Haskell firm provides Christmas trees to people who cannot afford their own

Photo by Holly Stewart

Haskell Paving's flatbed trailer was loaded with Christmas trees ready to deliver to underprivileged families in Newark on the morning of Dec. 13. From left are Alex Gramling, Bob Bailey Jr., Bob "Boots" Bailey Sr., Jeff Bailey, and Eddie Hubschmitt.

Just after 8 a.m. on a chilly Dec. 13, the engine of Haskell Paving's flatbed trailer rumbled to life in the firm's driveway off Ringwood Avenue. Instead of carrying heavy equipment to a local construction job, however, it held scores of Christmas trees on their way to Newark, where they would be donated to underprivileged families through the work of a charity called Christmas Tree Santas.

While the truck warmed up, Haskell Paving's owner Bob "Boots" Bailey held court in a little office up the hill with his sons Jeff and Bob Bailey and their friends Eddie Hubschmitt and Alex Gramling. After pointing at Gramling and saying, "There's your Santa Claus," Boots Bailey told Suburban Trends that the idea to give away Christmas trees to those who might otherwise not be able to afford them came about "when the guys were sitting around playing poker one night."

Gramling and the younger Bob Bailey have been friends and business partners for many years. Along with Ted Justiss, the two friends started Christmas Tree Santas four years ago. Their mission is to spread holiday hope and joy by giving Christmas trees to families in need.

"We were already doing it in Atlanta and where I live in Massachusetts," Gramling said. "Then Hurricane Sandy hit the following year and we thought we should try to help people out in New Jersey after that."

Following a short search for a foundation to work with, they decided to partner with Merit Preparatory Charter School in Newark. This is their third year heading down to the Brick City, where they set up a little tree stand and hold a Christmas party for a few hours.

Representatives from Merit Prep do the work of finding appropriate tree recipients in the weeks preceding delivery.

"The families have all signed up in advance," Gramling said. "They love it. We get a lot of smiles from them."

Gramling said that 125 trees would be distributed in Newark, but that is only a small part of the Christmas Tree Santas' story.

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Haskell firm provides Christmas trees to people who cannot afford their own