Your old Christmas tree might have one more gift left in it.
As a fundraiser, Girl Scouts troops from Sonoma and Glen Ellen are again recycling Christmas trees this year. Trees will be collected for the next two weekends: January 2 and 3, and January 9 and 10.
Scout teams will pick up Christmas trees in all Sonoma and Glen Ellen neighborhoods until 5 p.m. To participate, make sure to have the tree on the curb by 10:00 a.m. and leave a donation ($5 suggested for trees under 6 feet, $10 for trees over 6 feet) under the doormat.
“It really varies how much money we make,” said Heidi Dwyer, leader of troop 10332. “But it does raise quite a bit more than cookie sales.”
The money goes primarily to the Girl Scout Wider Opportunities program, which allows girls to travel to places they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to visit. “It can be a camp in California, or a trip to China,” Dwyer explained. “We have troops that have been to Italy, Mexico, Switzerland and other foreign countries. We have one that’s saving up to go to Japan.”
Dwyer said her most memorable trip was to Savannah, GA, where the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Low, was born. “We learned not only about the city and its history, but about the origin of the Girl Scout organization.
“It made being a Girl Scout all that much more meaningful to the girls. I’m sure they’ll carry the memory of that trip around with them fondly for the rest of their lives.”
Dwyer has been a troop leader for 13 years, since the girls were in Kindergarten. “Now they’re in their last year of high school and Girl Scouts. It’s been an amazing experience!”
For the recycling effort, trees should be free of all stands, flocking and tinsel. Take it out to the curb, Dwyer said, “and the Girl Scouts will be there to load it up and haul it off to the recycle bin. It helps people dispose of their Christmas trees in a way that’s environmentally friendly.”
The trees are eventually composted.
Checks should be made out to Girl Scouts. A tax-deductible receipt will be given.
It is not necessary to call ahead for a tree pick-up. For more information, call 576-6005.
