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Elks continues tradition, charity work
(by K. Darius Amos - January 02, 2008)
Ever since Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus and friends revived a skimpy pine tree and converted it into a symbol of hope and holiday, the art of selecting and decorating a Christmas tree has become a household tradition for many families.
In Hackensack, members of the B.P.O Elks #658 have combined tradition with charity, using the holidays to bring warmth to families’ homes while supporting causes in and around the city. The organization’s annual Christmas tree sale has become a staple at the Linden Street headquarters and a yearly trip for the Hackensack family.
“We’ve been doing this since 1991. We have a lot of repeat customers,” said Elks member Larry Fay Sr., who braved last Saturday’s frigid temperatures to man the sale.
The Elks’ tree sale will remain open until Christmas Eve or when the final tree is wheeled from the rear parking lot.
Not much differs from the trees sold by the Elks or those on sale by other vendors, including super hardware stores. The difference, Fay said, is the person selling the tree.
“At those big stores, they’ll try to sell you everything. They’re not worried about the service,” Fay said.
“Here, we take care of the customers.”
Last Saturday, Fay, along with Elks member Tom McLaughlin helped dozens of customers before the inclement weather pounded the area. They never rush a sale and show visitors any tree they ask to see.
Hackensack resident Theresa Whitaker inspected two trees early Saturday morning and asked for advice. Fay said both were equally healthy but picked a third tree from the racks and opened its branches.
“How about this one?” he asked Whitaker while brushing any loose needles from the branches.
“It’s better that [the needles] drop here than in your house.”
Whitaker, who has selected her tree from the Elks’ sale for years, finally made her choice and graciously paid.
“The best thing is that the money all goes to charity,” said Whitaker.
Through its Christmas tree sale and other events and programs throughout the year, the BPO Elks raises money for various causes and charities. Any money raised during events, including the tree sale, help Hackensack and other area children.
“We donate to drug awareness programs, handicapped kids, support a scholarship, and other charitable funds,” Fay said. “We even donate to veterans and help Camp Moore in North Jersey.”
The B.P.O. #658 Elks Christmas tree sale is located at the Elks until Christmas Eve. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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