The annual Circle Pines Center (www.circlepinescenter.org) Scholarship Fund Raiser is going on in Hyde Park at 55th and Lake Park.

This sale of family farm raised Christmas and Holiday Trees raises between $10,000 and $12,000 to offset the costs of summer camp for kids that may not be able to afford it otherwise.

The summercamp, located in Delton, Michigan, 3 hours East of Chicago is located on 300 acres and is cooperatively owned and managed. Teaching social justice and environmental stewardship has been ongoing since 1938.

120 campers a year are served, mainly from the Midwest, but also form both coasts, the campers learn community building, sustainability issues, discuss gender issues and LBGTQ issues.

The trees are from a family owned tree farm located north of Ludington, MI. The family that raises the trees derives much of their income from the growing of trees, and much of the local community derives income from the manufacturing of wreaths and garland.

Recent economic issues and the fact that the profit based Treasure Island Foods Store that replaced Hyde Parks Coop Grocery is now selling trees from industrial tree farms put in doubt the ability of the tree sale fund raiser by the Friends of Circle Pines Center will be able to raise it's financial commitment to the center.

Tax deductible donations to the Scholarship Fund can be sent to the center or dropped at the Christmas Tree Stand at 55th and Lake Park Avenue, in the mall behind Walgreens and directly next store to the competing, for profit Treasure Island Store.