Lions Christmas tree stand a community effort on both sides of till
When you see Dundee Lions Club members selling their Christmas trees in Grafelman Park this year, don't view them as just another civic group using a holiday prop to raise money -- view it as a community effort.
Yes, this civic group is trying to raise money from the 335 balsam, Fraser fir and white pine trees they'll sell.
But not all of the $5,000 members expect to take in will benefit the club itself.
Some of it will go to the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Some of it will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township. And some of it will go to the Community Crisis Center in Elgin, said Mike Buhrmann, club president.
And if you should buy a tree or wreath from the club's stand after it opens for business today in the West Dundee park, don't expect to meet only club members. The entire sale is a community effort in itself.
Even though they are not part of the Lions Club, West Dundee Village President Larry Keller may be running the stand one or two weekend days, as well as village manager Joseph Cavallaro, and village trustees.
They've all promised to brave cold and windy nights to ensure the tree stand continues the three- or four-decade-old tradition and opens the day after Thanksgiving.
Lions Club members have been running the stand for two years. Before that, it was operated by the Dundee Jaycees, a group that disbanded because the number of members grew too small.
When the Lions took the stand over, village officials vowed to help them; the club has its annual middle school basketball tournament on a weekend in December.
"This is a big year for the tournament," Buhrmann said. "It's the 50th anniversary. It will be held on Dec. 15-16. We appreciate the help the village gives us. We're also helped out by members of the Carpentersville Lions Club."
Even though it's another thing to do during the busy holiday season, selling Christmas trees is fun, Cavallaro said.
"People are in a good mood when they come to buy their Christmas tree. We have a fun time talking to them," he said. "We help with the sales because we want to keep the stand open every year."
Because the stand is in the Route 72 park and surrounded by a residential neighborhood, it's close to many residents. Some people carry their trees down the street to their homes, and others tie them to their cars for a short drive.
Club members keep prices low. The trees cost from $35 to $80. That in itself keeps people coming back every year, Buhrmann said.
Tradition is the only advertising that is needed.
"We don't have any trouble selling the trees," he said. "Last year we sold out a couple of days before Christmas Eve."
This year, members are hoping for the same.
The stand opens today, with special hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. From tomorrow to Christmas Eve, lot hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.