Rudy's Christmas Trees donates trees to former foster youth

Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree! Donating trees is one man's way of giving back. Rudy Padrol of Rudy's Christmas Trees For A Cause works with a number of nonprofits, including A Sense of Home for former foster youth.

Last weekend, in Venice, ASOH held its annual Christmas party, with Padrol donating a tree to each of their former foster youth.

You'll find him tying and tightening a tree to go atop a car.

Padrol says, "I got to see the joys, the tears, of last Christmas. And we’re helping out with more families."

He brought along his buddy Santa to the A Sense of Home Christmas party. Some of the former foster youth now have their own children and families.

ASOH does what they call "home creations." When a young adult who's experienced foster care secures housing, the nonprofit makes it move-in ready, with furniture and all the fixings.

Padrol says he gets it. "Well, you know, growing up, it was other people who helped me, especially when I left home at 14."

Padrol and his team earlier this year did a home creation alongside a crew of volunteers. "We built a home together. I saw it working."

With the backdrop being the First Lutheran Church in Venice, Rudy’s Christmas Trees also set up a pop-up shop, with a percentage of the sales last weekend going to the nonprofit.

Rachel Stich, A Sense of Home's executive director, says, "We’re so grateful for him."

Each year, Padrol treks to collect the perfect pick for 'tis the season. It takes him to the lush green great outdoors, Oregon! There's nothing like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree.

The holidays can be tough for people who've experienced foster care. As for the party, attendee Michelle Gutierrez says, "To be here, I don’t even have a family; to see all my friends, it just brings so much joy. So today is like Christmas for me."

Rudy stuffed and shoved… tied on, just right… trees to go for that Christmas night.