“We’ve been really happy that so many folks have come out. A lot of them are family members that chose to come because they knew the proceeds benefit us,” Elder said.
Options include Ohio-grown Frasier Furs, Douglas Firs and Scotch Pines from 4 to 9 feet tall, and at prices from $25 to $75. All of the proceeds benefit the group’s programs, helping clients in Montgomery County find employment and income opportunities as well as affordable housing.
“There are close to 350 to 400 folks staying in the emergency shelters on any given night,” she said, “For us to be able to house 100 of them around the holidays would mean a lot.”
The group is pushing to house 100 around the holiday season, Elder said. The financial support from the fundraiser helps those people “before, during, and after” homelessness with startup items, security deposits and rent. The clients of the charity also work the lot alongside staff and volunteers at the tree lot, Elder said.
“We’re helping them pay their rent, they learn customer service skills and perhaps if they do a good job, they can have some competitive employment this spring,” Elder said.
Clients of the group worked on a micro-farm in the summer and a landscaping program in the fall, and Elder said the sale has also been an opportunity for the group to extend its employment of the clients year-round.
“It would be nice to know that families with have a place of their own before Christmas,” Elder said. “That certainly means a lot to them.”
The sale takes place in the lot of the Berns Garden Center, 3776 Indian Ripple Rd. in Beavercreek, and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays until sellout. A $10 discount coupon is available at the group’s website, homefull.org.
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