The steam from cocoa and hot chocolate were visible from the road. The scent of pine trees was fresh in the air.
For the past 50 years, Niagara Falls Lions Club has held its Christmas-tree sale on Drummond Road.
In doing so, it has provided a family tradition for city residents spanning generations.
For Joe and Kara Coens and their two daughters, Kara and Enzie, it is just that, a family tradition.
“My family’s been coming here for at least 30 years,” said Joe. “My parents brought me, and now I am doing the same with my children.
“My father worked with children with special needs, and in doing so, he brought that compassion out when picking a Christmas tree. He would always pick the one that needed a little extra love.”
The Lions Club has been serving Niagara Falls for the past 95 years. Its club motto is to “create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.”
“Everything we do, we do for the community,” said vice-president Bill Benson.
“One hundred per cent of the proceeds will go back into the community.”
This year has presented some challenges for the Lions.
COVID-19 has added a plethora of problems. Benson said volunteer retention and donations has plagued the local club.
And while those concerns still have to be addressed, what’s fresh in his head is a shortage of Christmas trees. He isn’t sure what the root-cause is, but wanted everyone to know to “get them while they’re hot.”
For Pam Coull, a mother of two ringette players, Alana and Lindsay, there didn’t seem like a shortage this weekend.
The Lions Club give back program has been so successful that it led to an informal agreement with Niagara Falls Daredevils Ringette Association.
Every November and December for the past four years Coull’s daughters have volunteered with the Lions Club. In exchange for funds to cover the cost of renting an arena, the association members volunteer at Christmas time to help with loading and unloading Christmas trees.
The sale started Nov. 22 and will run until all the trees sell out. Trees can be purchased Monday to Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sean Vanderklis is a Niagara-based reporter for the Niagara Falls Review. His reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. Reach him via email: [email protected]
