If you are buying a live tree this Christmas, why not support a good cause while you're at it?
Aunt Leah's Place turned to selling Christmas trees in the 1990s, when government funding was cut. The organization helps aboriginal teen moms and foster kids with housing so they don't end up on the streets. Every year, the non-profit group sets up charity tree lots, where 100 per cent of proceeds from Christmas tree sales go to housing and programs for young moms.
Gale Stewart, executive director of Aunt Leah's, characterized the annual sale as a viable social enterprise, but the organization still struggles to meet the needs of vulnerable young women.
"In the last two months, we have received seven desperate calls from moms begging for housing. One young mom is four months pregnant and has been living under one of Vancouver's bridges," Stewart said.
Last year, lots in Burnaby and Vancouver sold more than $130,000 in trees. This year, Aunt Leah's is opening new lots in Coquitlam and North Vancouver while launching an online ordering option at auntleahsplace. gostorego.com.
"Without a supportive home to go to, these moms - many of whom were foster kids themselves - would be homeless and lose their babies to the foster care system," said Stewart.
The Burnaby tree lot is at All Saints Anglican Church, at 7405 Royal Oak Ave. (by Rumble Street). The lot is open Monday to Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For more on Aunt Leah's, including the lot locations in other cities, go to www.auntleahs.org.
