How Christmas Trees Help Homeless Moms and Babies
Tammy Munroe is a poised, articulate young woman who studies at UBC and works as an aboriginal infant development consultant, teaching new moms how to care for their babies in the Downtown Eastside. Christmas is the time she gets to give back to Aunt Leah’s Place, the organization that was a refuge for her and her infant son 19 years ago.
Then, Tammy was a scared teen struggling to care for a newborn. As a child, Tammy had been bounced from one foster home to another and when she found herself pregnant and was kicked out of her group home, she had no place to go.
This was when Aunt Leah’s Place, a Vancouver charity that provides housing and support for aboriginal teen moms and fosters kids, stepped in. “I don’t think I could have raised my son on my own without that help,” says Tammy. “Aunt Leah’s has been like an extended family to me and my brother. They taught me how to take care of my baby and myself.”
Today Tammy proudly posts pictures of her son in his military uniform on Facebook. Not only is she dedicated to helping other young moms get on their feet, but every year she gives back to Aunt Leah’s by volunteering at the Aunt Leah’s Christmas Tree Lot.
“Working at the tree lot always puts me in the Christmas spirit,” says Tammy. “I love the festive atmosphere and catching up with old friends as so many volunteers and customers come back year after year. But most of all, I feel great knowing that every tree we sell helps young moms and their babies, especially as Christmas can be a difficult time for a lot of people.”
Last year, Aunt Leah’s Christmas Tree Lots at 7405 Royal Oak Ave. in Burnaby and at 7025 Granville St. in Vancouver sold over $130,000 worth of top quality, fresh cut trees. This year Aunt Leah’s hopes to boost their revenue by opening two new tree lots: one in Coquitlam and one in North Vancouver. In addition they are launching Vancouver’s first online tree lot (auntleahsplace.gostorego.com), where customers can purchase their trees online and have them delivered to their doors or ready for pickup at one of the four locations in the lower mainland.
“People are doing their Christmas shopping online these days. Why not buy your Christmas tree online too?” asks Gale Stewart, founder and executive director of Aunt Leah’s. “This is a huge convenience for busy professionals, businesses, or seniors who want the fragrance and beauty of a fresh-cut tree but just don’t have the time or the inclination to go out and buy one.”
100 percent of the profits from Aunt Leah’s Christmas Tree Lots go to pay for housing and programs to support vulnerable new moms and other youths who are aging out of the foster-care system. “Without a supportive home to go to, these moms—many of whom were foster kids themselves-- would be homeless and lose their babies to the foster care system,” says Stewart. “We are trying to stop this cycle.”
Aunt Leah’s started selling Christmas trees in the 1990s as a fundraiser when government funding was cut. ‘It has turned into a viable social enterprise and our Christmas tree sales have grown every year,” says Stewart. “For a lot of families, an Aunt Leah’s Christmas tree is a cherished part of their Christmas tradition.”
This year Coast Capital Savings has come on board as a major sponsor and the Georgia Straight is a media sponsor. “This is huge for us,” says Stewart. The sponsorship has allowed us to expand our operations and get the word out about the great Christmas trees we sell and the work we do providing housing and support for vulnerable teens and young moms and babies. “
In 2011, fundraising activities like the Christmas tree sales helped the society purchase a house for the moms and babies in its Thresholds program. But Aunt Leah's still struggles to meet the need: “In the last two months, we have received seven desperate calls from moms begging for housing. One young mom is four months pregnant and has been living under one of Vancouver’s bridges.” states Stewart.
Aunt Leah’s received the 2009 award of excellence from Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, the B.C. representative for children and youths, for the society's work with foster kids.
Aunt Leah’s Tree Lot locations
Online Tree Store! http://auntleahsplace.gostorego.com/
Vancouver Christmas Tree Lot
Location: St. Stephen’s United Church at 54th and Granville Street
Open Date: November 26th
Hours: 7 days a week 10 AM – 9 PM
Burnaby Christmas Tree Lot
Location: All Saints Anglican Church at Royal Oak and Rumble
Open Date: November 26th
Hours: Monday to Thursday 1 PM – 9 PM, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 AM – 9 PM
North Vancouver Christmas Tree Lot
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church at 220 8th Street West
Open Date: November 26th
Hours: Monday to Thursday 1 PM – 9 PM, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 AM – 9 PM
Coquitlam Christmas Tree Lot
Eagle Ridge United Church at 2813 Glen Drive
Open Date: December 2nd
Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10 AM – 9 PM
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