Buy A Christmas Tree & Do Good At the Same Time

Don't buy a Christmas tree from just anywhere.

Where you buy your tree can make a difference. That's what the Kiwanis Club says, and it's true.

Christmas tree sales at lots, or tree farms can funnel much-needed funds to schools, Boy Scouts, scholarship programs and more in our communities.

Check out the local organizations here and see how your dollars can serve a dual purpose—get a tree for yourself and let the proceeds support other work in your community or others'. Some tree sale locations make for a nice outing for the family!

Gilroy:

CHS Christmas Tree Lot fundraiser: The Christopher High School track and field team will sell Christmas trees in the back parking lot at CHS,  as a fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 11. They will have Douglas fir, noble fir and Turkish fir trees available. The fundraiser is to help the team with the cost of uniforms, travel and equipment. Free hot chocolate will be available. Details: Jeff. Myers@gusd.k12.ca.us.

Los Altos:

26th Annual Los Altos Kiwanis Tree Lot, Lucky's parking lot, Foothill Expressway and Arboretum Ave., Los Altos, 94024 - Selling Noble Firs, wreaths, garlands and centerpieces. Mon-Fri, 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sat. & Sun, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. As Los Altos Kiwanis says: "It makes a difference where you buy your tree!" Funds help fuel the Kiwanis' multitude of yearly service activities, such as scholarships, the Kiwanis Special Games, and the Pet Parade.

Los Gatos:

Loma Day at Peacock Tree Farm, Dec. 1: 17950 Mountain Charlie Rd., Los Gatos (about one- quarter mile from Hwy 17 and Summit Road). 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fifty percent of proceeds benefit the Loma Prieta Public Education Fund one day only, so make getting your Christmas tree a fun family outing. Free apple cider, hot chocolate and other holiday treats, so brave the weather and get a tree! For  For further information, please contact Lisa Hoffner at 408-353-6465 or see www.peacocktreefarm.com.

Mountain View:

 MVLA Tree Lot, 1035 El Monte Rd., Mountain View - Help supportMountain View-Los Altos Union High School District sports when you buy your tree at the corner of El Camino Real in the former  Blockbuster and CVS parking lot. It has premium-grade noble firs, 3 to 11 feet in size, free bagging and a guarantee for the entire season. You can also direct up to 20 percent of your purchase to any MVLA school or organization. Their hours will be 4-7 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends. You can even order online at mvlatrees.com.

Palo Alto:

Sea Scouts Christmas Tree Lot, at the Little League field at 3672 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, 94303 - offers fresh-cut Christmas trees. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends. 650-493-6614. The lot is its biggest event to raise money to subsidize boat fuel and maintenance costs that keeps their program affordable.

Half Moon Bay

Harbor Village Christmas Tree Farm, 270 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA - The merchants at Harbor Village, Oceano Hotel and other local businesses have partnered up to provide local organizations with the opportunity to raise funds. A donation in the amount of 10 percent will be made on the sale of each Christmas tree when buyers complete a small form at the time of purchase. The top three groups with the highest dollar amount of trees sold by December 18th will receive an additional amount of $150 - first place, $100 - second place, $50 - third place. Open 7 Days Per Week through December 24th, Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 8:30pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 8:30pm; Sunday: 9:00am - 8:30pm Deliveries can be scheduled 7 days per week to all Peninsula locations.

Redwood City

Honey Bear Trees, 955 Woodside Road Redwood City - For 25 years, this beloved business partners with about 45 local schools to donate 15 percent of its proceeds. Each tree purchase comes with a jar of honey, as part of the tradition started by the first owner. HBT offers several different types of firs, such as Noble, Douglas, Fraser and Grand, in sizes that range from two to 16 feet. HBT will deliver a tree to your home, anywhere in the Greater Bay Area, from San Francisco down to San Jose, for a separate fee, and it offers a recycling pick-up for a fee. A second location is in San Carlos.

San Carlos

 Honey Bear Trees, 1579 El Camino Real, San Carlos - For 25 years, this beloved business partners with about 45 local schools to donate 15 percent of its proceeds. Each tree purchase comes with a jar of honey, as part of the tradition started by the first owner. HBT offers several different types of firs, such as Noble, Douglas, Fraser and Grand, in sizes that range from two to 16 feet. HBT will deliver a tree to your home, anywhere in the Greater Bay Area, from San Francisco down to San Jose, for a separate fee, and it offers a recycling pick-up for a fee. A second location is in Redwood City. 

Do you have a favorite no-profit or group that operates a Christmas tree lot or raises money through the sale of trees? Tell us in the comments and we can add them!