A Grand Valley scout troop will operate a Christmas tree lot to raise money for activities throughout the year.

Boy Scouts of America and Girls Troop 353 will operate the lot at the Meadowlark Garden Center located at 2259 S. Broadway in Grand Junction.

“This fund-raiser is critical to supporting the activities we can do in the coming year,” said Troop 353 Scoutmaster Remi Galvan. “Every campout, every adventure, every merit badge rally where a scout works toward rank advancement has a cost associated with it. This fund-raiser helps defray costs — and in some cases, zero them out — so our troop can have amazing opportunities to further their learning and skills. I’m proud of how seriously the troop is taking their responsibility in this sale as they understand the direct impact it will have in their lives.”

The lot is scheduled to open at 8 a.m. Nov. 24 and will coincide with a holiday craft fair at the Meadow Lark Garden Center. Lot hours will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 24 and weekends, 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3. Sales will continue until all the trees are sold.

The lot will feature trees ranging in size from 5-feet-tall to 10-feet-tall in a variety of species. Pre-decorated wreaths also will be available, as will homemade baked goods. Shoppers will receive complimentary hot chocolate,

“We’re excited to host our own, independent tree lot this year for the first time,” said Annette Rosling, Girls Troop 353 scoutmaster. “This is a great opportunity for scouts to learn valuable life skills and join in on the holiday spirit. And being able to have this sale in as nice of a location as Meadowlark Garden Center in the Redlands is absolutely perfect.”

BSA Scout Troop 353, part of the Denver Area Council, is sponsored by the Redlands Lions Club, and meets in the Redlands every week. The troop started in March 2010. In 2021, the linked girls troop was formed, establishing the only girls troop in the Grand Junction area.

Troop 353 is scout-led and scout-run, providing scouts with experience in leadership, planning and organization.