The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland Christmas (KCK) tree lot has been the place to be this year. Not only are the KCK volunteers selling trees, See’s Candies, wreaths and gourmet nuts, but the “kids of Kirkland” of all ages have added to the fun this year and make this a great year so far.

The first to join in the festivities were the Girl Scouts from troop 44035 and their leaders Heidi Millerick, Angie DeHoop and Kimberly Dare. It was unusually cold on Sunday evening Nov. 30,but in spite of that, these little girl scouts were so excited to be doing something to add to the tree lot Christmas spirit by decorating a tree donated by KCK with ornaments they each had made. Then they sang carols for potential tree buyers, passers – by in Juanita Park and local folks who came specifically to hear the caroling. To top off the frosty evening, they offered cocoa, cider and homemade cookies to tree lot patrons.

The following Saturday on Dec. 6, members of the Lake Washington High School varsity football team showed up ready and willing to do whatever was needed to sell trees. They moved trees around the lot like they were match sticks and hoisted them up on car tops with little or no effort.  What a great addition – too bad they couldn’t work every shift.

And in the midst of all of this were the Key Club members from Lake Washington High School, Juanita High School, International Community School and Builders Club members from Kirkland Middle School. They have been volunteering their time and have done every job from greeting tree buyers, to unwrapping and tagging trees. They also help potential buyers find the perfect tree, help with clean up and even to do the “sign dance” at the parking lot entrance directing folks to the lot.

As we begin celebrating the holiday season, it warms our hearts to see so many of our youth offering their help to such a great cause. The KCK thanks all of you for your time and energy and for making the Kiwanis tree lot a huge success for another year.

Bonni Sundberg, Kiwanis Club of Kirkland