Affordable Christmas Tree event in Watervliet

WATERVLIET, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local masonry company is getting into the giving spirit with their annual holiday event to help those in need in their town. Even a special guest made a debut.

 In Watervliet Davco Masonry hosted their third annual affordable Christmas tree event for residents there. They can trade in some cans of food with a little bit of cash in order to go home with a Christmas tree.

The owners, David Hartman and Matt Morrissey, share with NEWS10’s Reporter James De La Fuente just how this event all got started with a simple stop at their local Stewarts. “There was a couple sitting there saying I wish that we could get a tree, but the economy is kind of tough and I don't have any money to get it, so I looked over and I said I'll get you a tree. So, we got her a tree and a week later she called back and said her friend didn't have a tree and then we got her a tree and then Matt and I got talking and then we started doing trees every year for the community,” explained Hartman. 

They say they learned to get ready way in advance, long before the Christmas season. “[We] find the farmers that have the trees. So, we have to call like in August or so just to make sure, we reserve them,” said Morrissey.

Hartman says they shop for, “Local trees, local farms. They got donated and we got them at cost. And what we do here is we charge $10 a tree, because trees are up to $70 now. They're very expensive. Then we also charge three cans of canned food and that goes to the Community Food Bank.” 

Last year was such a success they needed to ramp it up this year. “We did about $1,200 last year and about 900 cans,” said Hartman. “We got 105 trees this year so we should be doing a lot.”

This year the folks showed up yet again, lining up with the little ones to come pick out the perfect tree. but, not without the help from some Davco family members

“They got hot chocolate they got everything you need it's a good spirit I think it's just a good vibe all the way around,” said Preston Lockrow.

And that vibe just kept getting better with the arrival of a very special guest, Santa showed up to bring more joy to the event.

All canned food and cash proceeds will benefit the Redemption Church of Christ of Watervliet.

The owners say that there may still be a few trees left and the offer is now extended on a first come first serve basis for anyone in the Capital Region.