Posted by Communications Liaison Ellie Simpson, thanks to Archivist Jon Coss.
It all started in 1958. The Couples Club (previously known as the Young Married Couples) began a Christmas tree fundraiser, held on the first Saturday in December. The first fundraiser sold 325 trees and netted $415 (a lot in those days). Co-presidents and leaders of the first tree sale were Harkness and Mary Louise Cram, brother and sister-in-law of Carolyn Cram and Betty Cram Bucher.
“Hark” and Mary Louise Cram. Huguenot kids on an unseasonably warm day.
In 1970, twenty trees were stolen from the church, so a watchman and his German shepherd were hired to guard the trees. In recent years the Huguenot youth have prayed, played, eaten pizza, and watched movies in the auditorium, as they rotated shifts to keep an eye on the trees. (A roving police car also helps.) Since then, the trees have remained safely in place for the early morning start of the sale.
Seems like yesterday. Rob, Yvette and Alix Rogers (left). Syd and Dana Thayer.
When the Couples Club disbanded in 1985, the Mission Committee took over. For ten years, Rob and Yvette Rogers ran the tree sale. Syd and Dana Thayer ran the operation for another decade. They were followed by Jon and Jess Yalmokas, and many others. The tree sale would be impossible without the many Huguenot volunteers.
The Fraser firs come from a tree farm in upstate New York. On Friday morning Huguenot volunteers unload trees and wreathes from a trailer-truck. On Saturday people come to the Huguenot Church to buy trees, garlands, and poinsettias. Sylvia Hazlehurst offers handmade Ecuadorean ornaments to benefit the San Vicente de Paul orphanage.
Sylvia Hazlehurst (left) provides ornaments for sale to benefit an Ecuadorean charity. Clare Effiong of Esther’s Aid has woven goods to help finance a Rwandan orphanage.
Former U.N. diplomat Clare Effiong founded Esther’s Aid. She has woven goods for sale to support housing and education at a Rwandan orphanage. The Mission Committee distributes the proceeds to local charities, such as Hope Community Services, Feeding Westchester, and Midnight Run. There’s free coffee, doughnuts, and hot chocolate – and Santa lends his ear to young folks. (Thanks to Chris Ingram!)
Emmy Kelly (future artist) in a wreath. Linda and Jennifer Scopaz (Plummer).
Sources:
HMC Archives. Mission Committee Files. Photo Collection.
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