Civitans' tree sale offers cheer to buyers, charities

The New Bern Civitan Club’s annual Christmas tree and wreath sale has been bringing double holiday cheer for nearly 30 years.

Customers at the Civitan club’s tree lot beside the J.C. Penney Store at New Bern Mall get a Fraser fir, freshly cut from the mountains of North Carolina. The proceeds, in turn, go into the club’s general treasury to support a variety of area charities.

The 2009 tree-buying season started early Friday with a good turnout, many showing up before the 10 a.m. opening.

“It’s been going like gangbusters,” said Bob Donnelly, the tree sales manager.

By mid-afternoon, more than 50 of the 500 available trees had been picked out and taken home by customers.

“It’s been very good, very encouraging,” Donnelly said. “The trees are extremely nice, as fresh as they can be.”

He credited Buddy and Brenda Nelson of the Sparta-based Nelson Tree Farm with providing their coastal customers with another fine crop.

“They just always make sure we get the best trees,” he said.

Jack Bircher, who owns a touring site, Day at the Farm, in Cove City, has been a customer for years.

“They have the best trees, the best location and the help can’t be beat,” he said. “And it goes to good causes.”

He was the first customer on the lot Friday.

“We Cove City farmers get up early to get our trees,” he laughed.

The trees are available until they are all gone, usually a few weeks into December. The lot will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Donnelly said prices remained unchanged this year. The trees are priced at $40, $50 and $60 depending on size, and range in height from under 6 feet to more than 9 feet. The wreaths are priced at $25 each or $20 with the purchase of a tree.

Civitan club volunteers will limb and load the trees and give customers printed instructions on how to care for their tree. The Fraser fir, which is native to North Carolina, is considered the most popular Christmas tree species.

Donnelly said the trees are pyramidal, compact and densely foliated with half-inch needles that are dark green on top and silvery on the bottom. They emit a pleasant scent and have excellent needle retention when properly maintained indoors.

Visitors can also send a Christmas treat to military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan with the purchase of a can of peanuts for $10. The Civitans will ship the nuts overseas. Customers are invited to include a note with their name and address to be included with the package.

The club shipped 1,900 cans last year.

The tree and wreath sale is one of many fundraising projects undertaken by the Civitans.

Last year, the club raised and distributed more than $50,000 to various organizations. Recipients include Craven County Special Olympics, MERCI Clinic, Phoenix House, Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Craven County Association of Retarded Citizens, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Religious Community Services, Habitat for Humanity, Foster Parents, and The Salvation Army. The club also funds scholarship programs at Craven Community College and New Bern High School.

Civitan membership is open to anyone who is at least 18 years of age and of good moral character. The New Bern Civitans meet Fridays at noon at the Golden Corral on Dr. M.L. King Jr. Boulevard.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or chall@freedomenc.com.