Lions branch selling trees
By Chris Simon

Thornton Lions Club member Paul Burke stands outside the organization's tree lot along County Road 27 Saturday. The Lions will be selling trees and wreaths at the lot over the next few weeks.

The Thornton Lions Club are continuing an annual holiday tradition over the next few weeks.

The organization will be selling $30 trees and $15 wreaths over the next few weeks, at a lot along County Road 27 in Thornton. They hope to sell their entire inventory of wreaths and 280 trees, said member Paul Burke.

"As members of the Lions Club, this is what we do. We fundraise for community services and projects, whether its somebody in need or somebody needing our hall," he said. "We normally like to associate a fundraising event with a project. But this is just general community fundraising."

Proceeds from the sale will benefit several community projects sponsored by the Lions. It's one of their largest annual fundraisers, and is widely supported by local residents, said Burke.

"The community is what inspires us; everybody wants it," he said. "We have people come back simply because they're supporting the Lions Club."

The Lions have been selling trees in Thornton for about 20 years. Although the sale began last weekend, business has already been brisk, said Burke.

"For the first day, we probably sold 15 (trees) today," he said. "We're anticipating selling out, and if we sell out too early, we'll go get some more. Every year, we increase (the number of trees for sale)."

Burke said the cold weather will likely help spur sales.

"The weather certainly helps," he said. "It may not be the greatest for standing outside some days, but it certainly helps as far as getting into the (Christmas) spirit."