For the past 16 years, City Market has held a COTS Tree Sale to benefit Burlington’s Committee on Temporary Shelter. This year, City Market once again sold fresh balsams from Moffatt’s Tree Farm in Craftsbury, Vermont. The Co-op sold 660 trees from Wednesday, December 4 through Thursday, December 12 and the net proceeds were all donated to COTS. City Market staff, Co-op Members and community volunteers assisted customers with trees throughout the sale.
This Annual Tree Sale has truly become a community event with over 140 volunteers donating their time and community members donating to COTS through tree purchases and additional donations. Burlington’s Committee on Temporary Shelter COTS is the Vermont’s largest service provider to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They are a nationally recognized, Vermont nonprofit that provides emergency shelter, services, housing and prevention outreach, serving more than 2,000 people annually, including families and children.
“About 50% of our annual budget comes directly from community support. Through partnerships with organizations like City Market, COTS can continue to meet the immediate and ongoing needs in our community,” Markley said. “Throughout the year, Member Workers volunteer at COTS as part of the Co-op’s Community Outreach Program. And the Annual Tree Sale really has become a community tradition and a great way to support our neighbors most in need.”
City Market staff presented the check totaling $11,235 to COTS Executive Director Rita Markley and Director of Development & Communications Becky Holt. The annual Tree Sale to benefit COTS has been held at the Co-op for the past 16 years, bringing the total donation to over $90,000. If you missed the tree sale and would like to donate to COTS, visit them online at www.COTSonline.org/how-you-can-help.
