PANAMA CITY – Saturday’s dreary weather did not deter the Boys & Girls Club of Bay County from honoring a past board member by dedicating and renaming its Christmas tree sale lot after him.
Bill Haisten served on the club’s board of directors for about 40 years, and the annual Christmas tree sale was his “pet project,” according to Paul Mosca, the Boys & Girls Club’s chief professional officer.
“We wanted to dedicate something in his honor,” Mosca said.
Club volunteers grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and served chips, drinks and cake to shoppers as they browsed Christmas trees and wreaths and children had their faces painted at the lot at the corner of Beck Avenue and 23rd Street. During the brief ceremony, Haisten’s friends and family shared memories of him.
“So often at the board meetings, we ask each other ‘What would Mr. H think? What would H do?’ So he’s still serving today,” Patrick Ryan, president of the board of directors, told family members and supporters.
Others spoke of Haisten’s service to the community. He helped “between five and 10” Boy Scouts achieve Eagle Scout level, said Mosca, and mentored thousands of others.
“He taught us what it truly means to be a servant — a servant to children, a servant to the community,” board member Bill Dozier said.
Two of Haisten’s children serve on the board and a third one had served previously.
Family members said they appreciated that the club thought so much of Haisten that they would name the lot after him.
The William Hasten Christmas Tree Lot and the club’s lot at Pier Market in Panama City Beach are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Sales will continue until no trees of wreaths are left.
Trees also are available from the club at Mid-South Lumber in Youngstown.
Ryan said the Christmas tree sale is the club’s biggest fundraiser every year, usually bringing in about $30,000.
