Instead of placing a live Christmas tree by the curb for the trash, people may contact members of Cub Scout Pack 20 of Atglen, who will pick it up for a donation on Saturday, Jan. 10. The collected trees are recycled and used for mulch.

Those with trees to recycle are asked to remove all decorations prior to pickup. "We pick up trees in Parkesburg, Cochranville, Christiana, Atglen and Gap. We basically ask people for an at-will donation," said Nick Michalski, committee chair, noting that the Scouts also collected trees on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. "The parents meet up with some Scouts, and we go around to the houses. We take most of the trees to the Christiana Lions Club Park, where they are cut up and mulched."

Some trees are also taken to Minch Park in Parkesburg. "Some people enjoy us coming to pick up their tree, and it supports Cub Scouts," Michalski added.

Those interested in the service are asked to send an email to pack20leadership@gmail.com. Donations are accepted by PayPal, Venmo, cash or check.

"We send out a confirmation email, and we ask that the trees be curbside," Michalski noted. "(The number of trees) has dropped a little, but last year we got between 15 and 20 trees. I let people know that this is a way that your tree will not go to a landfill. It will be mulched up."

Proceeds from donations will be used for Scouting activities. "We, as a Cub Pack, offer this service, and donations support the Scouts. We use the money for a camping trips, for special activities and for Scouts that might not be able to afford Cub Scouting," Michalski said.

The Cub Scouts will take part in a winter camping trip from Friday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 18, at the J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation in Newmanstown. "One hundred percent of donations help fund the events we do with the pack and gets (the Scouts) outside and being active," he said.

Cub Scouts is open to youths from kindergarten through fifth grade. Pack 20 meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Atglen Sportsmen's Club, 82 Creek Road, Christiana. Prospective members are welcome.

"We are constantly looking for people to come and try out Scouting," Michalski added. "It's one of these programs where there is great value to it."

To learn more, contact the Cub Scouts at the previously mentioned email address.