Volunteers help feed the wood chipper during the Nanaimo SAR annual tree chipping fundraiser, taking place this year on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6-7 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Country Club Centre parking lot. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

feeling chipper

Christmas tree chipping events happening across the mid-Island

Jan 6, 2024 | 5:59 AM

NANAIMO — If you still have a Christmas tree up, this weekend is your chance to get it out of your house and donate it to a good cause.

There are a number of Christmas tree chipping events happening this weekend, most held annually on the first weekend of January.

Nanaimo Search and Rescue (NSAR) will be hosting their Christmas tree chipping event on Jan. 6-7, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days at the Country Club Centre parking lot.

NSAR president Carly Trobridge said this is usually their biggest fundraiser of the year, bringing in an average of $5,000.

“We’re supported by VI Tree (Services), which has been a long-time supporter of Nanaimo SAR we’ve patterned with them for multiple years on our tree chipping. We do accept donations for the tree chipping via cash or card, we do have a device to accept electronic payments this year so that’s great.”

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All proceeds raised from the NSAR will benefit the John Barsby Secondary school outdoor education program, said Trobridge. Volunteers will also be on hand to help unload trees if assistance is required.

The Nanaimo Lions Club is also hosting their “Chip Up” Christmas tree chipping event and bottle drive on Jan. 6 and 7 at the North Town Mall parking lot from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Nanaimo SPCA is also holding their annual tree chipping and bottle drive, starting Friday, Jan 5 and going until Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. all three days.

Parksville
The Parksville Volunteer Firefighters Association hosts their tree chipping fundraiser on Saturday, Jan 6. from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Wembly Mall (826 Island Hwy. W) parking lot near Happy Jacks.

Lt. Joe Foster said donations collected from their tree chipping event will go towards their firefighter charitable fund, which is used to support various causes throughout the community.

“What ends up happening through the year is there is a need somewhere in the community, and we end up doing a spur-of-the-moment fundraiser which uses up energy and time of the members. This was to actually get us a little bit of a float in that charitable fund so that we could actually meet the needs of the community when they do come along.”

Charities they’ve supported in the past include the Tour De Rock, Wounded Warriors Canada, and the Parksville Salvation Army.

Foster said by now, your Christmas tree is dried out and ready to be removed to avoid turning it into a fire hazard.

He also reminds people to remove all decorations from the tree before donating it.

“I think it’s a great way to get rid of that hazard in your house as well. It’s a win-win for the firefighters to get some hard cash in the charitable funds so we can support other things in the community, but it’s also a great way to get that hazard out of your house early in the new year.”

Ladysmith
The Ladysmith Fire Rescue’s Christmas tree chipping will also take place on Jan.6 and 7 behind their firehall at 340 Sixth Ave. on Malone Rd.

The event runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both days, with donations supporting the Ladysmith Fire Rescue Historical Society.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow