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Not Easy Staying Green

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By SUSAN M. GREEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 22, 2007

RUSKIN - At least they're not going to lose money, but members of the South Hillsborough Lions Club are hoping more people will pick up a tree this weekend before Santa shows up looking for a place to stack the presents.

As of a week ago, the club had made $13,000, enough to pay the bills to stock the Christmas tree tent that has operated in Ruskin for 30 years.

"From now on, it's all profit," said club president Bob Bradford.

Sales of Fraser firs for the Christmas season have long been the biggest fundraiser for the nonprofit organization. Sometimes the club makes more than $10,000 for local charities and services for the blind, said Judy Baker, the group's first vice president. Last year, tree sales raised $8,000.

"This year is not going to be great," she said.

Unseasonably warm weather doesn't put people in the tree-shopping spirit, club members said. Also, they added, more people are taking home Tannenbaum in a box.

"You can have a pretty, green tree that looks so real and it doesn't drop anything," said Vera Sickels, the club's second vice president.

Still, the aroma of a real tree from wintry climes is tough to duplicate.

The club gets its trees, ranging in height from 4 feet to 12 feet, from North Carolina. Baker said Fraser firs are the tree of choice because they hold up well in the Florida heat and feel soft to the touch.

Members water the trees regularly and keep them shaded in two large blue-and-yellow striped tents. They have kept tree prices the same for four years, despite shelling out more for the merchandise because of increased shipping costs attributed to the rise in gas prices.

Prices range from $30 to $125. The best seller is the $55 tree that stands 6 feet to 7 feet tall.

The club has its faithful customers.

"Some people have been coming here every year since the stand has been here," Bradford said. "They know all the money goes to charity."

Proceeds benefit the Palmetto-based Southeastern Guide Dog program, the Mary & Martha House in Ruskin and two local church pantries.

"We do try to keep a lot of it local because we're a local chapter," Baker said.

The club's membership has dwindled over the years to about 14, Bradford said. Two Canadian members who normally work the Christmas tree tent were unable to travel into the United States this season because they were caught unaware of new visa requirements, he said.

Baker said the club welcomes nonmember volunteers to work at the tent, as well as people interested in joining the organization.

For information, call Bradford at (813) 610-6494.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: South Hillsborough Lions Club Christmas tree tent

WHERE: Sweetbay Supermarket shopping center, 1023 Tamiami Trail N., Ruskin
HOURS: Noon-8 p.m.

INFORMATION: (813) 610-6494

Reporter Susan M. Green can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or sgreen@tampatrib.com.

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