Church aims to aid kids through Christmas tree sale

Like so many other items facing inflation cost hikes, the traditional Christmas tree is not immune. Recent reports state that holiday buyers should expect to pay between 10% and 30% more this year for both live trees and artificial trees and may have a smaller selection.

But here in Palatka, beginning Friday, 100% of the cost of each tree sold during Buy a Tree Change a Life goes toward a charity for kids.

Half is put toward overseas orphanages and learning centers, while the other half raised goes toward local efforts to aid children, including Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, A Women’s Resource Center and Young Life Putnam County, according to Steve Burkowske, pastor of Open Door Church of God, which is hosting the event.

“This will be our 11th year,” said Burkowske as he stood among the trees ready for Friday’s opening day. “Last year, we had 150 trees and we sold them all. We raised a little over $12,000 last year (for charities).”

The tree sale site at Open Door Church of God, 3704 Crill Ave. in Palatka, begins at noon and runs until 6 p.m. “Tabletop” sized trees start at $50 and prices range up to the 10- to 11-inch size which Burkowske says are $200.

Poinsettia plants are also for sale for $5 each and even the chopped branches from the base of the trees get turned into wreaths to be sold for children’s causes, said the pastor.

Burkowske said the tree-sale site is expected to remain until they’ve sold all their inventory. And on Dec. 3, from noon to 3 p.m., the church expects a visit from “Santa and Mrs. Clause.”

The pastor said the event is about more than just selling trees.

“Some folks drive up and they just give money. They didn’t even get a tree,” Burkowske said. “Then we’d have some people that were buying trees and say, ‘Here, donate a tree for somebody that can’t afford it.’ That’s the kind of thing we want to see happen.”

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly spelled Pastor Steve Burkowske's name.