Theft of holiday trees brings out Christmas spirit

ST. LOUIS -- Organizers of a Christmas tree sale to support youth hockey programs in suburban St. Louis figured that a tree or two might get swiped from their sale lot after-hours.

What they hadn't counted on was someone stealing more than 90 Christmas trees.

The unseasonable move has prompted others in the area to step forward, dropping off additional trees or donating money.

Erica Parks, the fund-raising director for the Affton Athletic Association, said when she saw the bare spots after last weekend, she assumed the organization had a great few days for sales.

She soon realized someone -- clearly not adhering to the spirit of St. Nick -- had nicked nearly a third of the 300-tree inventory from the group's outdoor lot. Tire tracks on a nearby field were the only clue about how the trees, worth about $3,000, were taken.

"The kids don't deserve it," she said.

The association runs recreational and competitive hockey games for children and teens in the communities of Affton and Fenton. Proceeds were supposed to pay for improvements at an ice rink in Fenton, she said.

Parks said others from the area have tried to counterbalance the thefts with acts of kindness. She said the Brentwood Optimist Club donated 15 trees from their own sale, and she said some area residents are dropping by to make $10 or $20 donations, even if they don't want to buy a tree.

She called those efforts much appreciated and said the association continued selling the 130 trees it had left. But she said the group thinks the best it can now do is break even.

Todd Schlereth, a volunteer with the group, said he and his 8-year-old son were upset when they learned of the thefts.

He said he and about 10 others worked Thanksgiving morning to unload the trees. Recalling that work, he was amazed that someone had made off with so many trees, some of them 8 feet tall. Schlereth was pleased to learn that others in the community were donating to the cause after the thefts.

"Hopefully," he said, "that's what the Christmas spirit is all about, and maybe one day we can help them."