Hundreds of children attending Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s after-school program gathered around Alex Rodriguez-Roig, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, for the official opening of the 2017 Christmas City Centre Tree Lot on Nov. 20.
For more than 36 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade has been selling Christmas trees and wreaths to help bring holiday cheer into many South Florida households. The tradition continues in 2017 with the great addition of Swire Properties Inc. as this year’s tree lot sponsor and the new name of Christmas City Centre.
Joining Rodriguez-Roig for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony were Kieran Bowers, president of Swire Properties Inc., along with Mariolga Calderon, director of marketing and public relations; Regina Lacayo, senior public relations manager, as well as distinguished members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s board — James Bernhardt, Olga Guilarte and Barry Stein. Even Santa Claus made an appearance.
“We’re incredibly honored to be able to host this event for the 36th year in a row and we are extremely grateful to Swire Properties Inc. for joining in as our sponsor,” Rodriguez-Roig said. “This event garners a tremendous outpouring of community support at the perfect time to get into the holiday spirit.”
One hundred percent of proceeds from the sale of trees, wreaths and adorable wooden creatures benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, which serves thousands of boys and girls in Miami-Dade County with positive programs year-round.
“We are proud to have been given the opportunity to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, as we believe that Swire has a responsibility to the communities we serve,” said Kieran Bowers, president of Swire Properties. “These trees are not only a fun way to spread holiday cheer, but also a way to help prepare Miami’s youth for bright futures.”
The gorgeous and fragrant Fraser firs were hand-selected in North Carolina by Rodriguez-Roig.
The Christmas City Centre Tree lot is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s Hank Kline Club, 2805 SW 32 Ave. The lot will remain open until all the trees are sold.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, visit www.bgcmia.org.
