For thirty-six years, families in the Prince Calvert, Maryland have been buying their Christmas trees from the Calvert Optimist Club. Generations return to the Optimist Club's designated spot on the Safeway parking lot. This year they are selling 1,050 trees and making wreaths from the fresh cut boughs. In Champagne, Illinois, Optimist Club president Laura Auteberry spoke with the newspaper to promote their club's Christmas tree lot. "We are the only fundraising tee lot in town," she boasted.
All around the country, Optimist Clubs get in on the Christmas tree action. According to Ms. Auteberry, there are needy kids in every area, and Optimist Club programs provide joy and excitement for those kids. The Christmas tree sales are one way to go about ensuring that all youth get to enjoy the holiday season.
