By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Westborough – The Westborough Civic Club regularly contributes toward specific causes, in addition to donating annually to about 35 nonprofit organizations. That mission will continue with funds raised by the 39th annual Christmas Tree Sale at the former Tufts Machine lot at 53 E. Main St.
The first of two deliveries of Canadian balsams from Nova Scotia arrived Nov. 29. Among that day’s volunteers was Adam Boyce, president.
“All the money raised stays local, so you can see where it goes and you can actually see it making a difference,” he said.
The club’s Facebook page updates the public on “your tree sales at work.” Last year’s tree sale paid for the club’s many sponsorships including: a team in the Trivia Bee to benefit the Westborough Educational Foundation; the inaugural Turkey Trot to support district-wide technology initiatives; Thanksgiving dinner for residents who otherwise might not have a traditional meal; and “Screen on the Green,” a free movie screening at Bay State Green.
New this year, the club supported Westborough High School (WHS) soccer players with a donation to attend a summer camp.
Five scholarships were awarded to WHS graduates this year. For the first time, a scholarship was also awarded to a Westborough graduate from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough.
To ensure another successful year, the tree sale was promoted in advance, Boyce noted.
“Even though this is our 39th season, there are always new people in town who might not know who we are and what we do,” he said.
Lawn signs advertising the tree sale are displayed around town. Also, the message is shown on Route 9 electronic billboards. The club is grateful to member Gerry Knall Jr. for his graphic design and to Steve Hart, vice president, for handling publicity.
Hart noted, “We really had to get the word out there because we’ve got only 26 days to sell 1,500 trees.”
Also available are 500 wreaths and garlands.
Helping with the first delivery was the WHS hockey team. Members of the Shrewsbury-Westborough Boy Scout Troop 4 fastened tags to the trees. The WHS football team will assist with the next delivery.
This fundraiser is also an opportunity to meet members and consider joining the club, Hart added.
“Now, we’re raising money; but during the rest of the year we’re donating money to other organizations,” he said.
Club meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the Grille Restaurant in the Westborough Country Club. For membership information, email [email protected].
Tree sale hours are weekdays 1 to 9 p.m., and weekends 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Santa Claus greets shoppers weekend days. Sales will continue until everything is sold, up to Wednesday, Dec. 24.
For more information, visit westborocivicclub.com and facebook.com/westboroughcivicclub.