The following is just a sample of locations.
- Aunt Leah’s Tree Lots is celebrating its 20th anniversary by continuing a Christmas tradition of selling high-quality trees across Metro Vancouver with proceeds benefitting programs that help prevent kids and youth in foster care from becoming homeless – and young mothers from losing custody of their children. By incorporating a small army of volunteers, Aunt Leah’s tree lots also provide an opportunity for families and groups across Metro Vancouver to give back to their communities and help those in need. This year, the Vancouver School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing has committed to volunteering more than 30 hours at the Burnaby tree lot. The tree lots also serve as a great opportunity for Aunt Leah’s participants to develop important work skills through its retail training program. For some youth, the program is their first work experience and is an important stepping stone on their path to self-sufficiency. The program teaches youth how to handle money and operate a digital sales system, the importance of customer relations and other work-related skills. Upon completion of the program youth participants receive a reference letter for future employment opportunities. In Vancouver, Aunt Leah’s Tree Lot is set up at St. Stephen’s United Church, 7025 Granville St. at West 54th Avenue, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lots are also set up in Burnaby, Coquitlam and North Vancouver. For more information and complete list of locations visit auntleahs.org.
- This Saturday, Dec. 6, the corner of Kingsway and East 10th Avenue (225 Kingsway) will be transformed into a festive Christmas tree lot from noon to 5 p.m. This charity Christmas tree sale was organized by PortLiving real estate developer in support of Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. Trees may be purchased for a minimum donation of $20.
- The Christmas season officially began in the city Nov. 30, when truckloads of trees arrived at Prince of Wales Secondary School for sale to the public in support of TREK, an outdoor, environmental education program open to all grade 10 students in Vancouver. The program combines outdoor activities and academic studies throughout the school year. Students in the program gain self-confidence and self-reliance and a greater respect for community and environment. The TREK lot is the largest in the city with tree prices ranging from $17 to $157 and options for delivery, which is free for seniors. Visit trektrees.com.
- According to the Vancouver South Lions Club, the group has trees to fit every taste, including that of the Charlie Brown variety, for sale at John Oliver secondary school, located at the corner of Fraser Street and East 41st Avenue. Besides a great variety of trees, the club also offers competitive prices for Douglas, plantation, grand, and Fraser firs, as well as blue spruce and some Scotch pine, all grown in Canada. But the best advantage to buying a tree from the Lions Club is the fact all the money raised goes back to helping communities across Metro Vancouver.
- The Lord Byng Christmas tree lot, 3939 West 16th Ave., is open Dec. 5 to 18 from 12:30 to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Choose from a variety of local, fresh cut and living Christmas trees at KJM Country Gardens, 7226 Blenheim St., in Southlands. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while checking out a variety of trees hand-picked from a Langley farm and visiting with the garden’s resident horses, goats and chickens. KJM is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., but staff can work with customers to stay later if need be to allow an opportunity to choose that perfect tree. Visit kjmcountrygardens.com.
twitter.com/sthomas10
