Y's Men Christmas Trees: Seasonal Sales Benefit Des Moines YMCA

DES MOINES, IA — Lou Lane is retired, but this time of year, sales is his daily job. Lane, who lives in Norwalk, drives to the South Suburban YMCA every day to open the "Y's Men" Christmas tree lot west of the fitness facility.

Each day, volunteers are on hand to match customers with the best tree that will fit their holiday decor. The lot started with 500 trees this season and the first rush comes Thanksgiving weekend. This year 140 trees were sold during that time. Decades ago, he said, more people used live trees for Christmas and the lot had as many as 1,500 to start.

Lane said he likes seeing return customers who visit the lot every year to pick the perfect tree from the selection of balsam and fraser firs, white pines and scotch pines.

"The ones that come every year are here early, so they have a lot to pick from," he said. But plenty of trees remain and good weather has helped bring people to tree lots across the metro area. In some places, lots are replenished as the selection dwindles, though some lots have reported a shortage of swags and wreaths this season.

Lane said the great thing about the Y's Men's trees — a fundraiser by the Y Service Club — is that money made on the sales is used for improvements at the YMCA next door. The tree lot started in 1968 and proceeds have helped with upgrades and additions to the Y, plus needs for kids' programs. Last summer money was used to upgrade the locker areas, replace floors and paint.

"It gives us money to do a lot of things at the Y that otherwise wouldn't happen," Lane said. "That's what it's all about. We are a service club."

Pick your tree

Hours at the South Suburban Y Service Club tree lot are 3 to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays until Christmas Eve, or while the tree supply lasts. The tree lot is just west of the YMCA at 401 E. Army Post Road. Lane said prices have not been increased at least six to seven years and variety by height and type of tree.

Photos by Melissa Myers, Patch