What is a labor of love?
For some, it might look like tirelessly repairing that old car in the garage and for others, sitting down every night to pick at that manuscript that’s been in the works for years. For the Paules family, it looks like this:
A winding gravel drive leads to a small parking lot, in front of which dozens of trees sit beneath twinkling lights. People mill about, checking out the trees or talking to friendly faces in black hoodies. Cheerful holiday music plays, just audible over the sound of trees being prepped to bring home for decoration. A small handmade shed, a place for photos with Santa, stands proudly beside tables of donation boxes and baked goods.
This is Angel Tree Farms, a volunteer-run nonprofit located in Alburtis— more specifically, in the sprawling backyard of the Paules family. Angel Tree Farms (ATF) works a little differently than most other Christmas tree farms. The industry standard for purchasing a Christmas tree is about $10 per foot. The ATF standard is just what you are able to give and that money goes right to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.
“Giving to us helps families who need it,” the founder of ATF, Bill Paules, explains. Anything that customers can give is appreciated, no matter the amount.
“No judgment…It’s completely up to your discretion,” Spencer Paules, daughter of Bill Paules, says about the process of donating at ATF. They, along with other family members and friends of the Paules’, make up much of the volunteer staffing at the farm.
“If I were to put out a message it would be, ‘please come.’ If you’re interested in any way, shape, or form, come out and see it for yourself…and if it’s not your groove, that’s completely okay,” S. Paules continues. “If this speaks to you, come speak to us, because we’re good listeners…and we meet such great people.”
With the help of these great people, ATF made $1,000 their first year in operation. The next, $5,000. Last year, they made $11,000. A grand total of $16,000 was donated in full to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley over the course of three years.
This year, as of Dec. 4, ATF has surpassed last year’s total by nearly $5,000, bringing them to a tentative 2023 total of more than the past three years combined— and that’s with nearly two weeks left of business. On the same date, only 70 trees remained available on the farm, with some discussion of acquiring more to keep up with demand.
“I care about this more than anything…It means the world to me,” B. Paules shares. His dedication is clear. The kindness and authenticity radiating from the people at Angel Tree Farms is stunning. It is well worth a visit. Even if you leave without a tree, you’ll be taking the spirit of the ATF catchphrase home with you— “Growing generosity in our community.”
