Operating Christmas tree lots in Frisco has become a fundraising tradition for Troop 51.

The annual event started in 2003 at the troop's charter location, Frisco First United Methodist Church.

In 2008, the troop was invited to start another tree lot in Frisco Square on Main Street, between World Cup Way and Coleman Boulevard.

"They range from petite Scotch Pines that brighten apartment homes to majestic Douglas and Fraser Firs that fill great rooms in Frisco with Christmas spirit," said Matthew Drinjak, an Eagle Scout, troop committee member and "tree boss" for the year. "Our prices vary by type and size of tree, starting at $15 for our petite trees up to $125 for our largest Frasers."

The lots are built by the scouts and staffed by the scouts and their families with oversight from adult scouters.

"The staffing is based on family units to encourage family participation in Scouting and to display Scouting family life to our community," Drinjak said. "Our motivation, at the heart of the tree lot, is service to others. Our main goal is to offer our charter organization and our greater community a way to brighten their winter holidays with a bit of natural beauty."

The community service opportunity is combined with the opportunity for scouts to raise money for scouting activities. The share each scout receives is related to the number of shifts they work.

"This offers a real-life personal management lesson on work versus reward," Drinjak said.

Because the profit sharing is done on a per scout basis, the scouts are able to choose the activities they want to use the funds to pay for.

"By working the tree lots, many of our Scouts are able to pay for a good portion of the fees for a week long Circle 10 Council Summer Camp, our annual multi-day Troop 51 canoe trip to the Buffalo River In Arkansas, or even a portion of a semi-annual crew of older Scouts going to one of the four BSA High Adventure Bases around the nation," Drinjak said.

Boy Scout Troop 51 consists of 80 families and close to 90 scouts.

"Whether the young man is a newly active Scout Rank at the beginning of his journey or a tenured Eagle Scout who has achieved Scouting's top rank, Troop 51 draws strength from our history to ensure our young men are prepared. for life," Drinjak said.