Each year during the holidays, a fragrant, indoor forest sprouts
at Fort Mason Center as the Guardsmen set up their fund-raising
tree lot. In addition to trees in all shapes and sizes, the
Guardsmen sell ornaments, wreaths, tree stands, decorations,
and fireproofing services. For more than three decades, this
San Francisco service group has sold trees and hosted other
events to fund youth scholarships and outdoor education programs.
This year, the Festival Pavilion becomes a seaside walk in
the woods as truckloads of trees fill the cavernous space.
In operation since 1947, the Guardsmen have perfected the
art of fund-raising. Of the $1 million earned annually, about
90 cents of each dollar goes to Guardsmen programs for disadvantaged
young people. The tree lot is the Guardsmen’s signature
event and is one of the largest retail Christmas tree markets
in the Western US.
During the summer, about 3,000 children explore the redwoods
at three camps the Guardsmen support. The Youth Education
Scholarship Program is another way that the Guardsmen help
children with the proceeds from tree sales at Fort Mason Center.
Stroll through the Guardsmen’s tree lot and pick the
perfect tree for holiday celebrations. Visit www.guardsmen.org
and December
1 in the calendar for more details.
