As trees piled up next to a tree chipper, and cans and bottles were being sorted into separate recycling containers, 91原创 firefighter and paid-on-call captain Mark Scelsa was encouraging people to drop by with donations at the former Gabby鈥檚 Country Cabaret site, now a vacant lot on the corner of 203rd Street and Fraser Highway.

鈥淚f you鈥檝e got a tree to dispose of or some bottles, please come on by,鈥� Scelsa told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all here to help receive your trees and bottles and I look forward to seeing everybody supporting 91原创 City Fire Rescue Services and our local community.鈥�

It was Saturday, Jan. 6, the first of two days that the paid-on-call charity fund was to set up at 20297 Fraser Hwy., with a ladder truck raising a tree high in the air to make the site easier to spot.

Tree were disposed of for a minimum $10 donation.

Cash contributions and bottle and cans were accepted, and the Rendezvous Pub was cooking up hot dogs and hamburgers, serving food and drink by donation.

Funds raised from the event will go to local charities and community initiatives, including , a national charitable organization that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis.

While a tally wasn鈥檛 immediately available, as of Monday, Scelsa said it appeared contributions were up from the previous year.

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Other Sunday, Jan. 7, tree chipping events in 91原创 included:

鈥� Walnut Grove Secondary fundraiser: Realtor Kelly Hagen, Taryn Guiel Real Estate Team and Arbor Pro Tree Services Ltd. host chipping by donation to benefit WGSS. Chipping is at the school, 8919 Walnut Grove Dr., from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

鈥� Christmas tree disposal fundraiser: Drive-thru set up for by-donation disposal is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, at 91原创 Fundamental Elementary, 21789 50th Ave.. Murrayville Plumbing and Ethos Landscaping donating proceeds to Copper for Kids non-profit foundation.