Thank you for buying Christmas trees

On behalf of the Exchange Club of New Canaan, we want to thank the entire New Canaan community and nearby towns for buying Christmas trees and wreaths from our annual fundraiser at Kiwanis Park.  The incredible support we had made our fundraising an incredible success this year as it has for over fifty years.  We had some trepidation given the COVID issues we are all facing and we were concerned that this year could be lean.  We were wrong and it looks like we netted close to $140,000 (a record) this year which will go 100% to local not-for-profit and community organizations.  We sold over 1,300 trees and close to 1,900 wreathes in addition to assorted lights, tree stands, and roping.

It seems those coming to the Lot were eager to have some Christmas joy and do so earlier than usual.  We sold out close to 9 days earlier than we had planned.  We operated under a COVID protocol that was approved by the New Canaan Health Department with masks and social distancing being observed even though we were outside.  And even more gratifying is that those coming to the Lot observed the protocol.  Only a few individuals forget their masks but when we offered one, they quickly accepted and masked up.

We could have not been successful without the help of many organizations and our dedicated member volunteers.  Special thanks go to the Service League of Boys, Pivot Ministries, New Canaan Recreation Department, First Selectman (and Exchange Club Member) Kevin Moynihan, and our neighbor and friend, Betty Lovastik.

Our Grants and Donations process begins in April.  We have supported more than 35 local organizations in addition to our largest recipient, the Exchange Club Parenting Skills  Center in Stamford, whose primary mission is the prevention of child abuse.  We are thankful for the support we received this year particularly when we know community needs are so great.  Many thanks for helping us help others.

For more details on who we support, make a donation, or how to become a member, please visit our website at www.newcanaanexchangeclub.com.

John Fulkerson

President-Elect of the New Canaan Exchange Club

Tree Lot Manager 2020