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School nets $50,000 selling Christmas trees

Hundreds volunteer for Prince of Wales secondary's TREK program

Christmas tree lots have become a powerful fundraising tool for a few Vancouver schools, particularly the one operated by Prince of Wales secondary's 25-yearold TREK program, which earns a $50,000 profit during its three-week run.

This year, student and parent volunteers have 2,100 trees from five different tree species to sell until the lot shuts down Dec. 20.

"We have one of the largest [lots] with one of the best selections," said Antony Blaikie, one of four teachers involved in the outdoor environmental education program.

The most expensive is a 12-foot tree for $157, but the lot gets only a handful and they're already sold out. "Those are the monsters. We get less than a half dozen because so few people have room in their house for them-it's for the people who somehow have 16-foot ceilings," Blaikie said. One 11-foot tree was still available midday Monday, but there are a wide variety of other trees of varying heights for sale. The prices range from the "Charlie Brown special" for $17 to $131.

The business has grown over the years as volunteers realized they were selling out well before Christmas.

"So they started increasing and increasing the numbers of trees. We've reached our maximum of what we have space for and the ability to manage it," explained Blaikie. "The last three years we've completely sold out down to the smallest tree, so hopefully that continues."

A sellout generates about $110,000, but after the trees, fencing and trailer rentals are paid for, the profit sits at between $50,000 and $55,000. It typically buys equipment, transportation and professional guides for the TREK program. This year, the money will pay for sleeping bag replacements and savings for a new school bus estimated to cost $100,000.

The lot runs like a small business with 112 student and 224 parent volunteers. Students work six shifts for a total of 18 hours, while parents work two shifts for a total of six hours. Students are kept up to date about expenses and income.

"We have started to view the program as part of their curriculum, not just as something that allows us to do curriculum. They're working in small teams, so they get to know each other really well. They have to talk to strangers, so they get a really good wakeup call about being able to converse with and approach a stranger. They have to work pretty hard. They're hauling trees around non-stop," Blaikie explained.

Maya Airey-Lee, a 15-yearold Grade 10 student, said it can get cold and busy on the lot, but it's otherwise fun.

"It's just all around a really good time," she said. "It's a sense of accomplishment- I never really did volunteer hours before [TREK] so in actually doing it you realize you have such a large community that you never realized you had before. And it's like a mini business. You feel independent and really accomplished by the end of it."

Kitsilano secondary parents and students also run a Christmas tree lot, which generates about $28,000 for athletic teams.

Lord Byng secondary has operated a tree lot for 38 years. Profits go to its athletic, physical education and science departments, and to scholarships. Check school websites for hours and other information.

noconnor@vancourier.com

Twitter: @Naoibh