If youB次元官网网址檙e as picky as Clark Griswold when it comes to selecting that perfect Christmas Tree, the WestShore Centre for Learning has a great solution, and you donB次元官网网址檛 have to worry about bringing your own saw.

The CentreB次元官网网址檚 annual Christmas tree fundraiser kicks off Thursday (Dec. 1) and runs through to Dec. 13, featuring fresh cut trees from Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm, with 50 per cent of the proceeds going to the school.

As a bonus, the centre has a wide variety of sizes and species, meaning there should be a tree for just about everyone.

Uniquely, the fundraiser has been organized completely by students, right down to the fine details such as social media marketing and making crafts and ornaments to sell alongside the trees.

B次元官网网址淲e really wanted it to be a collaborative school project, a teachable moment,B次元官网网址� said Debbie Lodewijk, a teacher and volunteer co-ordinator at the WestShore Centre for Learning. B次元官网网址淭he cool thing about the Christmas tree sale is that itB次元官网网址檚 become a school-wide thing, so all of our programs and classes have taken on a project and itB次元官网网址檚 basically like learning how to set up a business.B次元官网网址�

The funds raised will go towards ensuring that all students are able to attend graduation and the reception that follows.

In the past, staff noticed that a lot of students B次元官网网址� many of them from lower income families B次元官网网址� could not afford to attend their own graduation, let alone bring some of their family along to celebrate.

Last yearB次元官网网址檚 debut Christmas tree fundraiser B次元官网网址� which raised $10,000 B次元官网网址� covered all of the graduation-related costs, ensuring that all students could attend.

B次元官网网址淭hey get their cap and gown and they get to attend the ceremony and reception B次元官网网址� we make the ceremony accessible,B次元官网网址� Lodewijk said.

Those interested in picking up a tree or shopping for some handcrafted items can stop by the WestShore Centre for LearningB次元官网网址檚 Colwood Campus (2139 Sooke Rd., just north of Royal Roads) from Dec. 1 to 13. Staff and student volunteers will be there to help you from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, log on to westshorecentre.com.

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com