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Date: 12/1/2020
EASTHAMPTON – Easthampton Congregational Church is reviving the Christmas Tree sale previously put on annually by the Kiwanis group of Easthampton, Southampton, and Westhampton. For 40 years, Kiwanis donated the profits to charity. The group discontinued last year due to the lower numbers of new volunteers.
Jeff Swanson, a former member of the Kiwanis Group and a member of the church, said the church’s food pantry could count on the Kiwanis group’s donations, so he asked the church boards if this is something they should take over.
“It was an important fundraiser for the church, as we were a contributor from the Kiwanis. It went to the food pantry and we were also able to do more with those funds so it was a big loss to the church when they dismantled, so we talked as a group and then decided this was the year to do it. Now with COVID, it is probably even more of a blessing,” he said.
Swanson said they will have 225 trees available for sale on the Massage School grounds, the same place that Kiwanis had their sale. Hours will be Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m. The trees will be sold for $60, Swanson said, and if there is a family who cannot afford it, the church will work with them so everyone can walk away with a tree.
The same company that the Kiwanis used, the Sibgo Tree Company, is providing the trees this year as well.
Swanson said the church family is excited to volunteer their time, be outside, and give back to the community. All the proceeds will go back into the church and fulfill many of their local mission projects including the food pantry.