With Christmas time approaching fast and the trees almost here for the Youth Center’s 15th annual Christmas Tree Lot Sale they are again poised for a major fundraiser, for the center and also for local schools who will benefit from it as well.
Beginning Nov. 29 through Dec. 21 the trees will be on sale at Ganahl Lumber’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (weekends) and noon to 9 p.m. (weekdays), until they sell out. Ganahl Lumber is at 10742 Los Alamitos Blvd. in Los Alamitos.
More than 500 volunteers total from the Youth Center will be on hand to help you select the perfect tree. You can listen to Christmas carols, have free hot cocoa and apple cider, and there will be free coloring books for the children.
There are four different types of trees to select from, with the best seller being the Noble tree. “It lasts the longest, looks beautiful and has a great aroma,” said the Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “For people who like to use heavier ornaments, we sell Nordman Fur trees. They have a bluish-green color, strong branches and are the priciest of all the trees we offer.”
The other two types of trees on sale are the Grand Firs and Douglas Firs. “For people who like to fill their house with aroma, the Grand Firs are perfect,” said Lumme. “They are perfect for people who have light ornaments.” She also said that the most affordable tree that the Youth Center offers that they don’t get at the beginning of the season because they don’t last that long are the Douglas Furs.
“All our trees arrive from Oregon where they have been cut and put on a truck as we order them and as they come to the Christmas tree lot,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “We then give a fresh cut to every single tree.” She went on to say that they get deliveries twice a week, and that the first tree will be available on Nov. 29 at 10:30 a.m.
During the Christmas Tree Lot Sale, the Youth Center helps different youth groups in the community. The groups include St. Hedwig School, McAuliff Middle School, Los Alamitos Elementary School, Weaver Elementary School and Rossmoor Elementary School as well as Los Alamitos High School baseball, basketball and marching bands.
“Annually, the Youth Center through the Christmas Tree Lot Sale helps the groups raise necessary funds as a major fundraiser,” said Lumme. “And the Youth Center not only helps other groups or schools to raise funds for youth programs, it is one of the biggest fundraisers for Youth Center programs.” These programs include the free after school program, the music education program, the Leadership Academy and “Every 15 Minutes” drunk driving determent program.
“The Christmas Tree Lot Sale is not just a fundraiser, it’s a community tradition,” said Lumme. “Many families come to buy their Christmas tree here since the day we opened. More than 4,000 youth got their first experience in customer service, sales and teamwork at the Christmas Tree Lot Sales.”
Lumme went on to say that this has been a tougher year financially for the Youth Center due to an increased need from participants, and that the Youth Center could use as much help from everyone this year.
“For many children that come to the Youth Center, we are one of the happiest memories of their childhood,” said Lumme. She added that one past Youth Center participant, Marquis Knowles, who now works with kids, said every time he comes to Los Alamitos, he has to drive by the Youth Center because it reminds him of those happy memories he had as a child.
“He is one of the kids that makes us do what we do,” said Lumme. “This shows that what we do matters and makes a difference. We don’t just sell trees, we sell trees that support local children.”
“Every penny we raise during the Christmas Tree Lot Sale goes to support local families and children in our community,” said Lumme.
