Golden’s Bridge Fire Department Annual Tree Sale Is Branching Out, Adds Letters to Santa Mailbox

GOLDEN'S BRIDGE, NY — The best kept secret in Hudson Valley isn't a secret any longer.

Golden’s Bridge residents looking for a holiday tree head to one place, the local firehouse. Starting Friday, Nov. 27, the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department opens its annual Christmas Tree Sale on the firehouse grounds at 254 Waccabuc Rd. (also known as Route 138). The department said the sale is its biggest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds supporting community outreach programs and department needs.

“Not only are you purchasing a beautiful tree, you’re supporting your local fire department!” said long-time firefighter and GBFD Secretary Walter Hughes, co-chair of the Christmas tree sale.

The department said customers will also receive a checklist of fire prevention and safety tips tied to holiday decorating and tree care. The “Christmas Tree Shop” will offer Fraser-Balsam fir hybrids ranging from 6 feet to more than 10 feet tall. Firefighters will give each tree a fresh cut, trim bottom branches, wrap it in nylon mesh and secure it to or load it into customers’ vehicles.

Sale hours are Mondays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The sale will continue until every tree is sold, according to the release.

This year, the fire department is also adding a mailbox for children’s letters to Santa.

“A special ‘Letters to Santa’ mailbox was delivered directly from the North Pole to the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse. Children can drop their letters to Santa Claus into the shiny red mailbox and take a family photo before shopping for the perfect tree,” said veteran firefighter and GBFD President Steven Mines, co-chair of the sale.

Letters should be dropped off between Nov. 27 and no later than Dec. 20. Mines said the mailbox will remain in place until “Curbside with Santa” at the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse on Dec. 20.

The department said it sources its trees from farms that cut them as close to Thanksgiving as possible. The Fraser-Balsam fir hybrid is popular for indoor decorating because its branches hold ornaments well through the season.

Fire Chief Albert Melillo used the anticipation about the opening to stress tree safety.

“Dry needles are a significant fire hazard. They can ignite quickly and burn to the ceiling in less than a minute,” Melillo said.

The department’s checklist advises customers to make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk, fill the water well daily, keep trees at least five feet from radiators, lamps, heating vents and baseboard heat, and keep them 10 feet or more from an active fireplace. It also recommends using UL-approved indoor lights, checking for damaged wires, avoiding overloaded cords and outlets, and turning lights off when leaving a room, leaving home or going to bed.