By Ethan Lee
Hometown Weekly Correspondent
The Needham High School Boosters Club held the 2016 Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale between November 26 and December 22.
The Boosters Club is a parent-run organization that supports and promotes Needham High School athletics through several fundraising events throughout the school year. One of these annual events is the Christmas Sale, which has been held over the last 20 years in Needham. Hosted next to Claxton Field, the sale featured Christmas trees of various sizes, wreaths, ornaments, and Rockets-themed gifts. With a diverse selection of Christmas-themed items, the sale provided a convenient option for Needham Christmas shoppers. 800 different students from 75 varsity and 13 club Needham High sports operated the sale, with the help of numerous team parents and coaches.
The Christmas Sale contributes to approximately one-third of proceeds for the Needham High Boosters Club. Boosters Club president Lynn Alberding described the uses of funds raised from the sale: “In 2016, a portion of our funds are being used to cover the cost of user fee waivers for students who request financial support. The Boosters will also provide money to purchase sports equipment, to defray the costs of team trips, and towards scholarships and awards. We have also contributed additional amounts for concussion testing, fan buses, and spirit wear for students attending NHS playoff games, and in support of the development of new club sports.”
Besides these many benefits delivered to Needham Athletics, Ms. Alberding explained that the Boosters Club’s fundamental goal of the Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale “is to raise money for the Boosters so that we are able to continue to promote, support and recognize NHS student athletes … This fundraiser also provides an opportunity for all NHS student athletes to be directly involved in fundraising, creating a clear link between money requested by a student or team and how the money is raised.”
In the spring, the Boosters Club will be holding the Patriots-Boosters basketball game, while the organization also holds the annual sticker drive in the fall.
For more information, visit the Needham High School Boosters Club website at http://www.needhamhighschoolboosters.org.
