Christmas trees sold to benefit ALS research
Two December days a year, activity at the Douglass family farm in Fairhaven could be compared to Santa’s workshop or perhaps a scene from Dr. Seuss.
Big trees, little trees, green trees and blue, strapped on cars and trucks of all shapes and sizes, steadily make their way up Sconticut Neck Road, while their treeless counterparts stream down the same road.
The rate of trees leaving the property is so fast it has been calculated at approximately one every minute and a half, according to Dick Douglass, family patriarch and official tree planter.
With one road in and one road out, at least the tree farm is easy to find.
“Friends have told us we know we’re on the right road, because we see nothing but trees coming up,” Douglass said.
The two-day event, which brings family, friends and much of the community together for a good cause, is now in its eighth year and will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 5-6.
The sale includes balsam fir, white spruce and some Austrian pine, as well as the return of potted emerald green arborvitaes. Trees are $40 each, and the arborvitae, each about 2-4 feet tall, are $20 each or three for $50. On Saturday, folks can visit with Santa, who will make an appearance.
Douglass and his wife, Vivian, sell the Christmas trees to benefit ALS research, a fatal neurodegenerative affliction commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. To date, the family has raised more than $130,000 for the search for a cure.
Douglass said he started the farm as a hobby, always expecting to use the income to donate to charities. “We had no idea what the charity would be; we were thinking scholarships or the Millicent Library, things like that,” he said.
But when his son was diagnosed with ALS, the family went looking for the best way to help. They chose ALS Therapy Development Institute, a research-based organization dedicated to developing treatments for ALS patients who are alive today.
Douglass said he plants about 1,000 trees a year to try to keep up with sales that have been running at more than 300 trees almost every year. The plantings will gradually decrease, he said, as he runs out of land to plant on.
Volunteers at the event will help families get the trees onto vehicles, although the Douglass’ recommend bringing a friend with a truck or at least cleaning out the car trunk.
And, while there’s plenty of people available to help cut your tree, those interested in picking up new tree-sawing skills, will find only encouragement.
“We’re more than happy to give tutorials,” Douglass said. “And you don’t even have to bring your own saw; we’ll loan one to you.”
View the article by Beth Perdue on Southcoasttoday.com: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091123/NEWS/911230331/-1/NEWSMAP
