Dasha Pletnikova needed a Christmas tree, so rather than go to a traditional commercial lot, she drove to Hammond High School, her alma mater, to buy her tree.
This year, like every year, the HHS Boosters are selling Christmas trees to raise funds for the various activities they support. According to the group’s website, “the Boosters is an organized group of volunteers that promotes school spirit and pride by supplementing funding of Hammond’s extra-curricular activities through partnerships with the school administration, club sponsors, coaches, student support groups, and local businesses.”
Springer Goyne, a Booster member and volunteer at the tree lot said that the Hammond baseball team loaded trees onto the truck for transport to Hammond and then unloaded them into the locker situated on the parking lot. On Saturday night the Boosters brought in seven volunteers to sell and tie trees to customers’ cars, and maintain the site.
There’s a walk-in locker to hangout in when the trees are on display, but the team also has a fire pit going outside to keep warm. While the parent volunteers are on site supporting the school, the student volunteers represent specific clubs and activities. According to Mr. Goyne, the proceeds from sales get divided among the clubs represented, based on participation. The more a student volunteer works, the more their club brings in.
The Hammond dance team is preparing to travel to Disney in Florida. The team has an engagement to perform there on February 12, 2014. Three members of the team were on hand Saturday night. Caroline Goyne, Khyana Thompson, and Kaicee Harris all put in several hours so that they could make a contribution towards the trip. Darrin Allen, a member of the baseball team was out hustling to bring in dollars for baseball equipment sorely needed for the spring of 2014.
Ms. Pletnikova, who is now a teacher at Ilchester Elementary School, said, “I wanted to come out and support Hammond.” She walked away with a big smile on her face after finding the right tree. Bob Palmer, an adult volunteer who supports the robotics team, provided that necessary service after the sale, loading and tying the tree to Ms. Plentikova’s sedan. She returned home knowing that her tree was secure.The Christmas tree lot is open on weekends through December 15, 2013. Mr. Goyne said that the Boosters may extend the service beyond the end date if necessary.