By JENNIKA INGRAM | Reporter
For many community members, picking out the perfect Christmas tree is an annual tradition—and the YMCA Christmas Tree Lot is now open for business, with a plethora of options.
“The YMCA tree lot is where everyone in the Palisades gets their trees, we hope, because it’s an amazing cause and we have amazing trees,” said Jim Kirtley, executive director of Palisades-Malibu YMCA, to the Palisadian-Post.
The lot showcases a collection of trees, from table-top size to 15-foot, this year featuring three types of Nobles: Nordmann Fir, Vintages and Standard.
“The money stays in the Palisades,” Kirtley said. “The proceeds from the tree lot go to help fund the YMCA and allows us to do our programs. Many people don’t know that the YMCA is a nonprofit.”
This season the tree lot will also host a series of partnership events. The annual Holiday Glass Sale will take place on Sunday, December 8, from 10 a.m. to 8 pm.
Then on December 15, the 61st Annual Ho! Ho! Ho! will run alongside the YMCA Christmas Tree Lot for the first time from 12 to 4 p.m. to drive donations to Painted Turtle, a free camp for kids with special needs.
“With the help of local organizations, businesses and neighbors, the festival has been reimagined as a completely non-commercial celebration of our community, kids and connections to one another,” community member Lou Kamer wrote to the Post.
Santa will arrive via an LAFD Station 69 fire truck and be on hand for photo opportunities.
There will be hot chocolate, a bake sale and a menorah lighting.
The tree lot is located at Simon Meadow Field at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon Road.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., until the trees sell out.
