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Community Corner

Christmas Tree Seller Does Good Deeds

Douglas Deeds has been selling the holiday staples at Our Lady of La Salette as a volunteer for the past 23 years.

As the temperature dips down and with Christmas just three weekends away, Doug Deeds has set up shop selling trees at  church in Berkley.

For the past 23 years, Deeds and other church volunteers have spent the weekend before Thanksgiving digging holes, installing posts and running electricity for the big Christmas tree sale. Proceeds are donated to the athletics program at .

The second week of December – the coming weekend – is usually the lot's busiest, said Deeds, 64, a retired truck driver  whose kids participated in religious and athletic programs at La Salette. Among the 400 trees sitting in the lot are Scotch pines ($25-$50), Fraser firs ($35-$95) and more. The church also donates trees to families who can't afford them. 

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With 59 trees sold so far, Deeds said he feels positive about sales this year.

Back in the late 80s, Deeds said, the lot started with 1,300 trees and also sold across the street. But, over the years, sales dwindled and for the past five years, Deeds and the team have cut down to sourcing 400 trees.

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"One year we got stuck with 67 trees that we couldn't sell," he recalled. "So we shredded them and put them in our garden out back."

Deeds said he suspects part of the cause behind the declining demand is increasing competition. He cites the National Shrine of the Little Flower lot in Royal Oak as an example.

"After Shrine saw that we were doing so well with the Christmas trees, they started their own sale selling 1,500 trees," he said. "They've got a prime location on Woodward Avenue but they also price their trees higher then we do."

Theron Mayes has been a regular customer at the Our Lady tree lot since 1995.

"Doug is pretty cool," he said. "He is taking care of business and doing a good job."

But, Deeds' volunteer role extends beyond the tree lot.

La Salette has a vegetable garden that Deeds oversees with the help of seven master gardeners who volunteer their time. In 2008, the garden produced 4,700 pounds of food that was donated to a food bank, Deeds said.

Dan Pennington, the booster president at the school, calls Deeds "our old handbook."

Pennington oversees the boosters program, ensuring the school has athletic directors and coaches. He also organizes fundraisers that pay for tournaments, sports supplies and equipment. Through all the planning, Pennington said he has appreciated Deeds' help and experience.

During the weekdays, Deeds also helps out at the cafeteria. The school had to let go of its maintenance person and Deeds decided to fill in by sweeping the floors and even helping the cook.

But, Deeds said, being part of the community and the church is reward enough for him.

The lot is open to the public on weekends up until Christmas; Monday evenings are "Ladies Nights," with women running the lot.

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