Press release
It was born out of the idea to help others. When Jay Lewis started his mini-Christmas tree fundraiser in 2017, he never thought that it would continue for eight years. From 2017 until 2023, Jay has raised approximately $12,500 to help people in need and Genesee County charities.
Starting in November, Jay makes small Christmas trees from pine tree branches and wood discs each year. He carefully constructs the mini trees from trees and pine branches from a relative’s property.
The small trees sell for $5.00 each. This year’s project will support the Jackson family from York, New York. Sadly, the Jackson family lost their father in August, and 16-year-old Javen is battling cancer. Javen recently underwent a bone marrow transplant; his sister Jadiya was his donor. This year’s fundraiser aims to support the Jackson family with some financial relief from the stress of medical bills.
“I started the project in 2017 to raise money during Christmas time to help someone in need. I was selling Christmas trees at Harrington’s, and we had scraps left over from trimming trees, so I just put a mini tree together,” Lewis explained.
This year, a Venmo collection is new. Venmo donations without a tree purchase have been used to donate trees to the VA Medical Center in Batavia.
Mini trees can be purchased at Harrington’s Produce in Batavia, Burley Brothers Butchery in Attica, Norton’s Chizzelwood in Alexander, and The Yngodess Shop in Batavia.