The Optimists have been selling Christmas trees in Centerville for more than 40 years, and the money generated helps fund numerous local events, awards and scholarships, and organizations.
Last year, Bevis said, the club donated more than $50,000 to community groups, such as Children’s Medical Center, Centerville school events, Boy Scouts, libraries, cheerleaders, scholarships, Tri-star basketball and soccer, and much more.
It is the largest Optimist club in Ohio, Bevis said, and is in the top five nationally in size.
Although their club is smaller, with 62 members compared to the Optimists’ 235, the Kiwanis also fund multiple community efforts. The Kiwanis also funnel all their tree sales proceeds to the community.
“We try to spread it around a bit,” said Kiwanis Treasurer Dick Reisner, who noted that the club donated $25,000 to the Oak Creek South Skate Park, area playground equipment, school clubs, essay contests and more.
Both the Optimists and Kiwanis have a variety of trees, including Frazier and Douglas fir trees, as well as Scotch and white pines, at a variety of price points.
The Optimists have the bigger lot, and started the season with more than 1,000 trees.
“We have $19 and $29 trees, but most are $69 and $79,” Bevis said, adding that they deliver for $8 to anywhere within reason. “We also have 12- to 14-foot trees that cost like $250.”
Reisner, who noted the Kiwanis Club has been selling trees for more than 50 years, said the club has “table top” trees that start at $16, up to 10-foot trees for $105 to $110.
Bevis noted that the week before Christmas, the Optimist’s lot offers the remaining trees for free.
“Normally, we have 20 trees or so,” Bevis said. “We leave them there and say, ‘If you need a tree, take a tree.’ ”
He said if those who pick up trees have any money to donate, they can slip it through the provided slot.
The Optimist lot is on J.P. Kalaman Way next to Beef O’Brady’s, behind the Centerville Government Center.
Christmas tree lot hours are noon through 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, call (937) 640-2357.
The Kiwanis lot is at Oak Creek South Park, Ohio 725 and Paragon Road. The hours are noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, call (937) 439-1649.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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