Leo Club wreath sale proceeds donated to local families
During the holiday season,
the Leo Club makes and sells evergreen wreaths and donates the
proceeds to local families in need.
“This is our biggest fundraiser and has become one of the club’s
most notable traditions,” says Leo Club Advisor Karen Kanarkiewicz.
“We have many repeat customers whose wreath purchases help our local
families in need. This year we raised more than $600.”
The Duane Lions Club is the Leo Club’s local sponsor for this
project and provides the raw materials—the greenery, ribbons,
pinecones and wreath wire. Leo Club members typically meet for an
entire two-day weekend to make the wreaths at the Sander Farm in
Duanesburg. The students cut the greens, paint the pinecone
decorations, tie the bows and assemble the wreaths.
The students sell the finished wreaths and use the proceeds to buy
items for families in the community who have been identified as
needing assistance this holiday season. Leo Club officers take the
proceeds and purchase items that the children in the family need,
such as art supplies, books, hats and gloves, and a few toys and
other fun items for each child.
Leo Club members then meet and wrap all the gifts so they can be
presented to each child over the holidays. This year, the Leo Club
was able to sponsor 15 children.
“The wonderful thing about the project is how much support we get
from the community,” says Kanarkiewicz. “Including the Sanders
family, Mr. Gemmiti (our Lions Club representative), NBT Bank’s
annual donation, DCS staff and teachers and, of course, our
customers who support our sale.”
