MOOSE JAW — It may not look like a winter wonderland just yet, but the Moose Jaw Wakamow Rotary Club is hoping to generate some festive cheer with its upcoming Christmas tree program.
The club will begin selling its ever-popular trees on Friday, Nov. 22 at the Co-op Food Store, with weekday hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. It is bringing in 420 trees, including Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, and White Spruce.
Residents should purchase their trees quickly as the club usually runs out around Dec. 10 — which falls on a Tuesday this year.
“We hope to do so (sell out) again this year,” said Dave Bowler, program chairman, noting that 20 to 25 members will be supporting the initiative.
Last year the Wakamow Rotary Club raised roughly $10,000 from the sales, which it combined with the $20,000 it had raised from other projects and donated to several charities.
When residents buy a tree, they will also receive a list of projects the club has pursued this year and how well those initiatives went, said Bowler.
Locally, some projects include supporting the food bank, the health foundation and post-secondary scholarships, while internationally, projects focus on supporting education and building classrooms in developing countries and helping eradicate polio.
“It’s a nice fundraiser because we’re providing people with a service and we feel we’re giving them a really good value,” said Bowler. “We sell quality trees and we try to keep the price reasonable.
“And we get to meet a lot of people during the time and they’re always in good spirits when they’re buying a tree.”
The Rotary volunteers will also offer tree-care tips, including slicing off the final inch of the tree’s base — one of the most important parts of keeping a tree fresh for longer. The newly exposed base soaks up more water, while owners should give them as much water as they can handle.
Bowler encouraged families to purchase a tree on Saturday, Nov. 30, because the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, will be on hand from 1 to 4 p.m. supporting the project and taking pictures with children young and old.
“He’s been there every year and it’s been a popular time for families to buy their trees,” the program chairman said.
Bowler added that the people like the atmosphere of the tree farm, while new lighting means they can now shop more effectively in the evenings.
Other projects
Bowler provided an update about two projects the Moose Jaw Wakamow Rotary Club initiated this year: its Fly the Flag fundraiser and its pancake breakfasts in the summer.
The club was happy with how its flag project turned out, as it attracted 75 residents who allowed the club to erect Canadian flags on poles in their front yards.
“We hope to grow it next year,” he said.
Furthermore, on Saturday mornings during the Wakamow Farmers’ Markets in August, the club organized 80 to 100 pancake breakfasts that generated thousands of dollars in donations. One day was dedicated to supporting Square One Community Inc., with the club raising $692 for the organization.
