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Rotary Club's annual Christmas tree fundraiser returning this week

The Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow's annual Christmas tree stand will be back for business beginning Thursday afternoon
Tree Lot 2
Rotarian Glenn Hagel sorts through trees at the Christmas tree lot in 2019. (photo by Shawn Slaght)

There’s snow on the ground and many folks are wondering when the annual Christmas tree stand from the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow will be open this year — and the good news is that it will open very soon. 

The local group will be set up and ready to spread some holiday cheer on Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. with this year’s selection of Christmas trees. Rotarian Glenn Hagel is excited to once again see trees go home with excited customers.

The annual tree lot will be taking over a corner of the Moose Jaw Co-op Marketplace parking lot, located on First Avenue Northwest. It will feature a selection of premium fresh-cut balsam, Fraser fir and spruce trees to fit into any home.

The tree lot is a beloved tradition for both the city and the Rotary Club, said Hagel, as it serves as both a happy holiday service for local families and as a fundraiser for the organization. 

“For a lot of our customers over the years, it's special for them. We see people every year because they know we get good trees and they know the money they’re paying for their trees goes to a good cause,” said Hagel. “It's really a nice win-win Christmas combination for everybody.”

The Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow and the Kiwanis Club ran the tree lot fundraiser in partnership for many years, with the Rotary Club taking full responsibility for the event six years ago.

All of the proceeds from the tree sales go directly back into the community through the Rotary Club, supporting numerous local projects and a handful of international ones that are close to the non-profits group’s heart. 

This includes local projects like the summer literacy camps from the Moose Jaw Literacy Network, Hunger in Moose Jaw’s lunch program for students and the Kids Ink workshop at the Saskatchewan Festival of Words.

Additionally, the club offers post-secondary scholarships for students and a youth leadership award every year. They also support larger projects on the international stage, like helping low-income children attend school in Guatemala and a world polio eradication program.

“We list all of the volunteer projects we support, both locally and internationally, on the receipts so [our customers] know that along with a really good Christmas tree, they’re doing something to make the world a better place as well,” said Hagel. “We’re very much kid-oriented, and it's important that the things we choose to support or be involved with [support kids].”

Hagel also noted that while this year’s tree lot will be business as usual, it will also be following all of the recommended safety precautions to help keep everyone safe from COVID-19. 

Staff on the lot will be wearing masks and following safety procedures, like maintaining distance and using sanitation methods, and customers are asked to wear their own masks or use one of the masks provided to them when they visit.

“It is extremely important to us that people can count on it being a safe environment, so no one feels unsafe when they’re out looking for the right tree,” said Hagel.

Following opening day, the tree lot will be open Mondays to Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 15 — or until the trees are gone, which Hagel anticipates will be fairly quickly.

“We really do encourage people to come early to find the perfect tree for the perfect spot in their home,” said Hagel. “I think the chances are pretty good that we will sell out earlier than usual this year, [with] so many people likely staying at home for Christmas.” 

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