With Christmas approaching quickly, the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland is gearing up for their biggest fundraiser of the year.
Since 1971, the club has sold Christmas trees, Wreaths, Gourmet Nuts and Delicious Delights with all funds going to support the children of the Kirkland community. The tree lot is located in the parking lot of Juanita Beach Park. It opens Nov. 24 (the day after Thanksgiving) and will remain open until all the trees are sold. According to Kiwanis, things sold out early last year, so they recommend not to wait too long.
Kiwanis is a service organization that works to improve our community and to teach leadership skills to youth. Kiwanis International raises money to provide help to children all around the world, whereas the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland focuses on local needs, providing support and resources to help children and young people in Greater Kirkland.
This annual Christmas tree lot is Kiwanis’ biggest fundraiser each year. The day after Thanksgiving, they begin selling fresh Noble Firs, tree stands, fresh wreaths, garlands and Gourmet nuts.
The tree lot is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The money made from the tree lot, will fund Kiwanis’ leadership service clubs and donate to the Kirkland Kiwanis Foundation.
Between the Club and the Foundation, they were able to give over $63,000 last year to children and families in need.
All of the net proceeds go to programs designed to assist children and families that need help in the community. They include: Attain Housing, Key Club leadership conventions, Student Scholarships, Special Olympics, What’s Next Bowlers, Scouting, Kiwanis Camp Casey, Eastside Baby Corner, Kirkland Easter Egg Hunt, Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) and Youth Institute Programs, Boys and Girls Club and others.
In past years, funds also benefited the Eliminate Project, a joint effort between Kiwanis and UNICEF, whose goal was to eliminate neonatal tetanus that kills so many tiny newborns around the world. As of this year, Kiwanis International has reached its goal of $110 million dollars.
Kiwanis International started in 1915 and now has 7,800 clubs in 80 countries. The motto for Kiwanis is “Serving the Children of the World”. Each club approaches that vision in their own unique way.
For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland, visit their website at kirkland.kiwanis.org or call the club secretary, Tom Pendergrass at (425) 821-1157, or by email at twpdnde@gmail.com. They meet every Wednesday at noon in The Market Street Café in Kirkland.
