The Shadow
WEST AUGUSTA — Boys Home of Virginia is marking the Christmas season with the 26th year of harvest from its Christmas tree farm.
The tree farm is an important part of the Boys Home story and provides a great experience for Boys Home’s young men. The boys and staff work on the trees throughout the year to ensure they are ready when the Christmas season rolls around.
The tree farm features family activities like choosing your own tree, refreshments and hot chocolate, a photo booth, a children’s craft table, small petting zoo, and drawing to win a gift basket.
The gift shop will be decorated with traditional Christmas trimmings and will sell fresh garland, ornaments made by the students, a variety of Christmas items, as well as wreaths of various sizes.
The 2019 Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm season begins Friday, Nov. 29, and extends to Saturday, Dec. 21.
The tree farm, located in West Augusta, is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Santa will visit the tree farm on Saturday, Dec. 7, Sunday, Dec. 8, Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m each day.
“We work to teach our young men good habits and a strong work ethic — things like being on time, wearing appropriate clothing, going the extra mile — so that when they leave us they can do something with their experience,” said Donnie Wheatley, Boys Home executive director. “At our Christmas tree farm in Augusta County, our residents have been actively participating in all aspects of the operation since 1994.
“Each spring, our boys place young seedlings in planting beds. In the summer and fall, they shear trees and groom fields,” Wheatley added. “During the winter, they harvest trees and assist with the ‘choose and cut’ sales at the farm. Even if some of our boys are not interested in the skilled trades, they’re at least learning what it takes to make a living and how to properly interact with the public in a retail operation. The tree farm is the right place for a great tree in support of a great cause.”
The tree farm is located off of Route 688 at 1118 Bear Wallow Flat in West Augusta, Va.
For more information, call (540) 965-7700 or visit the Boys Home website at www.boyshomeofva.org/our-tree-farm.
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Boys Home of Virginia is marking the Christmas season with the 26th year of harvest from its Christmas tree farm. The farm is located in West Augusta. Here Boys Home residents, from left, Christian Sergent, Adian Sylla, Bailey Stagner, Khean Mikkelson, Andrew Wiley and Christian Bass pause for a photograph. (Photo Courtesy Boys Home of Virginia)
