The annual GCM Boosters Christmas Tree Sale has begun. Every year, the GCM Boosters has fundraisers to support Marshall athletes.
“We have two primary fundraisers throughout the year: one is the Christmas tree sale and the other one is the mulch sale,” GCM Athletic Booster Board Member John Lake said.
The Boosters also sell spirit wear and booster passes in order to support the athletes.
“Our two goals are: support the athletes and then promote Marshall’s athletic programs and get parents and students to come watch them,” Lake said.
All of the proceeds from the fundraisers go back into the school.
“We’re able to provide teams with equipment that isn’t paid for through the county budget,” Lake said.
In the past, the boosters have helped Marshall sports teams buy new uniforms, a new wrestling mat, bars for gymnastics and the baseball backstop.
“I think that the Boosters giving the money back to the athletic teams is very nice,” sophomore and member of the track team Anna Bae said.
Starting on November 25, the Christmas trees will be sold on the school’s front lawn. Sports and clubs require their members to sign up to volunteer.
“I think that, honestly, if it wasn’t required, a lot of people wouldn’t sign up,” sophomore and member of the track team Ayesha Piracha said. “It’s a nice way to show [students] how fun it can be to help people out.”
Student volunteers help customers pick out trees, cut off branches and trunks, carry trees to the customers’ cars and tie the trees.
“I love carrying the Christmas trees,” Bae said. “And I learned how to tie a tree onto the top of the car.”
Each sport and some clubs have a time slot where their team will volunteer. This means that each team volunteers together.
“I think it’s a really nice way to feel involved in the school community and in your sports team,” Piracha said.