I’d like to tell you that during my evening of volunteering at the tree and wreath sale at The Place, we sold so many trees I couldn’t keep track. I’d like to say we were frantically searching for tree farms that had trees still available so we could replenish our stock. I’d like to tell you that, but that’s not exactly how our evening went.
On Tuesday night, I spent a few hours volunteering with Ellen Coughlin and Jim Butterfield at The Place’s tree sale. In all honesty, it was a pretty simple night with only a few sales, but there is still plenty of time for people to purchase one of the trees the organization has to offer.
For several years, the place has been selling Christmas trees and wreaths in the parking lot at their location behind the Norwich Post Office. The tree sales benefit the children’s program at the organization, including the After School Program and Big Brothers / Big Sisters.
I quickly picked up on what work for the evening would entail. When customers came to the tree lot, I would hold a tree upright for their inspection, and then put it back. (I know from experience that this can be a lengthy process.) You have to be precise when picking out the perfect tree.
Once the perfect tree was found, we would take the customer’s money and send them on their way. All in all, it was a fairly easy task, especially since I was able to drink hot chocolate and chat with Jim and Ellen during the slower periods.
While there weren’t a ton of customers on Tuesday night, staff at The Place assured me that many people came out last weekend and many more would make their way in this weekend, for both the tree sale and the open house. Saturday’s event will open the facility to the public and allow them the chance to walk through. There will also be a lot of fun activities for the family, including rides on a horse pulled cart.
The open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Trees and wreaths can be purchase seven days a week. For more information, contact The Place at 336-9696.