For Alex Gramling the Christmas season starts early: his Newburyport-based nonprofit, Christmas Tree Santas, aims to deliver 1,000+ donated trees to families in need. Scroll down to find out how you can help!
Newburyport Macaroni Kid: This time of year there are so many donation drives for the essentials - nonperishable food, winter coats, toiletries, etc. What inspired you to focus on Christmas trees for needy families?
Alex Gramling: At about this time seven years ago I was cleaning out my basement, trying to make some extra room in my house, and part of the clutter was an artificial Christmas tree. Honestly, it was trash to me - I wanted to get rid of it but didn't want to put it in a landfill. So I listed it on FreeCycle.org, and I was really surprised by two things: first, the sheer number of responses I received and second, how many of those responses included very heartfelt stories about what the tree would mean to that family.
In the end I chose a woman who lived nearby and could pick up the tree that day. She was a single mom and she brought her two young boys along. I could see the joy on the boys' faces as we loaded the tree into her car. The mom was very emotional and grateful. Talking to her in the driveway I realized this wasn't just a thrifty family but a struggling family. My tree was going to be the centerpiece of their holiday celebration. Truthfully, I hadn't really thought about a Christmas tree and its importance in the family until that moment.
It occurred to me that this mother and her sons were just tip of the iceberg. There were hundreds of families who couldn't afford a tree in my community. My hope was that there was some agency or organization or tree farm that was meeting this need but there wasn't. I took this on as my challenge and that was the inspiration for the organization. I saw this as a need where I could make a real impact.
Macaroni Kid: Where did you even begin? What were your first steps?
Alex: There is an incredible amount of infrastructure and organization involved and it was all uncharted territory. I understood that this was something I wanted to do and felt like I could do it but had no idea what it would take to start a charity, find the Christmas trees, and identify the families in need. Those were the main challenges for the first year. Two incredible friends, who also happen to be my business partners, said "Let's do this," so we set up a board and established a 501c3 nonprofit organization with one simple mission: to spread hope and joy by giving Christmas trees to needy families.
It's pretty straightforward, really. We buy fresh-cut trees from wholesale tree farms, set up a pop-up Christmas tree lot, and invite families to come pick them up. Social service agencies such as Pettengill House, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, and the Amesbury Holiday Program help us identify local families for the giveaway.
Macaroni Kid: Why fresh-cut instead of an artificial tree families can use year after year?
Alex: We felt they were more in keeping with the joy of the season. There's just something about that aroma and the experience of picking out a Christmas tree on a lot and bringing it home to enjoy. We also saw it as a greener idea - the trees can be recycled. Finally, there's the practical reality for these families, many of whom are unsure of their circumstances or are forced to move frequently. Dragging around an artificial tree to own and store might be a challenge for them.
Macaroni Kid: Tell us a little more about your tree giveaway events.
Alex: We try to make them as festive as possible for our families. We bring in hundreds of trees and tree stands, ornaments and lights - pretty much everything they might need. Santa Claus makes an appearance as well. Watching the kids pick out their favorite ornaments from our "craft bags" speaks to the joy of picking out a tree and decorating it and making your own. At our event at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury, the Greater Newburyport Mothers & Families Club brings cider and treats for the families.
The experience of picking out a Christmas tree is something that many of us take for granted. There's such joy in seeing young children come to our location and look at the trees and pick the one that's right for their family. For parents especially there's a real sense of normalcy for their family, to be participating in the holiday season in this way.
So many families have told me that if they do have a tree they often get it off the scrap heap at the end of the season or on Christmas Day. Many of the families we work with have never had a Christmas tree at all. It's so gratifying and exciting to let families enjoy their tree throughout the season. That's why our giveaway events are typically held on the first Saturday of December (this year December 3).
Macaroni Kid: How many trees do you expect to give away this year?
Alex: The amazing thing about this mission is that it grows organically every year. I have volunteers reaching out from other parts of the country saying, "I love what you're doing and I want to do this in my community." This year we have volunteer partners setting up their own tree giveaways in ten U.S. cities across seven states, delivering close to 1,200 Christmas trees - 500 in Massachusetts alone. Locally, there are three sites where we distribute our trees. Also this year we're hosting our first-ever event in Haverhill in partnership with Head Start.
Macaroni Kid: What can we do to help?
Alex: There are so many ways to be a "Santa" during the holiday season. You could buy a Christmas tree for a needy family. The cost to provide one family with a tree and all the trimmings is just $25. (Click here to donate online.) You could also volunteer at a giveaway site, bake cookies to offer our families during an event, or make ornaments with your kids and donate them to us. (Drop off at FRSUU church at 26 Pleasant St. in Newburyport.) It can be a fun way to celebrate with your own children.
Finally, we have this incredibly fun annual fundraiser - a Christmas singalong spectacular at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport. This year's event will take place on Dec. 19 (click here to purchase tickets online).
Macaroni Kid: How do you measure success?
Alex: The amazing thing for me is that six years later we're still true to our mission delivering hope and joy to people who need it. In these times that's more important than ever. It's our great gift to be able to do this and I am so thankful for the support of others in the Newburyport area.
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