Welland church giving away trees during ‘Green Saturday’
Though a U.S. phenomenon, Black Friday sales are popular among Niagarans who either cross the border to take part in the States’ post-Thanksgiving store sales or shop locally at retailers offering similar deals here.
One Welland church is hoping to offer an antidote to all this consumerism by having people go home with some extra green instead.
On Nov. 24, Beacon Baptist Church in Welland will be giving away 400 Colorado spruce trees free of charge during an event that’s called Green Saturday.
Rev. Jeff Harris said the church is working with a seedling nursery in Barrie, which is providing the saplings, along with a postcard containing instructions for their care throughout the winter.
The event starts at 10 a.m. (rain or shine) and will last until all the trees are distributed. There will be one tree per vehicle.
Harris said the idea is to give away all the trees and for them to grow up and thrive, beautifying the city. If this inaugural event is successful, Harris said, the church will look into giving away even more trees next year.
Once taken home, the trees can be planted outside right away if the ground is not frozen. They can be potted and placed outside to be planted in the spring or place the sapling in a freezer. The important thing is to keep the sapling dormant until the weather warms.
Harris said he envisions the event as a sort of contrast to Black Friday, when U.S. shoppers spend their green currency.
The church is at 109 Chaffey St.