Annual AYS Tree Lot to Benefit Colleen Ritzer Scholarship Fund
ANDOVER, Massachusetts – Continuing the 12-year, all-volunteer Andover Youth Services (AYS)/Andover Youth Foundation (AYF) tradition, the Andover Skate Park, 80 Shawsheen Road, will soon transform into a “Lot of Trees”. Proceeds from the sale of Christmas trees and other holiday items will support the construction of a youth center. This year, a portion of each tree sale will also benefit a local scholarship fund named for a revered and inspirational teacher that benefits Andover and Danvers High School graduates.
AYS will sell fresh balsam trees from New Brunswick, North Carolina Fraser fir trees and wreaths of all sizes and shapes. For each tree sold, AYS/AYF will donate $1 to the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Andover High School students will unload the first delivery of trees on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 26 and a second delivery on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 29.
“The ‘Lot of Trees’ is a truly unique community event that provides our neighbors Christmas trees and wreaths and raises needed funds to support the Andover Youth Services programs and the Cormier Youth Center,” said AYS Director, Bill Fahey. “This year, we are honored to also support the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund, a worthy effort that helps high school graduates from Andover pursue their dream to follow in Colleen’s footsteps and become a teacher. The student volunteers will certainly share a lot of good this holiday season.”
“Our family is truly grateful for this very generous gesture by Andover Youth Services,” said the Ritzer Family. “We are amazed and strengthened by the continued acts of genuine kindness in Colleen’s name to support the scholarship fund that has already begun to help educate future teachers from Andover and Danvers. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff and student volunteers of Andover Youth Services for their support of the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund.”
The AYS Tree Lot season begins on Friday, November 28 and will be open seven days a week until Monday, December 22. Hours include Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 8:30p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Andover High School students volunteer each day and night at the AYS Tree Lot helping individuals and families find the perfect Christmas tree, wreaths, centerpieces and kissing balls.
In past years, the AYS Tree Lot has raised funds to support worthy causes such as improvements to the skate park, holiday gift drive, scholarships and more.