The Optimist Christmas Trees Are Here!

The weather today is turning sharply colder, and we’re getting the kind of spattery rain that hints of sleet, slush, and snow. It gets you thinking about winter. I even baked some cookies this morning!

I had to run a quick errand this afternoon, and look what I saw: The Optimists’ Christmas trees arrived today!



Yes, I’ve blogged about this before, so if you don’t know who the Optimists are, why they have a Christmas tree lot, or any of the other “back” story, then look at that previous post.

The trees go on sale November 27 (the day after Thanksgiving). Considering that most places start selling Christmas stuff as soon as Halloween is over, I think the Optimists are showing some tasteful restraint! But they do want to sell out of the trees; not only are they perishable, but this is one of their big fund-raising projects.



I just love having them just a block away from our house. I love being able to look out my living room window and see their glowing strings of lights illuminating their lot, down on the corner, on these chilly evenings.

I love walking by the trees on my way to church, and breathing in that pleasant scent of fresh pine and fir. I love how little stray sprigs of firs lay on the sidewalk, releasing their aroma as people occasionally step on them.

I love the longevity of the Optimists and their Christmas tree sales. For as long as I can remember, my family has always gotten our Christmas trees from this nonprofit Friend of Youth.



So far, the trees are just laying there; they haven’t been set up for sale yet—but I’ll bet they begin selling them this weekend. If you’re going to buy a genuine tree this year, I can endorse the Optimists. They do good work with their funds.



Here in the Munichburg neighborhood in Jefferson City, you can find them on the corner of Broadway and West Dunklin, on the lawn of the Carpenters’ Building (originally Broadway Elementary School).

Another “Op”

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know that I sometimes call it the “Op Op.” Well, tonight I’m writing about another “Op”—the Optimists. Officially, Optimist International.

They’re on my mind because one of their local annual fund-raisers is to sell Christmas trees. For years, the Jefferson City chapter has had a tree lot on the grounds of the Carpenters Union building (the old Broadway School) on the northeast corner of Dunklin and Broadway.




Right in the center of Old Munichburg.

The week before Thanksgiving, they park their trailer up there, and after turkey day, they’re all ready to start selling trees. And from what I can tell, the prices are quite reasonable.




I like the strings of bare light bulbs, white and red, that they stretch over the tree lot. We can see the lights and trees from our living room windows. It makes me happy. (It makes me feel optimistic!) It is incredibly Christmassy. It is real and true and genuine. Walking through the rows of trees and breathing their coniferous fragrance.




The guys who work there are really friendly and helpful. I guess that should go without saying, though, since they’re Optimists. Right?




I grew up in Columbia, and my parents always get their Christmas tree from Columbia’s Downtown Optimist Club; their main lot is just off Business Loop 70, one block west of the intersection of Providence and the Business Loop. If you’re in Columbia, consider getting your tree there, or at their two other locations. They sell wreathes, mistletoe, and other fresh holiday greenery.




Apart from the lovely fresh firs and pines, and the pleasure of wandering around their charming tree lot, and the friendly folks to help you select and pack up your tree, why should you buy from the Optimists?

If you’re already familiar with the organization (which I am not a member of, in case you’re wondering) you already know the answer to that question, so you can just skim over the next few paragraphs. But I encourage you to reacquaint yourself with their doin’s.





The Optimists are a worldwide organization “dedicated to ‘Bringing Out the Best in Kids.’” They often have the slogan “Friend of Youth” next to their logo. Members in local chapters participate in nationally coordinated initiatives as well as their own local projects for the immediate community.

In order to “help empower young people to be the best that they can be,” the group has an ongoing Childhood Cancer Campaign, teaches Internet Safety, sponsors their Junior Golf Championships, and hosts scholarship contests for essays and oratory.

They promote optimism as a philosophy of life. They teach respect for law, advocate nonviolence, sponsor sports (such as youth baseball programs), have youth appreciation programs, and encourage youth safety.

The local chapter here in Jefferson City sponsors bicycle safety clinics. Remember back in September? They had a bicycle obstacle course for kids during the Tour of Missouri, and they were giving out free children’s bike helmets. Pretty cool, huh?




In other words, these folks are classic, textbook cases of “do-gooders.” By supporting them, you’re doing good, yourself.

My bottom line here is a classic “call to action”: Need a Christmas tree? Then buy from your local Optimist Club.