Folks, the Christmas tree shortage is real. I was just informed by the Miami Springs Optimist Club that the order they had placed with the Christmas Tree farm will not be fulfilled. This is devastating news for the Optimist Club which uses the proceeds to help fund many of the activities for our children.
It’s also devastating as it’s a Miami Springs tradition. On Thanksgiving Day or on Black Friday, we’d head over with the kids in the pickup. Pick out the tree and a local kid would help us load the tree onto the truck. You’d inevitably run into friends and neighbors and sometimes even family during this process. It’s one of those many “little things” we love about our community.
Now, the location has changed throughout the years. Many of you may remember getting a tree in what is now the Milam’s Markets office building. Some of you may have purchased a tree at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. More recently, the tree lot was operating from the Miami Springs Optimist Club parking lot. After the sale of the Optimist Club property, the plan was to sell the trees at Grace Lutheran Church located on Curtiss Parkway. I’ve been informed that the plan is to sell trees at Grace Lutheran Church next year.
To be clear, this has nothing to do with the sale of the Optimist Club property. This has to do with the Christmas Tree farm being unable to fulfill the order that had been previously placed by the Optimist Club.
Many of you, I’m sure, are wondering the same thing I am. Christmas Tree shortage? I understand a chip shortage. I understand a shortage in getting overseas supplies. I even understand the labor shortage. I don’t know if it’s a lack of truckers, loggers, or other labor shortage that is at the root of this Christmas Tree shortage. However, we want everyone to get the information NOW so that you can arrange to buy a Christmas Tree elsewhere or even swap to a faux tree this year.
Regardless of the true source of the tree shortage, no shortage will ever dim the spirit of Christmas. May the Lord Bless you all and fill you with kindness and patience this Holiday Season.
