Fresh trees for sale
Published 7:06 pm Wednesday, November 22, 2017
If there’s nothing that gets you in the Christmas spirit more than a live Christmas tree, two nonprofit organizations in Suffolk are here to help this year.
Live trees will be sold by the Knights of Columbus Council 7363 as well as at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church.
It is the fourth year of tree sales for the church, said Barry Cole, who is in charge of the tree lot.
“This is just something for the community and the church,” Cole said. “It’s a little bit of outreach.”
Cole said 25 percent of the money raised goes to the Western Tidewater Free Clinic. The remainder is used by the church to assist people in need in the community.
Tree sales will take place at the church, 3488 Godwin Blvd., every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except during Sunday services, until they’re gone, Cole said. But this Sunday, a special event will be held that includes free dinner as well as helicopter rides.
William Campbell from Hampton Roads Helicopters has donated his time to do the helicopter rides, Cole said. Dinner will include smoked pork barbecue, roasted chickens, “all the sides and fixings that go with it and more desserts than the law will allow,” Cole said.
“It’s a great time to support the trees and the event,” he said. “We’d like for you to come out and get you a tree, but if you don’t get a tree you can sure get some food and fellowship.”
A DJ and live music will also be on hand during the event, which will go from about 4 to 9 p.m.
The Knights of Columbus tree lot opened last week and also will sell trees until they’re gone. The lot is located at 2432 Pruden Blvd.
It is the 10th year for the organization doing tree sales after taking over from the Jaycees, said member Mike Bibbo. He’s been involved for 24 years with both organizations.
“We do it because we love to do it,” he said. “All the proceeds from this lot stay in the community helping various organizations. We are founded on that premise of charity. It’s dear to every one of us.”
The Suffolk News-Herald Cheer Fund, which funds the purchase of toys for children from low-income families, is one of the many beneficiaries of the Knights of Columbus tree lot.
Bibbo said the organization will sell high-quality trees from western Pennsylvania. The Fraser firs will be 6 feet to 12 feet in height, and the organization has about 460 of them to sell.
About 50 volunteers from the organization, as well as high school students earning community service hours, will serve on the tree lot.
The Knights of Columbus lot will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.