New West residents can get rid of their Christmas trees and help out local charities at this weekend’s tree-chipping event.
The New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society is holding its annual tree-chipping fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 7 and Sunday, Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Westminster City Hall.
Alasdair Dunbar, the charitable society’s president, said the by-donation event raises money to help support a multitude of groups and programs in New Westminster. He said the society is hoping for good turnout at this weekend’s drive-thru style event.
For years, the tree-chipping event was held at the Canada Games Pool parking lot, where it included a barbecue and entertainment. It relocated to city hall last year because of construction of the new təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre.
“People pull up; we pull the trees out of their car,” said Glen Bailey, the society’s past president.
Firefighters will be collecting cash donations in boots, but debit and credit machines will also be available.
Bailey said the City of New Westminster has been fantastic about allowing firefighters to hold the drive-thru event at city hall while they consider where to hold the event in future years. He said firefighters enjoy meeting community members at the tree-chipping fundraiser.
“Come and have a chat with us. We love seeing the community,” he said. “We always take time to talk to people while they are in their cars. Also, there is lots of parking at city hall – if they want to park and come chat with us, they are more than welcome.”
More New Year’s cleanup opportunities
If you’re putting away your holiday décor for another year or cleaning house, here are some things to keep in mind.
* The Class of 2023 at New Westminster Secondary School is holding a bottle drive on Saturday, Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 820 Sixth St. Grads will be at the NWSS parking lot, in front of the school’s main doors, to receive your recyclable deposit beverage containers. A list of accepted containers can be found at www.return-it.ca/beverage/products.
* Burnt out or broken holiday lights can be recycled at more than 150 free drop-off locations across the province, including the Salvation Army Thrift Store in New Westminster (774 Columbia St.) All kinds of string lights can be recycled in B.C., including retro-style incandescent strings and LED garlands that twinkle and blink.
