One of New Canaan’s most active service organizations, the Exchange Club (background here), is preparing to launch its hugely popular Annual Tree Sale at Kiwanis Park.
The sale, whose proceeds go toward the club’s grant-giving program, benefitting local charities, will open Nov. 29 in the Old Norwalk Road park.
We put some questions to New Canaan’s David Shea, a Board member at Exchange, ahead of the sale, which runs through Dec. 22.
Here’s our back-and-forth.
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New Canaanite: How much does the Exchange Club rely on the Christmas Tree Sale to support its grant-giving for local nonprofit organizations?
The Exchange Club of New Canaan raises its funds for grant-making through the Christmas Tree Sale and a golf outing.
David Shea: Since 1972 the Christmas Tree and Wreath sale is the club’s primary source of revenue for our annual grants and donations. The funds earned from this sale provide over 75% of the monies we give away each year to local charities and services.
How does the Exchange Club set the prices for the sale, and what are they?
Exchange Club of New Canaan at a past Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale. Contributed
In order to meet our fundraising goal, we cannot match the bargain prices found at area retailers. We try and stay competitive with the upper end tree sales operations in our area. We sell five to ten foot Frasier Firs and Balsams with the prices ranging from $149 to just below $300 for the 10 foot trees. This year we have minimally raised the prices on only some of the trees.
What do you sell, in addition to the trees?
Creating the Christmas Tree Sale lot at Kiwanis Park, a tradition of the Exchange Club of New Canaan, in 2017.
We sell a large array of both plain (cedar and pine) and decorated wreaths in a wide variety of sizes. In addition, we offer both cedar and white pine roping and various Christmas specialties including door charms, lights, bows and tree stands. The plain and decorated wreaths start at $49 with only the giant wreaths $100.
How many organizations typically benefit from the Exchange Club’s giving? What are some that will be most familiar to New Canaanites?
At the Christmas Tree Sale lot at Kiwanis Park, a tradition of the Exchange Club of New Canaan.
Over the past few years, we awarded each year over 30 grants to local charities including the New Canaan ABC House, New Canaan Library, Staying Put in New Canaan, Ram Council Foundation, Planet New Canaan, Help for Kids, New Canaan CARES, GetAbout, New Canaan CERT, Silvermine Arts Guild, Waveny Lifecare Network, VFW, Meal on Wheels, New Canaan Parent Support Group, Bristow Bird Center, New Canaan Society for the Arts/Carriage Barn Arts Center and our annual college scholarship to a New Canaan student.
Creating the Christmas Tree Sale lot at Kiwanis Park, a tradition of the Exchange Club of New Canaan.
We have many new residents in New Canaan, including those about to celebrate the holidays here for the first time. What is the Exchange Club’s message to those families?
The Exchange Club of New Canaan’s annual Christmas tree sale is a community event that embodies the spirit of the season. For more than 50 years, the Club has been selling fresh-cut Christmas trees at Kiwanis Park, raising funds for local charities while spreading holiday cheer. Families and friends gather to select the perfect tree, drop off their Christmas lists, take photos with Santa or take a ride around town on Old Faithful, the antique fire truck.