The Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow has been holding an annual sale of premium-quality Christmas trees for several years now, bringing over 400 Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, and White Spruce trees to the Moose Jaw Co-op gas station parking lot.
“The Christmas tree sales will be opening on Thursday, Nov. the 24th at 3 p.m.,” said Glenn Hagel, a Wakamow Rotarian. “This is our club’s largest fundraiser, and these are premium Christmas trees that make a difference in the world.
“What we do is list on our receipts the 20 organizations and initiatives that the Rotary Club supports, the large majority of which are local.”
Many people buy one of the Rotary trees not only as part of their Christmas tradition, Hagel said, but because they know that the profits from the trees are going to good causes.
“Our local projects are in the categories of food, health care, and education, and then internationally, the two that we are involved in are getting rid of polio worldwide, and education in Guatemala.”
On Saturday, Dec. 3, Santa Claus will drop in to the Rotary Christmas tree stand from 1 to 3 p.m.
Many families bring their children with them to help pick out the season’s tree, so Dec. 3 is a great chance to get a photo with Santa while getting the tree he’ll later stash presents under.
“Perhaps if there’s time available, they can even ask Santa to help them pick out their tree,” Hagel said.
Tree prices are based on size and species. There will be a price list posted as soon as the stand begins assembly.
Hagel added that for the past few years, the Rotary Christmas tree stand has been selling out early.
“People know it’s coming, and there are a good number who do plan to get there early and pick the perfect tree to have in their home at Christmas time.”
The trees come with a guarantee of quality, so if a tree turns out to be too dry and dies quickly despite proper care, it will be replaced.
The Rotary volunteers staffing the stand will offer tree-care tips as well, including chain-sawing off the final inch or so of the tree’s base — this is one of the most important parts of keeping a tree fresh for longer. The newly exposed base will soak up more water. Trees should be given as much water as they can handle.
“I’ve sold Christmas trees several times before, so there will be a good number of people I recognize. I’m looking forward to that,” Hagel said. “I would also be deeply negligent not to say how much we appreciate that the Moose Jaw Co-op has provided the place for our tree compound for many years.”
