 PM: Swing into the season with Boise Straight Ahead’s festive jazz show! sapphiresocietyboise.com
19 — CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL
Boise YMCA, 6 PM: Enjoy festive games, holiday treats, and family fun this season! ymcatvidaho.org
20 — YMCA CHRISTMAS RUN
Boise High School, 10 AM: Celebrate the season with a festive holiday run! runsignup.com
20 — PAINT WITH PENGUINS
Zoo Boise, 3:30 PM: Sip, paint, and enjoy penguin-made art! zooboise.org
22 — FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
Albertson’s Stadium, 12:30 PM: Nonstop action in this year’s ultimate college football clash! famousidahopotatobowl.com
22-31 — $3 DECEMBER
Zoo Boise: A wild holiday adventure with $3 admission! zooboise.org
22 — MERIDIAN MONDAY NIGHT MARKET
Rocky Mountain High School, 7 AM: Shop, eat, and celebrate! fb.com
31 — 13TH ANNUAL POTATO DROP
Idaho State Capitol: Ring in the New Year, Idaho-style! idahopotatodrop.com
31 — NEW YEAR’S EVE BAR CRAWL
Downtown Boise, 6 PM: Ring in 2026 with music, drinks, and nonstop fun all night long! pubcrawls.com
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