Christmas trees are coming to town with the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs




The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs will continue its long–standing tradition of selling Christmas trees, wreaths and poinsettias under the tent.

The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs will continue its long–standing tradition of selling Christmas trees, wreaths and poinsettias under the tent.

Holiday bells will ring when the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs opens its Christmas tree sales tent Nov. 24 in the parking lot at Sunshine Ace Plaza – a long-standing tradition over three decades. With gratitude to Wynn Properties for the space and to Light Up Naples for the lighting, Rotarians sell a wide selection of quality trees, poinsettias and tree stands for holiday celebrations.

Nearly half of the trees are sold the first open weekend. Officially opening Friday, Nov. 24 and ending Friday, Dec. 16, open hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Santa Claus arrives via the fire department Friday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. and is in residence until 7 p.m. for the young ones to share their Christmas hopes and dreams and have photographs with Santa Claus.

“The most important part of the tree sale is the benefit to the community,” said Jim Burger, Rotarian and director of the tree sale for the past three years. The sale’s success is evidence of his expertise from a background in retail.

Inside the tent are trees, wreaths and poinsettias for sale.

Inside the tent are trees, wreaths and poinsettias for sale.

“The proceeds go to local charitable organizations in the community and a couple national organizations supported by the Rotary Foundation,” added Burger. This year the emphasis is on rebuilding the community and the needs following Hurricane Ian.

Burger and his sales force of Rotary volunteers, family and friends help customers select their tree, cut the trunk fresh, bail the tree for easy hauling and assist in loading it onto vehicles. For a donation, trees can be delivered although it is a special service available only as time permits.

About 500 trees accompanied by poinsettias, wreaths in three sizes and premium tree stands are available for purchase. Trees are mostly from Michigan with a few very premium trees from Washington. “We may not have the cheapest trees in town, but we sell beautiful trees with many repeat customers,” said Burger. Like all things, Christmas tree sales are experiencing the effects of inflation.

Rotarians, family and friends help out under the tent.

Rotarians, family and friends help out under the tent.

“These premium tree stands will last forever,” he added. “This year we are also trying something new – a tabletop tree about 3 to 4 feet – requested by customers in the past.”

Purchases provide multiple opportunities for holiday cheer: the pungent aroma of a fresh pine evokes memories of Christmases past, the Rotary proceeds are donated to the community needs, and trees may be purchased and donated to those who won’t be able to afford a tree this year.

Hurricane Ian was a devastating blow added to pandemic, inflation and supply chain woes. Providing help to those in need and spreading a little joy is what Rotary is about.

According to Burger, the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs has been meeting at breakfast for nearly four decades and engaging in community service. Rotary Club of Bonita Springs has supported area charities such as Meals of Hope, Bonita Springs Assistance Office, and Café of Life and has provided scholarships to Bonita and Estero High School students and support to Bonita Springs Elementary School.

Bonita Springs Elementary School receives special attention with a toy drive as part of this holiday tree sale. Tree sale customers are asked to bring an unwrapped new toy that will go to Bonita Springs Elementary School.

As part of this holiday partnership, the Bonita Springs Elementary School choir sings carols at the tree sale. Last year the choir sang the same evening that Santa Claus appeared and was so enjoyable that it returns this year by request.

See website bonitaspringsrotary.org or email bonitaspringsrotaryclub@gmail.com for further information.