New Pointe Community Church selling discounted Christmas trees
COSHOCTON – A few years ago, James Rose had a Christmas tree lot for two years when he was a youth pastor at the Coshocton Nazarene Church. This year, Rose is bringing back the tradition at the artPARK with New Pointe Community Church.
The Salvation Army and Rural King are sponsoring the tree lot this year.
“The goal behind it is to have vouchers distributed throughout Job and Family Services and the Salvation Army and those families can bring those vouchers to the tree lot to receive free trees,” said Rose.
Rose is selling the Christmas trees as well for $25 for any size and shape. Any profits go toward the cost of the trees that are given out to those with vouchers and also the Salvation Army to help supply coats, hats, and gloves to families in need. Rural King supplied the trees at a discount price.
“Basically, I love Christmas,” said Rose. “I know there are families in need that don’t have the means to get Christmas gifts or something as simple as getting a tree. Sometimes, we take that for granted. There are organizations that provide gifts to families in need, but not Christmas trees. You’ve got the gifts, but nothing to put it under. So a few years back, I came up with the idea to supply a little extra Christmas spirit by supplying that basic need at Christmas.”
This isn’t something that is only happening in Coshocton. Rose was able to find an organization called Christmas Trees Santa that give out trees during the holiday throughout the United States.
Rose is so passionate about the Christmas tree lot that he created a slogan: Warming the heart of those in need with the gift of a Christmas tree.
“I remember when I was doing this a few years ago, I had a mother come to the Christmas tree lot who had never had a tree before,” said Rose. “She asked me which trees were the free ones, thinking that she could only have some second-hand tree, and when I told her she could pick any tree in the lot, those little kids’ faces lit up and they started running around the tree lot yelling, ‘Mommy I want this one, Mommy, I want this one.’ Just that look of excitement and just to know we were able to supply a little bit of that joy for that family.”
The Christmas tree lot is open every Friday from 4 – 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. in the artPARK. There is also free hot chocolate and candy canes available.
Category: Faith
