Christmas trees stolen from high school fundraiser, police investigating

BRAINTREE, Mass. – A Christmas fundraiser for a local high school was foiled by a Grinch after vandals ransacked the Christmas tree sale.

The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Archbishop Williams High School, and organizers say this is the first time in 40 years they’ve had a problem like this.

For 20 nights every December, volunteers stand in the cold selling trees and wreaths, but Friday night when they arrived their hearts sank.

“They actually pushed the stand over and kind of stomped on it, so that was sad,” organizer Michael Parsons said.

Trees were stolen, lights were smashed and wreaths had been flung around the parking lot.

Organizers believe it was the work of kids; someone nearby reported seeing people in the lot overnight, but didn’t call 911 at the time. The nasty act came as a blow to some youngsters who came to pick out their trees.

“It makes me feel very sad because it kind of ruins the Christmas spirit,” one little girl said.

About $300 of trees were taken, plus the cost of what will have to be repaired. Parsons said overall it shouldn’t impact the fundraiser too much, which generates about $35,000 for the school each year. But the work now is getting the rest of the trees into homes before the Grinch strikes again.

“Were back open and hopefully we can get rid of some of these trees,” Parsons said.

Organizers say if the public wants to help, they can buy a tree, or better yet, keep an eye on the lot and report any suspicious activity. Police will be periodically making the rounds too.

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