Raising fir to raise funds

It might have appeared to some that a small forest had grown overnight in the lawn across from RNB State Bank in Saratoga the day after Thanksgiving. In the place of snow covered grass, a number of evergreen trees now draw the eye as one drives down 1st Street. For the second year in a row, Scott and Michelle McIlvaine are selling Christmas trees to raise money for American Legion Post 54.

Last year, the McIlvaine's were set up in the park next to Lollypop's. Due to the removal of the boardwalk earlier in the year, however, the entrepreneurs erected their temporary Christmas forest at the new location. Scott McIlvaine said he misses people being able to walk along Bridge Avenue and find them, but that setting up along the highway as proved beneficial as well.

Those who bought trees from the McIlvaine's last year will notice a variance in what they offer. The number of trees has been reduced, mainly due to droughts in Oregon, hurricanes in the Carolinas and flooding in Missouri. Due to that, what is on offer has increased. Along with tall Christmas trees, the McIlvaine's are offering additional wreaths as well as real and artificial tabletop trees.

Aiding the McIlvaine's this year are J.T. Perue and Joe Bright, helping customers with a laugh and a smile. Despite decreased number of trees from last year, Scott and Michelle McIlvaine are hoping that they can raise as much as they did last year.

With tree sales last year, they were able to raise $1,200 and donated $800 of their own money for a total of $2,000 to go towards Tyler Pickett Park.

Those looking to purchase trees from Scott and Michelle McIlvaine can swing by between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the weekend. In addition, Santa Claus is scheduled to pay a visit to the temporary evergreen forest at 11 a.m. on Dec. 7.