Y Men’s Club Provides Christmas Trees to Mahaska Community
Lance Edwards (left) and Don Swim (right) were helping people pick just the right Christmas tree on Wednesday afternoon
The Y Men’s club has been providing live Christmas trees to the Mahaska community for about 60 years. Charlie Kentfield, Bruce Seidrel and Charlie Purdue are just some of the original founders of Y Men’s Club in the 1950’s according to Don Swim, current club president. The annual Christmas tree sales are their major fundraiser every year. The club supports the YMCA annual scholarship fund, YMCA summer camp program, and the YMCA Boy and Girl of the Month every April and May.
The Christmas tree stand will be opening in the Mahaska Drug parking lot at 11:00 am on Friday, November 25th, and Saturday, November 26th. The stand will be closing on both days at 5:00 pm.
Following the opening weekend, the stand hours will be from 1-6 pm on Sunday through Fridays, and 11-5 pm on Saturdays. The stand will be closing on December 11th.
Through their fundraising efforts the Y Men’s Group has been able to contribute approximately $2,500 annually to support YMCA programs. “Oskaloosa has one of the last remaining Y Men’s Club in Iowa. Our Y is blessed to have this dedicated group who not only contribute funds but also volunteer time to assist with maintenance and cleaning the summer camp and other projects,” said Dawn Collins, YMCA Executive Director. The club has about 20 members actively involved in service projects and fundraising. For more information, or to join the club, contact Dawn Collins at the Mahaska County YMCA at 641.673.8411.
