Butler Lions’ tree sale benefits the community
Andy Budmark said he recently joined the Butler Lions Club after learning his family bought their Christmas trees from the group as a child.
Budmark, who volunteered at the Christmas tree sale with his son Jayce, said he enjoys helping with the Christmas tree sale, and getting his tree there, because he feels the club consists of good people.
“When I was little, my sixth-grade teacher was a Lion, and I found out that’s where our trees came from,” Budmark said. “I like helping, and I like dealing with the Lions, because they do a lot. It’s crazy how much they do.”
The Butler Lions Club held the first day of its annual Christmas tree sale outside of Trinity Lutheran Church in Center Township Friday, Nov. 28. With Thanksgiving now in the rear view mirror, sub-30 degree temps with strong gusts of wind blowing snow around created a winter wonderland that fit the mood.
“Anything that we make goes directly toward community service, that’s always been the most important to us,” Janet Flecken, a member of the Butler Lions Club, said. “In past years, if it was warmer out, if it was hot, we wouldn’t sell any Christmas trees for another two weeks.
“It’s snowing, it feels closer to Christmas — people are getting them.”
The Butler Lions Club said it is selling around 80 trees — most of them Fraser firs — that had been cut from a farm out near Rural Valley, Armstrong County.
Flecken’s husband, Barry, said proceeds from the Christmas tree sale will go toward a number of causes, including groups assisting those with blindness, and groups like Katie’s Kitchen and the Community Meal Ministry.
“They’ve been selling them since I was a kid. We’ve been here at this spot for a little over 10 years now,” said Barry Flecken. “We’ve always had a lot of recurring customers. It’s nice to have these people supporting this.”
The sale will continue to take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, until all the trees are sold.
“I know it generates a lot for the club, so they’re able to help a lot of people that get help from others,” Pat Fullerton said.
Fullerton, who was buying a tree Friday afternoon, said his father is a member of the Butler Lions Club, and always appreciate how it sold Christmas trees to community members as a way of raising money for charity.
With Christmas in the not-so-distant future, Butler Lions and customers alike expressed holiday cheer and not letting the sudden winter conditions get to them.
“I was hoping for a little more warmth, but we’re out here selling trees, we’re doing it,” Budmark said.
