MANATEE COUNTY (WSNN) – Trying to keep your Christmas tree tradition alive, despite the pandemic? The Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County has you covered.
“It’s more important now than ever to be able to help our local non-profits,” Manatee County Resident, Susan Parker said.
COVID aside, The Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County is moving forward with its annual fundraiser, with precautions fully in place.
“Hopefully providing a little bit of uplift and cheer to our community, as well as helping kids in need,” President and CEO, Dawn Stanhope said.
It’s the club’s 66th Christmas tree sale. Stanhope says it’s their largest fundraiser of the year.
“The clubs have been open since April providing needed services to families and not charging a fee for those services due to COVID,” Stanhope said. We really wanted to ensure that Folks could access us and utilize the clubs, providing services for e-learners during the day as well as our after-school programs.”
This is why some Suncoast residents say they’re buying trees.
“I think it means a lot to be able to know that fulfilling our family tradition of getting a live Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving is going to support the mission of this great organization, which makes it even more special today,” Manatee County Resident, Jacki Dezelski said.
Maybe one holiday tradition we can hold onto.
“This is a real joy to be able to go ahead and get our tree and get it put up and know that we’re helping our community a little bit at the same time,” Parker said. “It’s a tradition, we do this every year. And my husband, when he grew up, he went to Boys & Girls Club here in Manatee County, so it’s something we feel like is a little way to give back.”
It’s located at McKelvey Park, 3913 Manatee Avenue West next to Publix and adjacent to Jessie P. Miller Elementary School, in Bradenton. The fundraiser kicked off on Friday and will go until December 19th or until trees sell out.
“We will all just close up and have a wonderful holiday season together and celebrate the good things that we can this year,” Stanhope said. “Definitely counting our blessings.”
The club plans to sell more than 600 trees over the next three weeks.
To ensure everyone’s safety, the club is limiting the tree lot to 14 customers at a time, with temperatures taken prior to entering. All staff and volunteers will be wearing masks. And there are no cash sales this year.
