By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

The 24th annual St. Rafael’s Christmas Tree Charity Sale will open to the community on Black Friday and run until all of the Fraser firs are sold out.

Renaissance Committee President Oscar Gamble said the same small tent that was used for the initial Fall Festival was also used for the beginning years of the Christmas tree sales. They used to dig trenches in the dirt and then line them with plastic before putting the bottom of the trees in them, which would hold the water for the bases.

Now, they have a much better system that keeps the trunks of the trees well hydrated before they are sold.

All of the proceeds made during the sale goes towards the Diocese of Catholic Charity. Gamble said there is a whole list of things that the Catholic Charity covers.

“Every bit of that is charity; so neat to see that every year,” he said. “It’s a great way to get involved and help people out and do charity.”

The same farm from the mountains of North Carolina has been used year after year for the Christmas tree sale. Gamble said the trees are really thick and lush.

“We get really good trees. We have so many repeat customers over the years. Many of the same people coming in,” Gamble said. “People are really happy with the trees they get.”

The sale begins on Black Friday, Nov. 23, and runs until they trees are sold, he said, which typically takes about three and half weeks. The sale is held from 1 to 9 p.m. during the week and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The tree sizes vary from little table top – 2-3 feet – to 10 to 11 feet tall.

The table top trees are a huge hit for those who do not want to put up a big tree, but still want to have the pine smell in their home.

“When it comes to the Christmas trees it is more about the charity. It’s a chance to give back,” he said. “We have a lot of people that come and a lot of volunteers that help. That particular program is really rewarding for us.”

St. Rafael Catholic Church is at 2514 Lee Blvd.