Natalie Zimmerman, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and member of the cheer team, tosses out a dead Christmas tree as part of a fundraiser for the team during 2019. (Natalie Zimmerman | Courtesy photo)

Natalie Zimmerman, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and member of the cheer team, tosses out a dead Christmas tree as part of a fundraiser for the team during 2019. (Natalie Zimmerman | Courtesy photo)

Win-win: JDHS cheerleading team to recycle trees to fundraise

Money will help them travel to competitions and equip the team

As the holidays draw to a chilly close, at least one group of people hopes to benefit from the wave of suddenly but unsurprisingly surplus Christmas trees.

“This fundraiser is to help raise money,” said Natalie Zimmerman, a Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior and member of the team during a phone interview. “We’re traveling to California this year. We’re also traveling to state (championships). We’re also getting new uniforms.”

Members of the team will pick up dead trees for a small fee and drop them off at the recycling center on the next two Saturdays. Zimmerman said the team has held the fundraiser for the last several years, since 2017.

”It pays for hotels and airfare and that kind of stuff,” Zimmerman said. “Last summer we went to a UCA (Universal Cheerleading Association) camp and we had to fundraise for that.”

Zimmerman said the teams raised more than $21,000 last year for travel and team expenses, and will need to raise more this year.

“We don’t get any funds from the school, and we have to sell trees and do raffles and do our own fundraising,” Zimmerman said. “We really appreciate the support from the community.”

The school pays for coaches and officials, but not for travel or lodging at competitions or camps.

Dylan Vernon, a student at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and member of the cheer team, collects a dead Christmas tree as part of a fundraiser for the team during 2019. (Natalie Zimmerman | Courtesy photo)

Dylan Vernon, a student at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and member of the cheer team, collects a dead Christmas tree as part of a fundraiser for the team during 2019. (Natalie Zimmerman | Courtesy photo)

The cheer team often travels with the basketball team, which will be competing soon here in Juneau in the regional conference. If JDHS makes it to the state basketball tournament, Zimmerman said, the cheer team will stick around after their own tournament to cheer them on. The JDHS cheer team has done well, winning their division or the state competition outright for two out of the last three championships.

While the tree removal isn’t a major money-maker for the team, Zimmerman said, it does generate goodwill within the community, which helps.

Got a tree to get rid of?

To offload your Christmas tree, call or text (907)723-6580. Pickups will be on Jan. 4 and 11 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The cost is $10, payable by cash or check made out to JDHS Cheer, either in an envelope or handed over in person.

“We ask that all decorations are taken off and it’s left in the front yard or driveway,” Zimmerman said. “We usually do really well on the second weekend that we do it because people are ready to take down their Christmas decorations.”


• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.


More in Sports

Public lands are a unique privilege that Americans should relish and protect. (Photo courtesy Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: The comment section: Where discourse goes to die

Someone always takes it upon themselves to filter a post, headline, story or ideas through their political view and come up with a divisive hot take.

2024 Olympic wrestling gold medalist Amit Elor, 21, right, demonstrates a counter tie on Wasilla High School junior Taryn Wright, 16, during the Juneau Girls Wrestling Clinic on Tuesday at the Juneau Wrestling Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Alaska wrestlers take on Olympic and world champion at Juneau camp

Gold medalist Amit Elor shows girls path to success

The dainty little flowers of sheep sorrel are either male or female, but not both. (Photo courtesy Mary F. Willson)
On the Trails: Butterworts, leaf rollers, and invasive flowers

On a bright, sunny day in mid-June, a friend and I strolled… Continue reading

The juniors start at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage’s Zuber, Flagstad capture junior Mount Marathon races

Kenai’s Boonstra takes 2nd in junior girls race

Anchorage's Klaire Rhodes, 27, wins the women's race at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage’s Rhodes defends women’s Mount Marathon crown

With Seward stuffed with people for 97th running of the Mount Marathon… Continue reading

David Norris, 34, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, wins the men's race at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Norris goes 6 for 6 in Mount Marathon men’s race; Moore’s streak ends at 54 races

One streak lived while another streak ended during a brilliantly sunny men’s… Continue reading

Swimmers race in Saturday’s Open Water Swim Series on Auke Lake. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Open Water Swim gives swimmers strokes

Theme of no lines, no lanes, no limits inspires

Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 third baseman Madden Mendoza tags out Palmer Post 15 base runner Reed Craner (2) during Juneau’s 7-6 win over Palmer in American Legion Baseball action Sunday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Legion baseball team sweeps Palmer

Ludeman hits walk-off, Auke Bay Post 25 defeats Palmer Post 15

Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 batter Noah Lewis is hit by a pitch during American Legion action against South Post 4 earlier this season. Juneau will play a home series against Palmer Post 15 Saturday through Monday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Auke Bay Post 25 splits games in Anchorage

Juneau’s American Legion team will host Palmer this weekend

Most Read