The lights will be on again this year at Santa Rosa, aka Christmas Tree Lane, starting at 5 PM Dec. 13 -- but after that is anybody's guess.
While getting volunteers to string up the bulbs is hasn't been a problem, Altadena's annual seasonal attraction is suffering a lack of volunteers on the board level, says Tony Ward, first vice-president of the Christmas Tree Lane Association.
The board can range in size from 11 to 15 members. This year, there are 11 official board members, but only seven are substantially active, Ward said, and they barely get a quorum for meetings.
Also tying the board's hands is its tax status: as a 501(c)4 organization -- classified as an historical landmark -- total donations and income are limited to $24,999 per year, and donations are not tax-deductible. Changing tax status would require a more expert and active board, Ward said, especially persons with accounting and nonprofit experience. "Finding someone for accounting has been a real struggle for us," Ward said.
With the present tax status and small board size, the Association's hands are tied in terms of what it wants to do -- Ward said that a lot of volunteer time is spent just testing and replacing the incandescent bulbs that comprise the display. Switching to energy-efficient and more durable LED lighting is out of the question on the Association's budget and with its tax status, unless some individual or business donates them outright, Ward said.
Joining the Association and its board is not limited to residents of Christmas Tree Lane, Ward said -- over 85% of the volunteers in fact are not residents. For more information, call 626-403-1123 or call Ward directly at 626-926-5045.
