Boys & Girls Clubs’ Christmas Tree Lot Might Run Out Of Trees

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County saw record sales during the opening weekend of its annual Christmas tree lot, said Dawn Stanhope, president and CEO. The lot opened over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend on Friday.

“At this pace, we could potentially sell out this coming weekend – which would be fantastic news for our clubs (but maybe not so fantastic for families that were hoping to get their trees from us and waited too long,)” she wrote in an email.

The Boys & Girls Clubs has operated its Christmas tree lot for 66 years – since 1954 - and is considered a holiday tradition in Manatee County. The lot is operating at the Westgate Shopping Center located at 3913 Manatee Ave. West in Bradenton. Through Dec. 19 – or while supplies last - the lot will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.

“We have had such wonderful support from our community on this fundraiser each year,” Stanhope wrote. “Some families have been coming for generations to buy their tree at the Boys & Girls Club lot.”

It’s also one of the organization’s largest annual fundraisers, she added. “At a time when events have had to be canceled or postponed until further notice, this event has been a godsend for continuing to provide needed programs and services to area families at no cost through the end of December.”

The nonprofit’s staff and volunteers have been working overtime since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. “Our doors have been open extended hours since April in order to respond to (the) needs for children of emergency response teams and healthcare workers early on, and now hosting teen e-learners, so they can stay on track academically until they return to school.”

All funds raised through the Christmas tree lot will benefit the clubs’ programming. Various safety measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus have been put in place this year.

There will be no cash sales this year - only credit and debit cards, and checks will be accepted as payment. The number of visitors allowed on the lot at one time is restricted to 14, and all customers, staff and volunteers will wear face masks.

Learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County Christmas tree lot here or call 941-761-2582 for more information.