Traditions Remembered As Chatham Fire Department Tree Sale Ends

CHATHAM, NJ — The holiday season is all about traditions, and purchasing a Christmas tree from the annual Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department tree sale is one of those traditions for many people.

As this year's tree sale comes to a close, members of the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department paused to consider what the tradition means to the community.

The Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department has been selling Christmas trees for the past 41 years, and this year was no exception.

This annual event requires a great deal of planning and coordination, as well as a lot of help to be successful, Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department President Richard Gentles said.

“We are so proud of our history of selling trees and more importantly knowing that 100 percent of the profits support the lifesaving mission of our entirely volunteer organization,” Chief Matt Chase said.

This year, two eighteen-wheel trucks loaded with trees from Pennsylvania arrived at the River Road fire station just before Thanksgiving, and a large group of volunteers immediately got to work.

Gentles stated that the group of volunteers unloaded and assisted the company in selling 650 trees this year with the assistance of local firefighters, associate members, numerous high school and college students and their parents.

The Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department also sold 180 decorated and undecorated wreaths and nearly 4,000 feet of pine roping.

“We had a great assortment of beautiful trees and despite the increase in the price of trees and shipping, we sold all of our trees, wreaths and garland in record time,” Gentles said

The fire department, which was founded in 1925, is entirely made up of volunteer members, including 25 active firefighters, junior firefighters, and associate members who provide services every day.

The department has its headquarters on River Road and a second station on Southern Boulevard, and it responds to about 300 calls per year, both within Chatham Township and as mutual aid to departments in neighboring communities.

Those interested in joining the CTVFD or learning more about what they do within the community are invited to email [email protected].