After 73 years, the Hilo Y’s Men and Women’s Club of Hilo has passed its traditional Christmas tree sale onto the Island of Hawaii YMCA.
The YMCA is hosting the annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser sale this month.
For the first time, the event will take place in the upper parking lot of the YMCA, located at 300 W. Lanikaula St., instead of at the Ben Franklin Crafts parking lot.
The Y’s Men and Women’s Club, founded in 1938, has for decades raised funds for the YMCA during the event, and many members will still be involved throughout the sale.
Online orders for tree are closed, but there will be about 200 more trees available for purchase for walk-ins starting Friday.
“This fundraiser benefits the YMCA Youth Development Programs, and the funds will go towards scholarships for families with working parents, who can’t afford child care in the summer,” said Martha Rodillas, administrative office manager at the YMCA. “The scholarships are given to our island’s asset-limited, income-constrained, employed, or ALICE, families.”
Various types of fir trees are offered for sale, along along with wreaths, pine cones, garlands and Tree Life nutrients.
Tree heights range from 3 to 10 feet in height, and delivery within 10 miles of the YMCA is available for a small fee.
This year, new items include 20-foot Western Cedar Garlands, Kirk-brand Elf Trees with lights, and Frosty watering funnels.
Orders that were placed online will be available for pickup from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday in the YMCA’s upper parking lot.
Walk-in sales are welcomed beginning at 9 a.m. Friday in the same YMCA lot while supplies last. Those interested can browse the trees from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Friday through Sunday.
If there are still trees after Sunday, the sale will continue from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, through Thursday, Nov. 30.
The YMCA will provide backdrops and photo opportunities with Santa from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Friday and Saturday.
“This is a great fundraiser for us and for the community. People just come by, and they are happy to be there,” Rodillas said. “It kicks off the holiday season with a joyous feeling and environment that reminds so many of Christmas”
Volunteers from the Youth Challenge Academy and the Big Island Substance Abuse Council will be helping throughout the sale.
Any individuals interested in volunteering can reach out to Rodillas at martha.rodillas@islandofhawaiiymca.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.