Photos: Local Christmas Tree Sale Helps the Needy

's annual benefits needy families on the Route 1 corridor.

Proceeds from the project supports the church's outreach ministry, who then make a donation to local charities.

On Sunday afternoon, plenty of trees were lined up at the church, waiting to be purchased, and volunteers helped keep the sale moving smoothly. 

Mount Vernon resident Drew Barnes has volunteered for the Christmas tree project since he was 8 years-old. He and his family are still members of the church. He brought his wife, Samantha, and their three kids to help out at this year's sale.

"You get to know people pretty well that you go to church with," Barnes said. "You get to meet new families and make a lot of good memories."

Longtime parishioner Sy Beirdux has volunteered at the sale every year since 1968. The church donates 75 trees to Fort Belvoir personnel and local charities including UCM and Rising Hope, said Beirdux.

The Christmas Tree Project is open daily from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Suggested donation for a tree is $25 to $30.