Holiday trees and lights are already going up at Tri-City homes and businesses.
But for those who don’t have yet have a festive evergreen in their front rooms, a charity helping young moms and their children is now selling live trees in Coquitlam.
The Aunt Leah’s Trees fundraiser has returned to the parking lot at Eagle Ridge United Church (2813 Glen Dr.) by Gleneagle Secondary for another year to offer Douglas, Grand, Fraser, Nordmann and Noble firs, and Alberta Spruce potted trees.
The prices vary depending on the tree type and size: A seven foot tall tree costs between $19 and $155. As well, the nonprofit is also selling holiday wreaths and loose greenery.
Until Dec. 20, 2024 — or when supplies run out — the Coquitlam site will be open:
- Sundays
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Mondays
- Closed
- Tuesdays to Fridays
- 1 to 8 p.m.
- Saturdays
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Run by volunteers, Aunt Leah’s Trees is calling on the community for more help in the afternoons of Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10. To sign up, you can visit the organization’s website.
In a news release, Aunt Leah’s executive director Sarah Stewart said the organization helped 432 young people last year.
Its aim is to decrease the number of children taken into foster care by providing supports to young moms at risk of losing custody of their kids, and to equip youth leaving foster care with skills to avoid homelessness and poverty.
Stewart said the cost-of-living and housing crisis are putting more pressure on young people.
Aunt Leah’s owns and manages three homes for women and their children in Metro Vancouver. It also offers support services in two additional homes and six rental suites.
In 2023, it found or provided a home to 136 youth, including 12 young mothers and their children.
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