Wildfire Risk and Homeowners Insurance in Rim Country
By Dennis Riccio, President, Central Arizona Association of REALTORS®
For Integra Homes & Land, a prominent real estate brokerage serving the Chaparral Pines and Rim Golf Club communities, giving back is more than a seasonal gesture. It is part of their identity as a locally rooted business dedicated to supporting their Payson-area neighbors. With offices in both gated golf communities, the company has built a reputation not only for real estate expertise but also for meaningful community involvement. One of their most-loved traditions is the annual “Pies in the Pines” event.
Pies in the Pines began three years ago with a straightforward mission. Integra wanted to offer something warm and thoughtful to kick off the fall and holiday season. Pairing a pie giveaway with the CAAR Fall Food Drive seemed like the perfect way to encourage charitable giving while celebrating community spirit. What started with no specific goals beyond “doing something nice” quickly took on a life of its own. Each year the response has grown, and the event is now a cherished autumn tradition for Chaparral Pines and Rim Golf Club residents.
Every fall, Integra mails out a Save the Date to property owners inviting them to pick up a free, freshly baked Cross Winds restaurant pie at their Chaparral Pines sales office in exchange for a food donation or check supporting the local food bank. Cross Winds is famous in Payson for its pies, making them an easy and delicious choice for the event. Integra sets aside 100 pies each year, and residents consistently show up ready to give. According to the team, “People like to give back during the holidays,” and their generosity proves it. This year, residents donated more than 900 pounds of food and monetary contributions, the largest amount yet.
The brokerage feels the donations matter. More importantly, the tradition gives residents an opportunity to connect with one another and support families in need. As Integra shared, “People really get a lot of joy out of receiving the pies and out of giving.” That spirit of joy and generosity is at the heart of why the event continues to thrive.
Interested in what CAAR does and how you can get involved? Contact us below to talk to our team.