Don’t chuck it, chip it.
As we welcome a new year, Christmas tree chipping events are happening across Vancouver Island by donation and for a good cause.
Outside Greater Victoria schools
In Greater Victoria, chipping events are scheduled at various schools, including Reynolds Secondary (3963 Borden St.) and Claremont Secondary (4980 Wesley St.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with donations accepted for the Claremont Key Club at the latter.
A by-donation chipping event at McKenzie Elementary (4005 Raymond St. N) is happening on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while people can get their trees chipped at Northridge Elementary (4190 Carey Rd.) on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon or on Jan. 8 from noon to 2 p.m.
At Central Middle School (1280 Fort St.), meanwhile, chippings are set for Jan. 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with donations supporting the school’s music program.
At fire halls in Colwood, Oak Bay
Local firefighters are joining in on the fun, chipping trees at the Colwood Fire Department (3215 Metchosin Rd.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the Oak Bay Fire Department (1703 Monterey Ave.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also in Oak Bay, the Castaway Wanderers Rugby Club will be chipping away along Currie Road next to the Windsor Park Rose Garden on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., all the while collecting donations for its programs.
Saanich, Esquimalt and View Royal
In Saanich, the Victoria Judo Club is chipping trees at Lochside Elementary School (1145 Royal Oak Dr.) on Jan 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at Scout House (505 Marigold Rd.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., by donation with proceeds supporting youth and community athletics.
Also in Saanich, Community Living Victoria (3861 Cedar Hill Cross Rd.) is hosting a tree chipping event by donation on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while Easter Seals BC/Yukon hosts “Chip In for the Kids” by donation at both Tillicum Centre (3170 Tillicum Rd.) and Broadmead Village (777 Royal Oak Dr.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Easter Seals will also be chipping trees in Langford at Westshore Town Centre (2945 Jacklin Rd.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In Esquimalt, the Compassionate Resource Warehouse will be chipping at Archie Browning Sports Centre (1151 Esquimalt Rd.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with donations benefiting youth programming.
In View Royal, Knights of Columbus will chip trees at St. Joseph the Worker Parish (753 Burnside Rd. W.) by donation on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Victoria Shrine Clown Unit will also be in View Royal chipping trees outside the Canadian Tire (1519 Admirals Rd.) on Jan. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Donations gratefully received. All proceeds go to charity,” says an organizer.
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Sidney
In Sidney, the Lion’s Club is hosting a chipping event at Iroquois Park, located at the corner of Fifth Street and Ocean Avenue, by donation on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cowichan Valley
In the Cowichan Valley, Easter Seals BC/Yukon is chipping trees by donation at Mason’s Store & Patio Ltd. (1885 Renfrew Rd.) in Shawnigan Lake on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and also in Mill Bay at Thrifty Foods (2720 Mill Bay Rd.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The group also plans to chip trees at the BC Forest Discovery Centre (2892 Drinkwater Rd.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In Ladysmith, meanwhile, the local fire rescue will be chipping trees by donation at 340 Sixth Ave. on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Port Alberni
The Port Alberni Parks Department is hosting a chipping event at the Echo Community Centre (4255 Wallace St.) on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when crews will collect donations for the local KidSport Chapter.
Nanaimo
Up island, Nanaimo Search and Rescue plans to chip trees outside Country Club Mall (3200 North Island Hwy.) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as the Nanaimo SPCA (154 Westwood Rd.) chips away on the same days and at the same times.
Comox Valley and Campbell River
In Courtenay, the local volunteer fire department is hosting its annual Christmas tree chipping fundraiser at two locations, the Courtenay Fire Hall (650 Cumberland Rd.) and Crown Isle Plaza (444 Lerwick Rd., near Thrifty Foods) on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For those who can’t drop off their tree, at-home pickup is also available for all areas severed by the Courtenay Fire Department, including fire protection districts, for a minimum $5 donation and people are asked to get in touch in advance by calling 250-334-2513 or emailing [email protected].
In neighbouring Comox, the fire department will be chipping trees at 1870 Noel Ave. on Jan. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and collecting donations for Y.A.N.A (You Are Not Alone).
Similar to Courtenay fire crews, the Comox Fire Department is offering at-home tree pickup for a minimum $10 donation and people are asked to call 250-339-2432 for more information.
Farther north in Campbell River, the Professional Firefighters Association will be chipping trees while collecting donations for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund outside the Sportsplex (1800 S. Alder St., lower parking lot) on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The local event has been a success year after year, including in 2021 when people braved a winter storm, got their trees chipped and helped raise more than $4,200 for the fund, the association said at the time.
Island-wide
Across the island, municipal yard waste depots and landfills may also be collecting Christmas trees and residents are encouraged to check with their regional district for more information.
Is there another Christmas tree chipping event happening in your area that wasn’t mentioned in this article? Send all the details to [email protected].
Ethan Morneau
